SAVE THE DATE: the 9^th Baltimore Immigration Summit will take place on Friday, May 31 at Coppin State University. The theme of this year’s Summit is "Restoring Hope through Solidarity," which captures the critical nature of collaboration with and on behalf of New Americans. Additionally, this year's theme resists the recent hateful rhetoric coming from the national stage and celebrates the ongoing good work of New Americans and their advocates in Baltimore. Join us and prepare to be reenergized by narratives of hope and resilience in the Baltimore region as you discover new opportunities for collaboration!

The Summit is a one day event from 8:30AM to 4:30 PM. Coffee and pastries as well as lunch will be included. After a keynote address in the morning, attendees will be able to choose from a variety of panel presentations. The full schedule will be released in April. Best of all, this event is completely FREE!

While registration will not be open until early April, please mark your calendars. You can stay abreast of any updates on the Summit via MIMA’s Facebook page or the Baltimore Immigration Summit website. See you on May 31!

The Mayor’s Scholars Program allows eligible new high school graduates who are residents of Baltimore City to attend Baltimore City Community College tuition-free through a last-dollar scholarship. This partnership between BCCC, Baltimore City Public Schools, and Baltimore Mayor Catherine E. Pugh is an exciting opportunity that makes college and job training programs affordable and helps students move toward a rewarding career and financial security.

The scholarship is available to students regardless of income, GPA, immigration status, and English Language Proficiency. Don’t miss this opportunity and apply by Saturday, April 20^th.

For more information on how to apply, please visit www.bccc.com  or call 410-462-8300.

In fall 2017, Dr. Felipe Filomeno, an ardent supporter of MIMA’s work, and a group of undergraduate students at UMBC developed the Baltimore Intercultural Calendar, which catalogues immigrant festivals throughout the year. Dr. Filomeno notes that “cultural festivals of immigrant communities are some of the most visible features of Baltimore’s cultural landscape,” and MIMA is truly grateful for his team’s work to capture these important celebrations of Baltimore’s Heritage in one document.

You can access the calendar here, and may you find many opportunities to learn about the thriving cultures that coexist across Baltimore! 

Have you experienced discrimination in housing? The Baltimore Office of Civil Rights & Wage Enforcement (BOCRWE) is here to help! The Community Relations Commission, a branch of BOCRWE, combats unlawful discrimination in housing in Baltimore City. 

Discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, familial status, age, ancestry, sex, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or marital status is illegal in the City of Baltimore. Discrimination can be committed by your landlord, your property management company, or anyone involved in the provision of housing. Some examples of discrimination include refusing to rent or sell a home, discrimination in terms and conditions of the sale or rental of any dwelling, denying the right to a reasonable modification or accommodation, and more.

If you have experienced housing discrimination in Baltimore City, please call the Community Relations Commission at 410-396-3141 or visit 7 E. Redwood Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. The Community Relations Commission is happy to answer any questions and can help you file a complaint. After a complaint is filed, their trained team of professionals will investigate. Language line interpretation services are available in order to serve all Baltimoreans.