Politics & Government

Group Formed to Help Integrate Immigrants in Atlanta

According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the metropolitan Atlanta region total foreign-born population exceeds the national average of immigrants. More than 13 percent of citizens are immigrants.

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Mayor Kasim Reed announced this week the creation of the Welcoming Atlanta Working Group (WAWG). The 21-member group will develop recommendations to address the gaps in integration of Atlanta’s newly arrived communities.

The WAWG will assist City of Atlanta staff in the assessment and implementation of recommendations, as well as serve as agents in the community to ensure that efforts to enhance the quality of life of immigrants are being implemented, and that the City is playing an active role in creating a more inclusive community.

“Last year, the City of Atlanta pledged to become a welcoming city that respects the cultural and economic contributions of immigrants,” said Reed in a news release. “The creation of the Welcoming Atlanta Working Group is another step forward in strengthening our city’s standing as a global and inclusive community. I am confident that the recommendations provided to my administration will bring forward innovative ideas that position Atlanta as a national leader on this important issue.”

The WAWG will be chaired by Mayor Reed and co-chaired by Jeffrey Tapia, executive director of The Latin American Association, and Charles Kuck, managing partner of Kuck Immigration Partners. The group will break into subcommittees to focus on five key areas of immigrant integration: ensuring equitable access to services; expanding educational opportunities; facilitating economic empowerment; enhancing public safety and fostering a connected community; and building immigrant civic engagement and leadership. The subcommittees will meet regularly between now and August, when they are expected to provide recommendations to Mayor Reed. From brainstorming to implementation, the WAWG will play a pivotal role in elevating Atlanta as a welcoming city in the southeast.

“Mayor Reed’s commitment to build a more inclusive and welcoming environment for our immigrant community could not come at a better time,” Co-Chair Jeffrey Tapia remarked in the release. “Every day the LAA serves hundreds of individuals who are working hard to get ahead, but lack some of the basic opportunities afforded to other Atlantans. We applaud Mayor Reed for his leadership and initiative to provide much needed hope and assistance to our immigrant communities.”

In October 2013, the City of Atlanta joined the Welcoming Cities and Counties, an initiative of Welcoming America – a national, grassroots-driven collaborative that works to promote mutual respect and cooperation between foreign-born and native-born Americas. As one of 33 U.S. cities participating in the initiative, Atlanta has access to new tools and resources to help advance welcoming resolutions, initiatives and strategies, receive support for efforts to foster more vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming communities and participate in national and translantic learning exchanges that highlight best practices from globally competitive cities.

According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the metropolitan Atlanta region total foreign-born population exceeds the national average of immigrants. More than 13 percent of citizens are immigrants.

Members of the Welcoming Atlanta Working Group include:

  • Co-Chair: Jeffrey Tapia, Executive Director, The Latin American Association
  • Co-Chair: Charles Kuck, Managing Partner, Kuck Immigration Partners
  • Rudy Beserra, Vice President of Latin Affairs, The Coca-Cola Company
  • Alejandro Cross, President, Latin American Chamber of Commerce
  • Walter Dukes, Metro Atlanta Region Senior Vice President, Georgia Power
  • Jason Esteves, Board Member, Atlanta Public School Board of Education
  • Jerry Gonzalez, Executive Director, Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials
  • Helen Kim Ho, Executive Director, Asian American Legal Advocacy Center
  • Walter Jackson, Vice President, Operation Hope
  • Eloisa Klementich, Managing Director Business Development, Invest Atlanta
  • Pedro Marin, Representative, House District 96
  • Z. Illeana Martinez, Partner, Thompson Hine
  • Chuck Meadows, Vice President of Public Policy, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
  • Kathy Palumbo, Director of Community Partnerships, The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta
  • Emily Pelton, Chair, Coalition of Refugee Serving Agencies
  • Hon. Ricardo Cámara Sánchez, Consul General, Consulate General of Mexico, Atlanta
  • Liz Sanford, Manager of Community Engagement, Atlanta Regional Commission
  • Ivan Shammas, General Manager, Telemundo Atlanta
  • Martina Stellmaszek, President & CEO, German American Chamber of Commerce
  • Tisha Tallman, President & CEO, Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
  • Ambassador Geoffrey Teneilabe, Consul General, Consulate General of Nigeria, Atlanta


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