Municipal governments have seen many firsts in recent years, as more people from other countries have stepped up and run for public office. We’ll talk with some of the immigrants who hold elected office in Maine to learn about their backgrounds, why they chose to serve—whether on City Council or School Board—and hear their views on the growing role of immigrants in Maine. We’ll also discuss how their perspectives have forwarded more efforts toward racial justice statewide.
Guests
Tae Chong, Portland City Council; director, social enterprise and workforce development, Catholic Charities Maine; originally from South Korea
Deqa Dhalac, South Portland City Council; family engagement and cultural responsiveness specialist, Maine Department of Education; originally from Somalia
Claude Rwaganje (call-in), Westbrook City Councilor At Large; executive director, Prosperity Maine; originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo
Pious Ali (call-in), Portland City Council; policy associate, Cutler Institute, University of Southern Maine; originally from Ghana
Soubanh Phanthay (call-in), Brewer City Council; owner, Memorymaker Photography; from Thailand
Resources
- As Maine Goes
- Migration Policy Institute: Maine Demographics
- Tae Chong: Helping New Mainers
- Maine Live: Pious Ali
- Pious Ali: Using Faith as a Tool for Empowerment
- Racist trolls targeted a Somali refugee’s campaign. She still managed to pull off a historic victory.
- Portland mayor, city councilors denounce violence against police officers
