Amani Eltahir Babekir

I enjoyed the welcoming spirit in the Swahili day yesterday. It was a good opportunity to network with the beautiful international communities and leadership in Greensboro.

NC Folk Fest, great opportunity for families to enjoy art, music and creativity from different communities in Greensboro. Mark your calendar

الشكر لكل من دعم وشارك في العملية الانتخابية للجنة الاستشارية للجاليات في مدينة قرينسبورو في اليوم العالمي للاجئين
Thank you to the organizers, volunteers and voters
who participated in the International Advisory Committee election

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More than 400 Greensboro residents selected five new leaders of the City’s International Advisory Committee (IAC) at the group’s sixth election, held June 21 in conjunction with the community’s World Refugee Day at Hester Park. Members of the leadership team represent five different countries and will serve for two years.

Since 2015, Greensboro’s immigrant and refugee communities have biennially selected leaders to guide the IAC’s work. The new leadership team members and country of origin are as follows:
• Chair: Amani Babekir, PhD (Sudan)
• Vice Chairs: Maricruz Hernandez (Mexico), Laila Hosseinzadeh (USA/Iran)
• Secretary: Zam Tapia (Peru)
• Executive Member: Shahpeerai Aimaq (Afghanistan)

Babekir succeeds outgoing IAC Chair Fanta Dorley and becomes the third consecutive chair from an African nation. She works locally as a lead scientist in the food safety industry. Babekir has chaired national advisory committees and collaborated with industry and government leaders to shape policies. She holds a doctorate in applied science and technology from NC A&T State University and serves as Secretary for Women and Children Affairs at the non-profit Sudan House.

“[I want to] ensure the voice of all international communities is heard,” Babekir said. “I will focus on breaking barriers for international communities by overcoming language obstacles, expanding access to jobs, and fostering business growth to build a city where diversity is embraced.”

Hernandez migrated to the United States from Mexico as a child and serves as the community engagement manager for FaithAction International, a nonprofit immigrant and refugee service provider in Greensboro. She works closely with many immigrants as the organization’s office manager and volunteer coordinator. Hernandez helps clients adjust to their new environments by providing basic needs, an understanding of basic legal rights, and access to services.

Hosseinzadeh has worked with Greensboro’s refugee and immigrant community for the past nine years, first as a volunteer resettlement mentor at Church World Service and later with AmeriCorps, where she served as an educational program coordinator at New Arrivals Institute and as a case manager at the Center for New North Carolinians. She has also taught English for Speakers of Other Languages at Guilford Technical Community College and worked as a community impact specialist for the United Way of Greater Greensboro.

Fluent in four languages, Tapia is an active member of Greensboro’s immigrant community. She has supported international voices by organizing cultural events, assisting with bilingual outreach, and creating spaces where their stories can be shared. Tapia has also coordinated dance classes, community meetings, and celebrations that unite immigrant communities.

Aimaq is an employment specialist and refugee case manager with the Montagnard Association of North Carolina. Originally from Afghanistan, she has helped numerous individuals secure stable jobs, integrate into new communities, and achieve financial independence. Aimaq has guided newcomers through the employment process and helped them overcome language barriers to build a successful foundation in the United States.

The following individuals also participated in the election and will serve as IAC ambassadors: Volodymyr Lyashchenko (Ukraine), Nghieng Nay (Vietnam), and Lilly Primo-Jimina (Federated States of Micronesia).

Established in 2008, the IAC works to create a more inclusive Greensboro for members of the international community. Comprised of individuals whose national origin lies outside of the United States, the committee promotes the perspective of the City’s international community to the Human Rights Commission and City Council. Visit www.greensboro-nc.gov/iac for more information.