The 5th Annual Welcome Awards Ceremony was held on Saturday, September 22 at the Urbana Free Library. The 2018 Immigrant Welcome Award recipients are:
– Business Leadership Award – Diva Nails
– Community Impact Award – Carle Community Care
– Distinguished Leadership Service Awards – Roaa Al-Heeti, Mike Doyle
– Leadership Awards – Luis Cuza, Luzolo Jean Cesar Ntedika
During the event, Mayor Feinen read a joint proclamation proclaiming Welcoming Week in Champaign and Urbana. The event included food, music, art projects for children, special guests, and featured a special performance by Ballet Folklorico Mitotiani, a local dance group that shares traditional dances from different regions of Mexico. A free reception immediately followed the event at Stango Cuisine in Lincoln Square Mall.
This marked the second year that the Cities of Champaign and Urbana joined with the CU Immigration Forum to put on this event.
