DAYTON, Ohio — More than 300 people from 36 different countries came together for a celebration of refugees at the Dayton Metro Library on Saturday. It was part of a worldwide observance this month known as World Refugee Day, officially June 20.

What You Need To Know

  • More than 300 people from 36 countries shared a multi-cultural meal and entertainment

  • Welcome Dayton organized the event that included food, music and a panel discussion

  • The City of Dayton honored South African Refugee Nozipo Glenn

  • The event is part of the observance of this month's World Refugee Day, officially June 20

​The event featured music, dancing and lots of food from four continents.

“I'm so happy that I’m a part of this group I’m a lucky person,” said Sosan Anwari, 21, a refugee from Afghanistan who has been in Dayton for two years.  She owns her own henna tattoo business and shared her art with those in attendance like Amber King, a Dayton city employee who volunteered at the event.

“I just wanted to come out and support everybody and say. ‘Welcome to your new home,'" she said.

Organizers also staged a panel discussion and gave a surprise proclamation to one of the panelists, South African refugee, Nozipo Glenn, who has shared her story and helped other refugees in Dayton for more than 40 years.

“She’s always out and about trying to share her story where she comes from and bridging gaps with people who are different,” said event organizer Jeanette Horwitz of Welcome Dayton.

“I am really humbled, but it makes me want to do more because I look at it as a responsibility,” Glenn said.

She said a lot of the news coverage about America’s southern border makes it challenging for all newcomers to the U.S., no matter where they’re coming from.

“I don’t see myself as an alien, and something from outer space. I’m a human being and part of this world,” Glenn said. “So, when I look at people treated as ‘they’ over there, it really hurts me because it’s ‘we.’”

Glenn and the organizers said it all starts with breaking bread, sharing stories and customs and that’s what they will continue to do in Dayton.

World Refugee Day is an annual event designated by the United Nations to honor the courage, strength and determination of refugees.