Finding Our Voices Today

Lina Motta is a trailblazer who naturally seeks connections with others and finds arenas for learning on her many travels in the world. Arriving in the U.S. as an au pair from Colombia, she has seized many opportunities in the academic and professional world. A natural teacher and a lifelong learner, she has tutored English as a second language while promoting social emotional health and building...

Ewurakua Dawson-Amoah is an artist with a rich cultural heritage as the daughter of Ghanaian and St. Lucian immigrants. She grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood, which shaped her approach to storytelling from a very young age. As a twin and the youngest of four siblings, her early choices in high school significantly influenced her path. Today, her passion for social justice and racial eq...

Yelena Klompus came to the U.S. with a purpose. In an effort to keep her family safe and raise her son with better access to healthcare, she has been able to use her academic credentials and professional experience from her native country, Russia, to create impactful library programs in the U.S. As the Manager of Multicultural and English Language Literacy Programs at the Ferguson Library in Stamf...

Marilyn Collins has committed her entire professional career to teaching literacy. Starting at the elementary level while living in VT, she decided to return to her beloved NY and begin working with adult learners. Although she officially retired a year ago in 2023 after a career spanning 40+ years, she continues to teach and mentor adult students. With an expertise in basic literacy, she also has...

Mariia Vintoniak is from Ukraine and was a working nurse before she arrived to the U.S. just 6 years ago. She has worked diligently to improve her English and learn more grammar and language skills while raising her two young girls and supporting her family’s needs. Her focus on creating a pathway to work was laser focused as she worked in a Ukrainian daycare and juggled the demands of being a wor...

Pilar Illanes is a trailblazer. A woman on a mission. Her experience in America started during the pandemic with a phone call from a family member requesting her to come help with the family business. In an act of love and service she came to help her grieving family, but what was intended to be temporary turned into an journey full of a rich love story and entrepreneurial opportunities that would...

Danielle moved to the U.S. from Jamaica with her family at an impressible and tender age. Listen to her journey as she shares the differences in schools and learning as well as the social challenges that come with being the “new girl”. The realities of trying to fit in as the new person in a new school…as a teenager…can be rough! Have a listen to her story of working as a young banking professiona...

Mayerli, an engineer, was an au pair in the U.S. for 2+ years dividing her time between Colorado and Connecticut. She traveled quite a bit during her time here but also took every advantage to learn and find pathways to education and creativity serving the community. She was part of the Youth Assembly- a platform founded in 2004 by the Friendship Ambassadors Foundation (FAF), a not-for-profit orga...

Stacia Morris is an energetic corporate professional who has authored Teen Money 101, Teen Money 101 Teacher’s Guide & Teen Money 102 and is the founder of Your Life TREK. She works tirelessly to improve the quality of life for women and families with a focus on financial literacy, financial health & wellness, as well as professional leadership coaching. She holds a Certificate of Advanced Graduat...

Dr. Jose Mesquita is a Professor of Marketing from Brazil who has been in the U.S. for 6 years. As a visiting research professor at UCONN in Stamford, he has engaged in research and collaborative global partnerships in the academic arena of marketing. Additionally, he has successfully published numerous academic articles as well as an instructional manual for researchers and students titled, Marke...

Fernanda Ramos, is our second interview of the podcast and we are thrilled she is sharing her incredible personal story with us. She arrived in the U.S. with a two year old and her husband just a year before COVID, and if quarantining wasn’t hard enough to stay healthy, how do you make friends, expand your language skills, and build a new community during a pandemic? Listen to our podcast to find...

Nancy Meckel is an experienced instructor of adult learners of English and she is deeply committed to building a culturally responsive community of learners who support and respect one another. Nancy honors and values the previous education, work, and life experience that her students bring to the country. In addition to teaching ESL classes at all levels, she is the founder of American English Gu...

Kelly Ha, LCSW, is a first generation American with an incredible journey rooted in rich family history and perseverance. She has navigated many barriers to achieve personal happiness and professional success. As an LCSW, she is on a mission to create awareness and a cultural shift that will impact generations to come. Listen and learn about her journey! I think you'll all agree, she is just getti...

This podcast is committed to celebrating the immigrant's journey to the U.S.A. and the process of learning how to navigate a new culture, new language, and finding resources that lead to a happy and independent life. From new arrivals, or those who have been in the country for years, you will hear inspiring interviews with adults and their family members. Additionally, you will hear stories from f...