LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Louisville Metro Office for Immigrant Affairs is celebrating Global Louisville Leadership Academy 10th cohort graduation, welcoming and empowering people who are from foreign countries to be leaders in the community.

What You Need To Know

  • The Office for Immigrant Affairs is celebrating Global Louisville Leadership Academy 10th cohort graduation

  • Twenty-six graduates from the latest class represent 13 different nationalities and speak 27 languages 

  • Last year alone, 10,000 refugees or humanitarian parolees came to Louisville almost 10% of Louisville’s population is foreign born

  • The 10th cohort graduates are creating a project called "Louisville Welcomes" to make every day Louisville information accessible to newcomers in five different languages

Graduates from the global Louisville leadership academy are already looking to use their voices to help their community. Carolina Tafur is one of the 26 graduates from this latest class. Tafur is a first generation American. Her parents immigrated from Colombia in the 80s and she says she was born with a passion to advocate for her parents.

“So, growing up as a first generation, you see the challenges head on. You were able to see, you know, just the limited access to unfair treatment. You see it from a different lens when you’re able to be an American and know that you have rights, but then see it being portrayed differently with your parents is challenging.”

Tafur says she wants to be the connector between families like hers and the city.

“Not only are you adapting to a new language or adapting to a new country, and even sometimes it feels like a new world for a lot of people, right? So having ambassadors in the community can help. Support can help bridge the gaps.whether it be systemic help, health issues, political, even things as little as, the education system, bussing and stuff like that,” said Tafur.

Director of the Office for Immigrant Affairs Amos Izerimana says this is a six-month program to equip international and foreign-born leaders, learning about various Louisville Metro government agencies, enhance the knowledge and networks to create meaningful contributions to their communities. 

The 10th cohort had 13 different nationalities and 27 languages spoken with the 26 graduates.

“This class joins over 140 alumni who have gone through the program already. And so for me to see that we have people out there or representing, you know, the office and the city and also, you know, representing their communities to get them connected to the various services. It really shows me that, you know, there’s hope for those who are coming or they’ll continue to join our community,” said Izerimana.

Izerimana says almost 10% of Louisville’s population is foreign born.

“Last year alone, we had almost 10,000 people, for who are refugees or humanitarian parolees that came to Louisville. And so, you know, that number continues to grow each year,” said Izerimana.

Tafur says everybody has the ability to be the change maker. 

“We are all one community. And at the end of the day, and it’s how can we continue to support each other. Supporting the minority community is the only way that we all rise together,” said Tafur.

Tafur encourages others to be an advocate to stand up, listen and understand. The 10th cohort graduates are creating a project called “Louisville Welcomes” to make every day Louisville information accessible to newcomers in five different languages.

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