International Institute of Akron and Summit MetroParks hosts World Refugee Day, a community event for celebration and awareness on June 20, 2022 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Himelright Lodge (1212 Cuyahoga St). It is also supported by GAR Foundation, Heart to Heart Leadership, North Hill CDC, St. Bernard’s Church, and ASIA inc.

In the past decade, the global refugee population has more than doubled. According to the UNHCR, over 84 million people around the world have been forced to flee their homes. Among them are over 26.6 million refugees, the highest population on record. The event will raise awareness about current refugee crises as well as highlight local former refugee communities.

The event will feature performances by the Black Beanz, a Congolese dance group, Gum-Dip Theatre, a Bhutanese-Nepali-American solo performance, and Hsa Win, a Karen and Burmese inspired dancer. There will be refreshments from Sima Arshadi and NoHi Cafe. A bouncy house will be set up for children to play in.

World Refugee Day also serves as an opportunity to announce Immigration Network – Akron (IN-Akron), a community-wide connection of program and service providers in the Akron-area focused on the shared goal of seeing every immigrant and refugee thrive in life, and helping our communities thrive from the contributions of immigrants.