The Expatriates Building

Juneteenth – Freedom Day
Each year on June 19, Americans commemorate Juneteenth, the day in 1865 when the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas learned they were free—more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth stands as a powerful reminder that freedom, justice, and equality have often required extraordinary courage, sacrifice, and perseverance to become reality.

Today, Juneteenth is more than a celebration of emancipation. It is a time to recognize the immeasurable contributions of Black Americans to the ongoing pursuit of a more just and inclusive nation. Many of the fundamental rights and democratic principles that Americans enjoy today were advanced through the struggle, advocacy, and leadership of Black Americans. The abolition of slavery, the adoption of the Fourteenth Amendment guaranteeing birthright citizenship, the Fifteenth Amendment protecting voting rights regardless of race, the Civil Rights Movement and its landmark legislation, Title I funding to expand educational opportunity, the establishment of the U.S. Department of Education, and the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, which eliminated discriminatory national-origin quotas that had long restricted immigration from Africa, Asia, and much of the world, all emerged from broader movements for racial justice and equal opportunity.

🎉 Another incredible Celebration of Immigrants! This Immigrant Heritage Month, our community came together for an unforgettable event to honor our shared heritage and celebrate our immigrant roots. We filled the room with joy, connection, and mouthwatering flavors of delicious food from local, immigrant-owned restaurants. Two major highlights of the celebration: recognizing the outstanding servant leaders who lift our community every single day, and $8000 in scholarships. Huge congratulations to our phenomenal 2026 award winners:
🏆 Immigrant Star
🏆 Immigrant Champion
🏆 Immigrant Entrepreneur
🏆 Immigrant Service Provider, and
🏆 International Student Scholarship recipients
Thank you to everyone who joined us, and helped us honor the vital contributions of our neighbors.

The 2026 is right around ❣️
Courtesy of Juneteenth ICT

Meet the dynamic servant leaders on the IHM2026 Committee who will be shining a light this Immigrant Heritage Month on immigrants, businesses, non-profits and those who champion the foreign-born in Kansas. 💫✨🌟

Meet the dynamic servant leaders on the IHM2026 Committee who will be shining a light on immigrants, businesses, non-profits and those who champion the foreign-born in Kansas. 💫✨🌟

begins today 🫶🙏

🎉🎊🫶

Scholarship opportunity for Kansas foreign-born students! Congrats to all the Graduates 🫶🎓👨‍🎓👩‍🎓🥳

1️⃣ Immigrant Heritage and International Students Scholarships for Kansas residents: ➡️https://bit.ly/ICT-IHS-ISS⬅️



🌍🌎🌏

June 1st is our scholarship application deadline for Kansas foreign-born students!
Congrats to all the Graduates 🫶👨‍🎓👩‍🎓🥳

🎓 Immigrant Heritage and International Students Scholarships for Kansas residents: ➡️https://bit.ly/ICT-IHS-ISS⬅️



🌍🌎🌏

Are you an international student in Kansas or a foreign born student graduating from a Kansas high school this year? 🎓 Do you know a phenomenal immigrant, organization, entrepreneur or individual working with or serving the foreign-born in Kansas? 🌍🌎🌏

➡️Apply for the Immigrant Heritage or International Students Scholarships for Kansas residents by the June 1st Deadline: https://bit.ly/ICT-IHS-ISS

➡️Nominate someone for a 2026 Immigrant Heritage Month award by 5pm (CST) June 1, 2026: https://bit.ly/IHM2026Nominations

Please share. 🦋

Lawful Permanent Residents only.
June Class Registration Date: Thursday, May 28
Time: 4pm
Address: The Expatriates Building, 1701 S. Broadway, Wichita KS 67211
Existing Students: $80 (8 classes)
New Students: $100 (includes registration & materials). Call 316-262-6222 for class registration! No walk-ins please.
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Solo para residentes permanentes.
Fecha de inscripción para el curso de junio: jueves, 28 de mayo
Hora: 4pm
Dirección: Edificio Expatriates, 1701 S. Broadway, Wichita, KS 67211
Alumnos actuales: $80 (8 clases)
Alumnos nuevos: $100 (incluye registro y materiales)
Llame al teléfono 316-262-6222 para registrarse en las clases. No se atiende sin cita previa.

The Immigration Support Services Network is seeking nominations for the 2026 Immigrant Heritage Awards. Nominees must be from the great State of Kansas. The deadline to submit all nominations is June 1st. Please send all nominations by 5pm (CST) June 1, 2026 to: https://bit.ly/IHM2026Nominations
The Award Categories are:
■ The Immigrant Star Award: to a first-generation (foreign born) Immigrant who has demonstrated or achieved personal, academic, or professional excellence or altruistic pursuits. The Nominee’s accomplishments and contributions have made or are making a broad and substantial positive impact on the immigrant and/or larger community.
■ The Immigrant Champion Award: to a Non-Immigrant U.S. Citizen who is dedicated to making a positive impact on the immigrant community. The Nominee demonstrates both a personal and professional commitment to, and advocacy on behalf of immigrants, their families and the immigrant community.
■ The Immigrant Service Award: to an organization (business, government or non-profit) dedicated to serving and/or making a positive impact on the immigrant community. The Nominee leads, provides, or facilitates the delivery of key services to immigrants, thus fosters an environment that assists, supports and/or benefits immigrants.
■ The Immigrant Entrepreneur Award (New): to a first-generation (foreign-born) immigrant business owner who has successfully developed, funded or implemented a significant capital, financial or social investment in our community. The Nominee is a key driver of products, services, innovation or jobs that either fuel our economy, create value and/or create positive social change.