AN EVENING OF ETHNIC FOOD, MUSIC, FASHION, AND UNITY

CONCORD, NH – The Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success (ORIS) is pleased to present the 2nd Annual Umoja (Unity) Gala on Saturday, March 14, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. at the Grappone Conference Center. 

Guests will enjoy a thoughtfully curated array of cuisine from Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, including dishes such as Matbusha- (thick, flavorful dip served with flatbread), Malabar Prawns, Egyptian Lahma Bil Basal (tender beef in a rich onion sauce), Channa Masala Chole (chickpea curry), Tharid (Emirati Lamb stew), Plantain Cake, Mandazi (African donuts), and much more. 

Performances by local musicians including Martin Toe, a local hip-hop artist originally from Liberia, and the Himalaya Heritage Performing Arts Group presenting classical kirtan and Nepali folk songs will entertain guests throughout the evening and the Jamhuri Band will return with their Swahili music that is sure to pack the dance floor. Emelyne Adios of Style by Emelyne will present a fashion show featuring her clothing designs made of kitenge, a fabric with brightly colored designs from her native country of Burundi. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase to enter to win unique, themed raffle baskets.  

The Umoja Gala was first held in February 2019 as a fundraiser for New American Africans (NAA), a post-resettlement organization for African refugees who have been resettled here in New Hampshire. ORIS is also a post-resettlement organization, whose mission is to aid in the resettlement of refugees and immigrants in New Hampshire by providing assistance, training, resources, and opportunities that promote self-sufficiency. In late 2019, ORIS and NAA merged in order to consolidate and expand services, share valuable resources, and simplify fundraising without competing with each other, thereby broadening each organizations’ approach and strengthening the capacity of the new American communities and service providers across city lines. 

Now that the organizations have merged, in the true spirit of “Umoja” (oo-MOE-jah), which means “Unity” in Swahili, ORIS is pleased to continue the annual Umoja Gala and build on the success of its inaugural event. 

The 2nd Annual Umoja Gala is sponsored by Parker Education, Mesa Law, St. Mary’s Bank, Northeast Delta Dental, Next Rung Technologies, Norman Associates, Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare, Associated Grocers, Elm Grove Companies and several in-kind sponsors and supporters. The presenting sponsor of the Umoja Gala is Hannaford Supermarkets. 

“We are very proud to sponsor this wonderful event. Our friends at ORIS work hard to equip New Americans with the knowledge and skills to reach their goals,” said John Fifield, Director of Operations for Hannaford. “We at Hannaford witness firsthand the richness of diversity in our local communities, and appreciate the wonderful benefits that New Americans offer to our business. Together, we can all build a better today and tomorrow for New Hampshire.”

The Umoja Gala takes place on Saturday, March 14, 6:00pm-10:00pm at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord, NH. Tickets are $80 per person and can be purchased by visiting www.RefugeeSuccess.org. There is also an option to text-to-donate for people not able to attend: Text UMOJA to 44-321. For questions or more information, please contact Jessica Livingston, Event Coordinator, at 603.568.5740 or jessica@jlivinspirations.com