Mayor’s Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This initiative has been identified as a good immigrant integration practice by the NLC. Click here to find all about the other programs!

Philadelphia is the largest city in Pennsylvania with a population of 1,448,911. Eleven percent of residents are foreign-born, including a significant number of African and Caribbean immigrants.

Philadelphia’s Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs formalizes relationships between the city and immigrant communities to enrich the diversity of the city. Composed of nine members, the commission’s scope of activities include advocacy, publications, symposia, exhibitions, retreats, concerts, dialogues, debates, conferences, public forums, receptions and meetings.

The commission works to encourage the development and implementation of policies and practices intended to improve conditions affecting the cultural, social, economic, political, educational, health and general well being of African and Caribbean immigrants, refugees and asylees residing in Philadelphia. It also works to create public awareness of the rich history, geography and culture of the African continent and to engage members of the African Diaspora and American communities in a dialogue on how to strengthen bilateral relationships.

The commission has held and helped to organize multiple outreach events in the city, including

• Annual Housing Fair
• ODUNDE: one of the largest community-based street festivals in the country
• Celebrate Africa: a kick-off event dedicated to Senegal
• Echoes of Africa at the Philadelphia Zoo: forum for public discourse and education, regarding the African Diaspora

For more information about the Mayor’s Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs, please contact Stanley L. Straughter, chairman, at (215) 686-7895 or slstraughter@verizon.net.