Nekessa

Nekessa

Julia Nekessa Opoti is the producer and host of Reflections of New Minnesotans on AM950 where she interviews immigrants from all over the world who have made Minnesota their home, temporary or permanent.As a writer, Nekessa has reported extensively on Somali, Liberian and other immigrant issues in the Twin Cities for the Twin Cities Daily Planet. She served as editor of Mshale, an immigrant African newspaper.Nekessa is the co-founder and publisher of the Kenya Imagine, an opinion and analysis portal that is on hiatus.For questions, tips and story ideas send her an email at nekessa@tcdailyplanet.net.

Reflections of New Minnesotans: Finding home and place

By Nekessa () | June 4, 2014

10,000 journeys to 10,000 lakes: that’s the theme for this year’s annual Twin Cities World Refugee Day celebration. [TCDP editor’s note: Twin Cities World Refugee Day is June 14.] With over 100,000 refugees resettled here, Minnesota has a rich diversity of cultures and stories from these communities.This week’s guests explore concepts of home, belonging and community in Minnesota. How do we frame positive narratives about refugees while acknowledging the tragedy of forced migration? How does Minnesota celebrate its large refugee population, beyond Minnesota Niceness? How do we celebrate Minnesota’s refugee community’s culture?Guests are: Vichet Chhuon, an assistant professor of Culture and Teaching at the University of Minnesota, Sousada Chidthachack an education activist and Jamal Adam, also an educator and a 2014 Bush Fellow. Continue Reading

Reflections of New Minnesotans: Race, culture and mental health

By Nekessa () | May 27, 2014

This weeks episode is about mental health and multicultural communities. Julia’s guest is Nneka Onyilofor, co-author of the children’s book My Brother Adam, about a family dealing with schizophrenia. [Audio below]More info on the book is available here. Continue Reading

Reflections of New Minnesotans: Queer identity, immigrants and communities of color

By Nekessa () | May 20, 2014

In this episode, Qais Munhazim joins host Julia Nekessa Opoti to discuss his own experiences as a gay, Muslim immigrant, as well as general issues of queer identity in Twin Cities communities of color. [Audio below]

#OromoProtests | Peaceful protests in Ethiopia met by violent state action

By Nekessa () | May 5, 2014

Dozens of students are killed by Ethiopian military forces following peaceful student demonstrations against the government’s Addis expansion plan that would encroach into Oromia state. Protesters want to retain a political and cultural identity within Oromia state. When implemented these expansions will threaten the livelihoods and independence of the Oromo peoples. [Audio below]

Reflection of New Minnesotans: Diaspora communities ‘pave pathways’ for human rights

By Nekessa () | April 20, 2014

Paving Pathways for Justice and Accountability is a manual for diaspora communities put together by Minnesota’s The Advocates for Human Rights. In this episode, staff from The Advocates and local immigrant and refugee activists discuss the new resource, and their experience advocating from afar for human rights in their home countries. [Audio below]

Reflections of New Minnesotans: Immigrants in American society

By Nekessa () | April 1, 2014

On this week’s episode, Julia and JP discuss immigrant communities, health care, prisons, and other current issues. [Audio below]

Reflections of New Minnesotans: Minnesota’s literary community write haikus for Gambia

By Nekessa () | February 18, 2014

Poet IBé is protective of Africa’s image. To celebrate Gambia’s 49th independence anniversary from the British, IBé has sought out 49 of Minnesota’s literary community to write haikus. Gambian Ramatoulie Jallow shares what she loves best about her homeland. What do you know about Gambia, the smallest country on continental Africa? [Audio below] Continue Reading

Reflections of New Minnesotans: Resisting the Trans-Pacific Partnership, drawing lessons from NAFTA

By Nekessa () | February 5, 2014

Julia’s guests today include Idalia Robles-De Leon, and Emilia Gonzalez Avalos. The conversation today includes the TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership). [Audio below]

Reflections of New Minnesota: Understanding the Ukraine crisis

By Nekessa () | January 28, 2014

Two months ago, Ukrainians took to the streets to protest President Viktor Yanukovych’s decision not to sign a major partnership deal with the EU. The protests have Ruslana Westerlund is a Ukrainian living in Madison, Wisconsin. She joins Julia Nekessa Opoti to discuss the conflict and how the protests are an indictment of the current administration by Ukrainians. [Audio below]

Reflections of New Minnesotans: Mexican immigrants and NAFTA

By Nekessa () | January 13, 2014

This week’s episode features a conversation with Idalia Robles about the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and its effect on Mexican immigrants. [Audio below] Continue Reading

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