Portrait’s of Immigrant Voices features the stories of 22 immigrants who have come to Richmond, Virginia from around the world to become our neighbors. They are the stories of our city. The author proceeds will benefit Afghan and Asian refugees who have settled in Virginia in a fund set up and managed by The Asian American Society of Central Virginia, a non-profit charitable 501(c)(3) organization.
By Joe Kutchera
Portraits by Alfonso Pérez Acosta
Designed by Tida Tep
The Asian American Society of Central Virginia (AASoCV) graciously facilitated the book’s publication to honor its 24th Annual Asian American Celebration. Many thanks to the AASoCV for sponsoring the book and making it happen.
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“There is no one story of Richmond. That’s what makes our city vibrant. I’m so grateful we’ve been able to partner with such talented local creatives to give all of us a more complete understanding of the experiences of our neighbors.”
— RICHMOND MAYOR LEVAR STONEY
Where to Purchase
You can buy our book at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, VMFA Bookstore, or at Shelf Life Books RVA in the Carytown neighborhood in Richmond, Virginia. You can also purchase it directly from the Asian American Society of Central Virginia. And in the meantime, you can read the introduction to the book on my blog and write a review of it on Google Books.
About the Project
Our project initially began in an organic way. In August 2020, I received a call from Karla Almendarez-Ramos, who manages the City of Richmond’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Engagement (OIRE). She asked me if I would be interested in and available to write profiles of immigrants as a celebration for National Immigrants’ Day on October 28, 2020. Richmond-based Colombian artist, teacher and muralist, Alfonso Pérez Acosta, had pitched the idea to Karla after crafting his initial computer-drawn portraits.
I immediately told her yes, that I would love to work on the project. I have written about and reflected on the subject of immigrants’ journeys previously, both interviewing recent immigrants and reflecting on my own family’s migration from Eastern Europe to the United States. My wife, Lulu, who is from Mexico City, and I first moved to Richmond in 2013.
National Immigrants’ Day has been celebrated since 1986, but mostly in places like New York City. We wanted to bring this celebration to Richmond, Virginia to highlight the diversity of its community and the variety of languages spoken (in addition to English). With the support of a grant from Virginia Humanities, we unveiled the portraits on October 28th, National Immigrants Day, on RVAStrong.org/portraits and published updates regularly through Thanksgiving, to honor our subject’s themes of gratitude. The exhibit’s social media campaign ran through December 18th, which the United Nations has named International Migrants Day as a testament to humanity’s “will to overcome adversity and live a better life.”
Photo by Alexa Welch Edlund for The Richmond Times-Dispatch
Used with permission from Lee Enterprises
Video Conversations About Our Project
And watch our virtual author talk at Richmond Public Library here:
Table of Contents
12 Foreword 14 Introduction 16 Process 18 Peace Be Upon You 22 Living the American Dream 26 Breaking Out of My Comfort Zone 30 Fostering Peace and Building Bridges 34 Serving Our Country, Serving Those in Need 38 A New Name 42 Urgent Request for The Neighbors 46 Sensory Scientist 50 An Adventure 54 Positive Economic Impact 58 Persistence |
62 Bridging the Gaps 66 Honorable Princess 70 From Hardship Comes Strength 74 A Place to Call Home 78 A Beautiful Life 82 Culture Shock 86 Let Virginia Remain a Welcoming State 90 The Pen Is Mightier Than the Sword 96 Career Pivot 100 Diversity, Equality and Harmony 104 To Go to America 111 Acknowledgements 113 About Us 114 Designer Notes |
ISBN 978-0-578-39572-2
Press Mentions
Virginia Public Media
Asians make up Virginia’s largest immigrant population
By Angie Miles
RVA MAG
Profile of Chef Hamid Noori / Afghanistan
By Joe Kutchera
Richmond Magazine
Letter from the Editor: Hopes and Dreams – Stories of immigrants to Richmond who left everything they knew behind to venture into the unknown home
By Jessica Ronky Haddad
Richmond Magazine
Hear My Voice A new book shares the stories of 22 immigrants who now call Richmond home
By Joe Kutchera
Forli Today (Italy)
Lasciò Forlì da ragazzo e ha vissuto in tutti e 5 i continenti: la sua storia è ora in un libro americano sui “figli del mondo”
By Elisabetta Boninsegna
Richmond Times-Dispatch
During Immigrant Heritage Month, Richmond-area residents reflect on their path to Virginia
By Sabrina Moreno
Richmond Magazine
Meet Your Neighbors: The ‘Portraits of Immigrant Voices’ exhibition shines light on Richmond’s rich immigrant community
By Holly Rodriguez
Richmond Times-Dispatch
In new portrait series launched by Richmond-area artist, local immigrants share their stories
By Sabrina Moreno
Richmond Family Magazine
“Portraits of Immigrant Voices” at RVAStrong Honors Immigrant Contribution in Virginia
By RFM Staff
Univision.com
International migrants’ day: honoring the ability to overcome adversity and live a better life
By Joe Kutchera
Univision.com
Día Internacional del Migrante: honrando la capacidad de superar la adversidad y vivir una vida mejor
By Joe Kutchera