Image Source: Freepik
When we think of refugees, we often imagine distant headlines, camps far away, or heart-wrenching departures. But sometimes, the stories worth telling are right next door. In the heart of Philadelphia, African and Caribbean refugees are not just rebuilding their lives; they are actively reshaping the communities they now call home. Through their work, presence, and resilience, they are changing the narrative of what it means to be a refugee in America.
This is more than a survival story. It’s a story about transformation, community, and impact.
Presence as a Form of Power
For many African and Caribbean refugees, simply being here, showing up, and contributing is a powerful form of resistance and agency. Lydia, a Liberian entrepreneur based in West Philadelphia, began her mobile braiding business with a single chair and a vision. Today, she employs other women from similar backgrounds, teaches local girls how to braid, and donates a portion of her profits to school supply drives. Her story is not unique. Across neighborhoods, refugees are showing that rebuilding one’s life also means uplifting others.
“Being here, contributing, showing up; that’s how we change the narrative,” Lydia says.
The Professionals Among Us
Many refugees bring with them high levels of education and professional experience, though they often go unrecognized. Yet, despite systemic barriers, they persist. Dr. Adeyemi, a biology teacher and refugee from Nigeria, has not only resumed his teaching career but now also mentors first-generation college students navigating similar challenges. In another part of the city, Chef Marisol from Haiti runs a Caribbean pop-up restaurant, bringing culturally relevant meals to underserved communities and food deserts. Altagracia, a nurse originally from the Dominican Republic, has become a trusted advocate for better maternal care for immigrant women.
Their contributions are felt across education, food justice, healthcare, and mentorship, quietly yet profoundly shaping the city’s future.
Community Builders in Everyday Life
Refugees are often the unseen backbone of local neighborhoods. Many take on roles as block captains, volunteers, youth mentors, and spiritual leaders. Their work is often unpaid, undocumented, and undervalued but essential. They organize neighborhood clean-ups, launch community worship centers, and these individuals actively invest in the well-being of Philadelphia.
Makonnen, a refugee from Eritrea, reflects on this sense of purpose: “People always ask, ‘What did you lose?’ But I think about what I’ve been able to give.”
This shift in perspective from deficit to contribution is what more Philadelphians need to hear.
Cultural Catalysts and Creative Forces
African and Caribbean refugees are also deeply enriching Philadelphia’s cultural life. They host storytelling nights that honor oral traditions. They start book clubs that center Black immigrant authors. They create music that blends diasporic rhythms with local sounds. And increasingly, they are launching digital platforms like YouTube channels and podcasts to reclaim their narratives and challenge stereotypes.
Through these acts of expression, they are not just preserving culture; they are also reimagining what it means to belong.
How to Truly Meet Your Neighbors
To truly support and recognize African and Caribbean refugees in Philadelphia, we must move from passive acknowledgment to active engagement. That begins with simple steps:
- Attend cultural events organized by refugee communities
- Shop at immigrant-owned businesses
- Volunteer with local organizations serving newcomers
- Invite refugees to speak in schools, workplaces, and civic spaces
- Take the time to ask questions and more importantly, to listen
“We don’t need charity,” says Kofi, a Ghanaian refugee who works in construction. “We need opportunity and to be seen.”
