Immigrant tradition at Edison dates back to 1922

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In the 1933 Wizard yearbook, Edison High School Assistant Principal Ruth Fitch Cole wrote an open letter to students. “One of your ancestors left home, friends, and country to come to a new home and to adopt a new country. I do not know whether he came with those first settlers in the New England wilderness or whether he came with you in his arms. …May you, his descendant, be brave to undertake; may you work hard to overcome; and may you have that faith and hope which accomplishes.” Through its entire 85 years, Edison High School has been a home to immigrants. In 1933, the yearbook noted that students came from 23 different nations. Continue Reading

Tanzanians Trade Food for Financial Advice

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The generosity of the Tanzanian people resident in Minnesota was manifest Saturday as they entertained their friends at “A Taste of Tanzania”, an event that had more food than the crowd could handle. The celebration of the East African country’s food and culture was held at the Center for Families in North Minneapolis and attracted scores of Tanzanians and their friends, who enjoyed the country’s vast cuisine and even took some home. Colorful Tanzanian kitenge and msuli fabrics were on sale while the country’s stimulating music kept the guests entertained. Spiced rice dishes (pilau), chicken, beef, Tanzanian home pastries like samosas and maandazi, boiled cassava, corn-beans mix (makande) and banana soup (mtori) were some of the traditional items that Tanzanians in Minnesota prepared under the stewardship of their organization, Umoja Society. Tanzanians mingled with their invited guests for networking, as well as listening to presentations made by various invited speakers from organizations such as the African Development Center of Minnesota, whose representative advised on how to navigate the American financial system, which many African immigrants find challenging. Continue Reading