Many Roads to Here

Fifteen year-olds can be… a lot. It's often when a rebellious streak first emerges, when a kid might start sneaking out, breaking curfew or perhaps,  skipping school and lying about their age to become an interpreter for the American soldiers occupying your hometown in Afghanistan. Or at least that's what being a teenager was like for Nasirullah Safi, who grew up in the Kunar Valley between Afghanistan and Pakistan, a land plagued by constant conflict and war. But guided by the advice of his father and the dreams of his mother, he left Kunar and found his way to another valley: the Willamette. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story.  This episode was produced, edited and hosted by Selene Ross. Audio post-production done by Gregg Palmer. The original interview was conducted by Sankar Raman in the fall of 2023. Many thanks to St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Beaverton, Oregon for the use of their space. This episode is a part of a series exploring the stories and experiences of Asian Americans. It is produced as part of the Oregon Rises Above Hate coalition and made possible by a generous contribution by Anne Naito-Campbell.  To learn more about the Oregon Rises Above Hate Coalition, please visit https://oregonrisesabovehate.com. For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

This episode brings together two remarkable women, both public servants. Sophorn Cheang is the director of Business Oregon, the economic development   agency for the state of Oregon. Toc Soneoulay-Gillespie is the director of the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement for the state. They've worked together throughout their careers, and their relationship is one of friendship and mutual respect. They spoke about what it feels like to finally be inside the halls of power, with the opportunity to make a difference. Together they reflected on the promises and struggles of serving in government, got real about how immigration policy has advanced and stalled over time, and wondered how to involve the community in public policy decisions. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. This episode was produced and edited by Caitlin Dwyer Young, with post production by Gregg Palmer. Our Executive producer is the Sankar Raman. Thank you to St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Beaverton, Oregon for letting us use their space to record. And a huge thank you to Toc and Sophorn for the generosity of their time. This episode is produced as a part of Oregon Rises Against Hate coalition, and made possible by a generous contribution by Anne Naito-Campbell. For more stories, visit The Immigrant Story website, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

What does a mental health journey look like? How can art, music, and therapy bring us to better self understanding and self love? In this episode, Portland Community College student Jose Perez Salazar interviews Joaquin Lopez, one of the creative laureates of Portland, Oregon. They discuss the healing power of art, what it means to listen to your parents' music, and how Lopez found meaning in staging and singing Latino gay stories. This is our first conversation co-produced by a first-generation student. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. Many thanks to Jose Perez Salazar for co-producing this episode with me. And huge thanks to Joaquin for this conversation, and for his beautiful music. This episode was recorded at Portland Community College and generously funded by the Zidell Family Foundation. Gregg Palmer did our post production. Music was composed and performed by Joaquin Lopez. Our executive producer is the undeniable Sankar Raman. For more stories, visit our website, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

Welcome to The Immigrant Story Live, where we feature stories from the stage. In each episode of this new series we weave together three stories that were originallyperformed at an Immigrant Story Live Event. For episode two of this series, you'll hear from three storytellers — Ghassan Bin Hammam, Rama Youssef, and Meghna Damani – who each found themselves trapped in situations they never could have expected.  A warning to our listening, this episode contains descriptions of violence and suicidal ideation, so please take care while listening.  Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. This episode was produced by Degen Larkin. Audio editing was done by Gregg Palmer. Music was sourced from Soundstripe. Graphics for this episode were designed by Jacqueline Pagano. Our executive producer is Sankar Raman. Many thanks to Alton Takiyama-Chung and Nancy Dollahite for coaching our fabulous storytellers. This episode is made possible by a generous contribution by the Zidell Family Foundation. To view the films Meghna Damani discusses in today's episode you can visit her website https://www.meghnadamani.com or follow her on instagram @megdamani  For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts. 

Veronika Levytska  and Ian Levytsky  grew up in Ukraine but dreamed of an easier life - away from the shadow of Russia - for themselves and their loved ones. In 2018, after years of waiting, they found freedom and opportunity here in the U.S. on the East Coast shores of a Connecticut town. But their loved ones remain in harms way. How do they hold both in their hands? Their own happiness and their desire for their family members to enjoy the same? Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. This episode was produced by Fran Silverman. Our audio editing was done by Greg Palmer. The original interview was conducted by Fran Silverman at the New Haven Public Library, which has graciously provided us space. This episode is made possible by a generous contribution from the Zidell Family Foundation. For more episodes, https://theimmigrantstory.org/category/episode/ or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Many Roads to Here is expanding. We're looking for radio producers, especially those from immigrant communities and communities of color, to join our team. We're all-volunteer for now, but we've got dreams. Please email mrh@theimmigrantstory.org for more information. For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

As a young woman growing up in a conservative society, Safia Ferozi overcame intense expectations and restrictions placed on women to become Afghanistan's second female Air Force pilot. Before her country and her life were turned upside down, she was a trailblazing commander, leading an Air Force squadron of 200. Safia was forced to flee when the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Now she is one of 250 Afghan pilots grounded in the U.S., no longer able to fly. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. This episode was produced by Elayna Yussen, with audio editing by Gregg Palmer and executive producer Sankar Raman. This episode was funded through a generous contribution from Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation. We'd like to thank Salem for Refugees for connecting us with Safia and letting us use their space to record this interview, which took place in March of 2023. For more episodes, https://theimmigrantstory.org/category/episode/ or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Many Roads to Here is expanding. We're looking for radio producers, especially those from immigrant communities and communities of color, to join our team. We're all-volunteer for now, but we've got dreams. Please email mrh@theimmigrantstory.org for more information. For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

When you think of courageous living, playing music is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. But Dijana Ihas, a professional musician and refugee of war, learned how to transform her viola skills into a remarkable display of bravery. As bombs rained down over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the early 1990s, Dijana and several other musicians risked their lives to host hundreds of concerts. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. This episode was produced by Mae Ghylin, with audio editing by Gregg Palmer and executive producer Sankar Raman. The music was from our live event "I Am My Story: Voices of Hope," in which Dijana Ilhas played viola accompanied by three prominent area string players to simulate the Sarajevo String Quartet. The music was recorded live on September 11, 2021, at the Alex L. Parks Performing Arts Center at Jesuit High School in Portland, Oregon, by Kapila Chandramouli of Kapshur Lab. For more episodes, https://theimmigrantstory.org/category/episode/ or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Many Roads to Here is expanding. We're looking for radio producers, especially those from immigrant communities and communities of color, to join our team. We're all-volunteer for now, but we've got dreams. Please email mrh@theimmigrantstory.org for more information. For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

Introducing, The Immigrant Story Live, our new series that brings you voices from the stage. In 2019, the Immigrant Story began hosting live storytelling events in the Portland, Oregon area, bringing together musicians and storytellers from around the world for evenings of celebration and reflection. Every year, The Immigrant Story produces 2 new live events, and in the four years since its launch, has hosted 10 shows with 26 storytellers from 22 different countries. In our new series, we present selections from these events in themed, 45-minute episodes.  In our first episode, you'll hear from three storytellers, Mariamou Abdoulaye, Hussein Al-Baiaty, and Bernal Cruz. Each unearthed surprising versions of themselves when they faced the unexpected.  Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. This episode was produced by Degen Larkin. Post production was done by Gregg Palmer. Original music was composed by Corey Larkin. Graphics for this episode were designed by Jacqueline Pagano. Our executive producer is Sankar Raman. Thank you to the Beaverton Library and the St. Andrew Lutheran Church for letting us use your space for our live events. Many thanks to Alton Takiyama-Chung and Erin Briddick for coaching our fabulous storytellers.  This episode is made possible by a generous contribution by the Zidell Family Foundation and the City of Beaverton. For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts. Check out our instagram @theimmigrantstory to learn more about the storytellers and view bonus content for this episode.

Raised in Yemen amidst intense civil turmoil, Ghassan bin Hammam made a life-changing decision to leave for the United States to start a new life with his family. Believing he had left behind the destruction and instability of Yemen, he was unaware that the very conflict he fled would indefinitely separate him from his new home. This episode is part of the I Am an American series, generously funded by Anne Naito-Campbell. For more episodes in the series, please visit our website.  This episode was produced by Natalia Lopez and with audio editing and post production by Gregg Palmer. The original interview was conducted by our executive producer, Sankar Raman, in March of 2022. Special thanks to Nancy Dollahite for helping with the episode.  Many thanks to St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Beaverton, Oregon for the use of their space. For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

When Olive Bukuru was six months old her and her family fled their home country of Burundi in search of a safe life. They ended up in a refugee camp in Tanzania where Olive fell in love with learning and became determined to pursue her education, something that was not encouraged for girls in the area. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. This episode was produced by Emily Ker with audio editing and post production done by Gregg Palmer. The original interview was conducted by our executive producer Sankar Raman in March 2023.  Thank you to St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Beaverton, Oregon for the use of their space to record the interview. This program was funded through a generous contribution from Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation.  For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

Panelists explored their experiences as Asian American women, offering personal reflections  as well as highlighting current xenophobia and intolerance against  Asian Americans in Oregon and across the United States. Each of the speakers is leading community efforts to empower diverse Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities statewide. This episode was arranged in conjunction with the exhibition, I Am An American, that was on view at the Oregon Historical Society. Esteemed panelists include: Dr. Jane Vogel Mantiri is a retired psychologist who specialized in trauma, actor, and activist. She is the founder of Advance Gender Equity in the Arts (AGE), a Portland-based nonprofit that empowers marginalized genders in the arts leading with race. Attorney Liani Reeves is President at Bullard Law. She is a former General Counsel for the Governor of Oregon and the former president of the Oregon State Bar, the first Asian American and first woman of color to hold that position. She is a Korean adoptee. Dr. Jennifer Fang is a historian, researcher, Director of Interpretation & Community Engagement at Pittock Mansion, and an adjunct professor at the University of Portland, where she teaches Modern U.S. History and Asian American History.  Moderator: Dr. Patti Duncan is an associate professor of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Oregon State University, specializing in women of color feminisms and transnational feminisms. She is the editor of the scholarly journal, Feminist Formations, and the author of Tell This Silence: Asian American Women Writers and the Politics of Speech. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. Many thanks to all of these panelists for their time and storytelling. Special thanks to the Oregon Historical Society for organizing and hosting the live event - they continue to be an amazing partner with us here at The Immigrant Story.  This episode is part of the I Am an American series, generously funded by Anne Naito-Campbell. It was produced as part of the Oregon Rises Above Hate Coalition. This episode was produced by Caitlin Dwyer. Audio editing was done by Caitlin Dwyer, assisted by Gregg Palmer. Music was composed by Corey Larkin. Our executive producer is Sankar Raman. For more stories, visit our website, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts

Ahmad Fanoos spent the first 57 years of his life searching for the freedom to play music.  In Afghanistan, where singing and playing music were banned under the Taliban, Ahmad could not safely pursue his passion. Over time, music led him and his family across careers and borders.  Between Taliban regimes, Ahmad became a guest star and judge for one of Afghanistan's most popular TV music shows. He also inspired his own children to pursue music professionally — including his son Elham, who completed his master's degree in 2021 at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City.  The music you hear in this episode was performed by Ahmad and Elham. The song is called “Ashkam Wale Ba Paye.'' You can listen to a live performance of this song here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmjbaa_XUHw&t=2s Catch the Fanooses playing together and they are touring the US and their ensemble is called, “Fanoos Ensemble,” where they tell the story of Afghanistan's cultural history through a combination of Afghan folk and Western classical music. They will be playing at The Reser on May 20, 2023.    Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. This episode was produced by Emily Denny and with audio editing and post production by Gregg Palmer. The original interview was conducted by our executive producer, Sankar Raman, in Spring of 2022. Thank you to St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Beaverton, Oregon for the use of their space to record the interview. This episode is made possible by the generous support by the Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

Franke Tokem Powell was born in Central Africa, in the city of Douala, Cameroon. Growing up in the 90's, Franke did not feel that he'd ever be  accepted for who he was. At the age of 18, after years of repressing his queer identity and in the face of an unexpected loss, he was ready to leave home in search of community and acceptance. This episode was produced by Natalia Lopez and with audio editing and post production by Todd Baize. The original interview was conducted by our executive producer, Sankar Raman, in March of 2022. Many thanks to St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Beaverton, Oregon for the use of their space. This episode is made possible by the generous support of the Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation   For more episodes, https://theimmigrantstory.org/category/episode/ or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Many Roads to Here are expanding. We're looking for radio producers, especially those from immigrant communities and communities of color, to join our team. We're all-volunteer for now, but we've got dreams. Please email mrh@theimmigrantstory.org for more information. For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

Janice Okamoto was just a baby, only a few months old, when she was sent to Minidoka with her family. Her father was a musician, and like all the he was permitted to bring only what he could carry in two suitcases. This meant leaving behind everything in their house, including his beloved musical instruments. Janice's father could not bear the thought of living without music, so he brought a harmonica in his pocket. After three years, the Okamoto family was released from the camp in northern Idaho. They were given a train ticket to Portland, and $20. Back in what had been their home city, the Okamotos found most places in Portland unwilling to rent to Japanese Americans. Eventually they ended up in Vanport. With the Vanport flood of 1948, Janice and her family once again lost everything—first when they were imprisoned, and later when they were flooded out. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. Many thanks to the Japanese American Museum of Oregon, who allowed us to record there. The original interview was conducted in December of 2021, by Stephanie Vallence and Sankar Raman.  This episode is part of the I Am an American series, generously funded by Anne Naito-Campbell. For more episodes in the series, please visit our website. It was produced by Emily Ker with audio editing by Gregg Palmer. Our executive producer is Sankar Raman. For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

Vasyl Matsyuk, a Yale Divinity student, grew up in the fully Democratic Ukraine only to see it ravaged by a war with Russia that began a year ago in February.  The Russian conflict has long roots. Under the previous Soviet regime before Ukraine became a sovereign nation, Vasyl's parents and grandparents had endured years of religious discrimination and hardship as Protestants. Now, Vasyl is grappling with how his religious studies inform the harsh realities facing relatives and friends are facing as they defend themselves against bombs and missiles in a country he only knew as peaceful and free. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story, a nonprofit based in Portland, Oregon. This episode was produced by Fran Silverman. Our audio editing was done by Todd Baize . The original interview was conducted by Fran Silverman at the New Haven Public Library, which has graciously provided space for our podcast work. Our executive producer is the ever affable Sankar Raman. This episode is made possible by a generous contribution from the Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation. For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

Balamurali Balu, who goes by Bala, immigrated to the United States from Southern India. He completed his PhD at Georgia Tech.  Landed his dream job at Intel in Portland, Oregon. Married the woman he loved. And had two young daughters. He was what his family called “settled”, living the life his parents had always wanted for him. But six years into his career, he was burnt out and he missed doing the thing he loved most in this world. So, he quit.   Today, Bala pursues music full-time where he scores large Tamil film industry projects and presents his new work at The Immigrant Story live storytelling events, constantly innovating new songs, new sounds, and new music.  Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. This episode was produced by Emily Denny. Our audio editing and music was done by Bala. Post production was done by Gregg Palmer. The original interview was conducted in the summer of 2022 by our executive producer Sankar Raman. Music that is featured in this episode was composed and arranged by Bala. His original album composed for I Am An American Live can be downloaded for free from here: https://theimmigrantstory.org/the-album/ and can be listened to from all major streaming services. Listen to the piece used in this episode, Hit the Strings, performed live at I Am An American Live last Spring, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRMkLEqAeKM Bala's music will be featured again this year with his original music especially produced for our second edition of I Am American Live next spring. We invite you to join us on April 15th at the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts in Beaverton. Tickets go on sale on February 15, 2023. Please stay tuned.  Thanks to our partner, St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Beaverton for the use of their space to record the interview. This episode is made possible by a generous contribution by Oregon Cultural Trust. For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

Mitzi Asai Loftus and her son Toby talk frankly about her memories of growing up in Hood River, Oregon; her childhood incarceration  in a Japanese-American internment camp; dating and racism; changing and reclaiming names; and what it means to grow up mixed-race. Please note this episode contains mentions of suicide as well as racial slurs against Asian-Americans. Mitzi was born in Hood River, Oregon. Her parents, immigrants from Japan, owned orchards there. But when Mitzi was ten, she was forced from her home and taken to an internment camp in California and then in Wyoming, as part of the U.S. wartime incarceration of Japanese-Americans. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. Many thanks to Mitzi Asai and Toby Asai Loftus for their time and storytelling, and to St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Beaverton, Oregon for allowing us to record there. This episode is part of the I Am an American series, generously funded by Anne Naito-Campbell. It was produced as part of the Oregon Rises Above Hate Coalition. This episode was produced by Caitlin Dwyer who also edited the audio. Post processing was done by Gregg Palmer. Music was composed by Corey Larkin. Our executive producer is the Sankar Raman. For more stories, visit our website, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

Sindy Avila Gutierrez was born in Morelos, Mexico. At the age of two, she was brought to the United States to live with her parents in Oregon. Arriving without formal paperwork,  Sindy's family was considered "undocumented." Without any legal protections, they faced hardships and uncertainty. These experiences fueled a fire in Sindy, who became an advocacy leader in the growing movement for DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, to give undocumented immigrants like her greater legal protections and opportunities in the United States. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. This episode was produced by Natalia Lopez. Audio editing was done by Todd Baize. Our executive producer is Sankar Raman. For more episodes, https://theimmigrantstory.org/category/episode/ or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Many Roads to Here is expanding. We're looking for radio producers, especially those from immigrant communities and communities of color, to join our team. We're all-volunteer for now, but we've got dreams. Please email mrh@theimmigrantstory.org for more information. For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

Twenty-one-year-old Samir Mustafic was in the small orchard behind his home in Bosnia when Serbian bombs rained down upon his family's property. His mother and sister died in the bombing on June 30, 1993, 14 months into the Bosnian war. Mustafic's injuries were so severe that few gave him any chance of survival. But a series of unlikely events—miracles or coincidences, depending on one's perspective—sent him to the United States for treatment. Doctors in Roseburg, Ore., worried at first that there was little they could do to assure him a productive life. But today Mustafic is a software architect for the state of Oregon. He is married to his high school sweetheart and is the father of teenage twins. “I truly had so many miracles,” he marvels. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story.  This episode was produced and edited by Elayna Yussen, with post production by Greg Palmer. Our Executive producer is Sankar Raman. Thank you to St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Beaverton, Oregon, for letting us use their space to record this interview. This episode is made possible by a generous contribution by Oregon Cultural Trust.  To watch Samir Mustafic tell his story in front of a live audience, or for more stories, visit The Immigrant Story website, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

Portland artist Roberta Wong is the daughter and granddaughter of Chinese immigrants. She grew up partly in Chinatown, itself a product of segregation. She spent her childhood developing close ties to her heritage. As she grew up, she experienced racism firsthand, as well as the decline of Chinatown and the cultural history that is maintained there. Through art and volunteerism, Roberta now seeks to combat the stereotypes and erasure that continue to harm the Asian-American community. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. Many thanks to the Japanese American Museum of Oregon for allowing us to record there. This episode is part of the I Am an American series, generously funded by Anne Naito-Campbell. For more episodes in the series, please visit our website. To learn more about the Oregon Rises Above Hate Coalition, please visit https://oregonrisesabovehate.com. Listen to our podcast monthly on Portland Radio Project, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Stephanie Valance. Audio editing and post production was done by Todd Baize. Our executive producer is Sankar Raman. For more episodes, https://theimmigrantstory.org/category/episode/ or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Many Roads to Here is expanding. We're looking for radio producers, especially those from immigrant communities and communities of color, to join our team. We're all-volunteer for now, but we've got dreams. Please email mrh@theimmigrantstory.org for more information.

Chanpone Sinlapasai was born in Laos during a bloody civil war, and narrowly escaped to the US with her family at just four years old. Her experiences growing up in the United States have now propelled her into a staunch advocate of immigrant rights in her community.  Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story, in collaboration with Portland Radio Project. This episode was produced by Natalia Lopez Audio editing was done by Gregg Palmer. Our executive producer is Sankar Raman. For more episodes, https://theimmigrantstory.org/category/episode/ or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Many Roads to Here is expanding. We're looking for radio producers, especially those from immigrant communities and communities of color, to join our team. We're all-volunteer for now, but we've got dreams. Please email mrh@theimmigrantstory.org for more information. For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

Ghaith Shahib fled Iraq as the United States prepared to invade his country. Instead of finishing high school, he left home on a harrowing journey across the globe  in search of safety and a life away from conflict. It's been years now since Ghaith has felt the confrontation of war in his daily life, but an unexpected incident in the relative comfort of the city he now calls home, brings a new perspective on what it means to be a victim of war. Many Roads to Here is expanding. We're looking for radio producers, especially those from immigrant communities and communities of color, to join our team. We're all-volunteer for now, but we've got dreams. Please email mrh@theimmigrantstory.org for more information. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story.  This episode was produced by Natalia Lopez and with audio editing post production were done by Greg Palmer. The original interview was conducted by our illustrious executive producer, Sankar Raman, in March of 2022. Thank you to St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Beaverton for the use of their space to record the interview. This episode is made possible by a generous contribution by Oregon Cultural Trust. 

Kambiz GhaneaBassiri is one of the nation's leading scholars of Islam in the United States. In this conversation, he sat down with writer and educator Flamur Vehapi   to talk about the often ignored presence of Muslims in American history, from Revolution-era figures to Beyonce's children's names. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. Many thanks to Kambiz and Flamur for their time and wisdom, and to St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Beaverton, Oregon for allowing us to record there. This episode is part of the I Am an American series, generously funded by Anne Naito-Campbell. It was produced as part of the Oregon Rises Above Hate Coalition. This episode was produced by Caitlin Dwyer. Audio editing was done by Caitlin Dwyer, assisted by Gregg Palmer. Music was composed by Corey Larkin. Our executive producer is Sankar Raman. For more stories, visit our website, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

Emmanuel Turaturanye was born and raised in a small town in Rwanda called Ngoma. His whole life he was taught by his parents to love and respect everyone, regardless of their background.  At an early age, he learned that wasn't true for everyone. Out of the 11 people in his household, he was one of three that survived when the Rwandan genocide took the lives of hundreds of thousands of Tutsis in the spring of 1994. Here is his journey of survival and forgiveness. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. This episode was produced by Giulia Fiaoni. Audio editing was done by Giulia Fiaoni, with post production by Gregg Palmer. Our executive producer is Sankar Raman. For more about Emmanuel's experience, head to our website where you can watch the documentary, “To Bear Witness: Reconciliation" produced by The Immigrant Story in collaboration with NW Documentary. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmQ5hMFuu2U Many Roads to Here are expanding. We're looking for radio producers, especially those from immigrant communities and communities of color, to join our team. We're all-volunteer for now, but we've got dreams. Please email mrh@theimmigrantstory.org for more information. For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

Saron Khut was only ten years old when he and his family fled the Khmer Rouge-led genocide in Cambodia. His mother's strength and a key decision one scary  night to take a risk for freedom has guided his sense of purpose ever since. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story, a nonprofit based in Portland, Oregon. This episode was written by Degen Larkin and Fran Silverman. Our audio editing was done by Degen Larkin assisted by Gregg Palmer and Richard March. Original music by Corey Larkin. The original interview was conducted in Fall of 2020 by Garrett Russell. Our executive producer is Sankar Raman. For more about Saron's experience, head to our website where you can watch the documentary, “To Bear Witness: Building Community” produced by The Immigrant Story in collaboration with NW Documentary.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T4NiXOtjic This episode is made possible by a generous contribution by Oregon Cultural Trust.  For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

Originally from Taiwan, Janet Liu's family spent years trying to build a home together in the United States despite restrictive immigration policies at that time.  Janet had always wanted an opportunity to build a relationship with her father, who had left to study in the United States when she was only four years old. After six years, they were finally able to reunify and connect, until a single unexpected day shattered Janet's family. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. This episode was produced by Natalia Lopez with audio editing by Rick March and assisted by Greg Palmer. The original interview was conducted by our Executive producer, Sankar Raman. Thank you to St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Beaverton, Oregon for the use of their space for recording. This episode is a part of a series exploring the stories and experiences of Asian Americans in a climate of Anti-Asian rhetoric and increasing violence. It is produced as part of the Oregon Rises Above Hate coalition and made possible by a generous contribution by Anne Naito-Campbell. To learn more please visit oregonrisesabovehate.com. For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

Sara Houranpay describes herself as a child of the revolution. She grew up during the Iranian Revolution. Her family fled to the United States,  hoping for greater freedom. But they instead found themselves again at the center of conflict, when the protests of summer 2020 threatened their family livelihood. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story.  This episode was produced by Mae Ghylin with audio editing by Rick March and assisted by Greg Palmer. The original interview was conducted by our Executive producer, Sankar Raman. Thank you to St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Beaverton, Oregon for the use of their space for recording. This episode is a part of a series exploring the stories and experiences of Asian Americans in a climate of Anti-Asian rhetoric and increasing violence. It is produced as part of the Oregon Rises Above Hate coalition and made possible by a generous contribution by Anne Naito-Campbell. To learn more please visit oregonrisesabovehate.com. For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.  

In the early 1900s, Rani Bagai's grandparents arrived in California ready to start a new life. But citizenship requirements and prejudice against   Indian-Americans made settling in more difficult. In this conversation, historian Johanna Ogden speaks with Rani about her grandparents' fraught immigration history, anti-colonial movements on the American West Coast, and how the goalposts for American citizenship in the 20th century kept getting moved. Jo is an independent historian who focuses on South Asian history in Oregon, especially the formation of the Ghadar party. These two women talked in June 2021 at the Japanese American Museum of Oregon. For sensitive listeners, please be warned that this episode contains mentions of suicide. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. Many thanks to Rani Bagai and Johanna Ogden for their time and wisdom, and to the Japanese American Museum of Oregon for allowing us to record there. This episode is part of the I Am an American series, generously funded by Anne Naito-Campbell. We also thank South Asian American Digital Archive (SADA) for connecting us with Rani and providing images for this episode. This episode was produced by Caitlin Dwyer. Our audio editing was done by Caitlin Dwyer, assisted by Gregg Palmer. Music was composed by Corey Larkin. Our executive producer is Sankar Raman. For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

Growing up in the bohemian beach town of Encinitas, near San Diego, California, Priti Gandhi showed early interest in music and performance.  But she was a first born child in an Indian immigrant family that placed high value on job security, so a career in the arts was not even a consideration. In college, Priti signed up for voice lessons to counter the demands of her journalism courses. The moment her voice instructor introduced her to opera, her path in life changed. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. This episode was produced and edited by Elayna Yussen with sound design by Rick March and post production by Greg Palmer. The original interview was conducted by our Executive producer, Sankar Raman. Thank you to Priti Gandhi for providing the live opera music you hear in this episode and to St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Beaverton for the use of their space to record the interview. This episode is a part of a series exploring the stories and experiences of Asian Americans in a climate of Anti-Asian rhetoric and increasing violence. It is produced as part of the Oregon Rises Above Hate coalition and made possible by a generous contribution by Anne Naito-Campbell.  To learn more about the Oregon Rises Above Hate Coalition, please visit https://oregonrisesabovehate.com. For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

Welcome to Many Roads In Conversation, where we look deeply at issues affecting communities within the United States. This inaugural series focuses on the roots  of anti-Asian violence. Joining us for the third episode are Dmae Roberts and Patti Duncan, who talk about about growing up mixed race in America, as well as the politics, terminology, and gender issues surrounding mixed race families. Dmae is a writer, media and theater artist and is the executive producer of MediaRites, a nonprofit based in Portland. Patti is an associate professor of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Oregon State University. Our audio editing was done by Rick March, assisted by Gregg Palmer. Our executive producer is Sankar Raman. This episode is produced as a part of Oregon Rises Against Hate coalition, and made possible by a generous contribution by Anne Naito-Campbell.

Rama Youssef was 12 years old when she left Syria, escaping violence caused by the beginning of the Syrian Civil War. But life didn't get easier for Rama when   she arrived in the United States. Conflict followed her from a young age and she had to learn how to overcome fear and trauma to create a new life. A content warning: this episode contains descriptions of war and violence that may be sensitive to some listeners. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. This episode was produced by Emily Denny. Audio editing was done by Richard March, assisted by Gregg Palmer. Our executive producer is Sankar Raman. For more episodes, https://theimmigrantstory.org/category/episode/ or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Many Roads to Here are expanding. We're looking for radio producers, especially those from immigrant communities and communities of color, to join our team. We're all-volunteer for now, but we've got dreams. Please email mrh@theimmigrantstory.org for more information. For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts. This episode is made possible by a generous contribution by Oregon Cultural Trust.

Belise Nishimwe was 5 years old when she arrived in the U.S. She was born in a Tanzanian refugee camp, the daughter of genocide survivors. In 2007, her family moved to the United States as refugees. Their new home would be Portland, Oregon. In her first moments in the United States, Belise noticed a man writing. She was captivated by the movement of the pen. This pen would become a metaphor for Belise's life. She would go from struggling to learn English to becoming an award winning poet. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. This episode was produced by Jodelle Marx. Audio editing was done by Richard March, assisted by Jodelle Marx and Gregg Palmer. Our executive producer is Sankar Raman. For more episodes, https://theimmigrantstory.org/category/episode/ or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Many Roads to Here are expanding. We're looking for radio producers, especially those from immigrant communities and communities of color, to join our team. We're all-volunteer for now, but we've got dreams. Please email mrh@theimmigrantstory.org for more information. For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

Leslie and Eva Aigner's childhood were marked by horror. Born in different parts of Czechoslovakia as Nazi soldiers took hold, the two took very different paths to  survival; both were saved by their families' strength, shocking kindness by strangers at key moments, and their own inner audacity to survive. Leslie Aigner died in August of 2021. We are grateful to be able to share his story with you. To learn more about the Aigner's experiences, read Elizabeth Mehren's story “Miracles, Memories and a Message” on our website. Many thanks to Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education for collaborating with us on upcoming exhibit To Bear Witness, which opens on December 12th and features the stories of genocide survivors, and for providing us with the original 1994 audio interviews with Leslie and Eva. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. This episode was produced by Degen Larkin and Fran Silverman. Rick March did the audio editing, assisted by Gregg Palmer. Music was composed by Corey Larkin. The original interviews were conducted by Sylvia Franekl, Eric Harper and Lanie Reich. Our executive producer is Sankar Raman.   For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

Ricki was born in 1993 in Quzhou, China, but was adopted when she was four years old by a White American family living in Seatac, Washington.  For the rest of her childhood, Ricki would be raised in SeaTac, Washington, with eight siblings. Her roots would eventually lead her back to China and her birth family in a series of life changing events. In this remarkable journey of self-discovery, Ricki learns to navigate her identity as a daughter of two different families in two different countries. Olivia Wolf, who is an adoptee herself, has her story. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story, in collaboration with Portland Radio Project. This episode was produced using equipment funded in part by the Regional Arts & Culture Council. It was produced by Olivia Wolf with audio editing by Rick March, assisted by Gregg Palmer.  Many Roads to Here is expanding. We're looking for radio producers, especially those from immigrant communities and communities of color, to join our team. We're all-volunteer for now, but we've got dreams. Please email mrh@theimmigrantstory.org for more information. For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

Liani Reeves spent the first months of her life in an orphanage in Seoul, South Korea, before an American family adopted her.  She describes her early years as those of a typical American childhood – she loved cats, building snow forts and playing outside with friends. But Liani was also very angry. She battled deep-seated fears of abandonment. And over the years, buried a mix of emotions while trying to make sense of so many identities –– as an orphan, an adoptee, an Asian-American, an Asian-American woman, and as an immigrant. This episode is a part of a series exploring the stories and experiences of Asian Americans in a climate of Anti-Asian rhetoric and increasing violence, like the mass shooting in Atlanta, Georgia, earlier this year. It is produced as part of the Oregon Rises Above Hate coalition and is made possible by a generous contribution by Anne Naito-Campbell. For more information on our multimedia exploration of this topic, please visit, “I Am an American: Stories of Exclusion and Belonging.”

Welcome to Many Roads In Conversation, where we look deeply at issues affecting communities within the United States. This inaugural series focuses on the roots  of anti-Asian violence. Joining us for the second episode are Peggy Nagae and Chris Ling, who talk about major civil rights cases and legislation in American history. In this episode, we will hear two voices in dialogue, talking through major cases in the Supreme Court and how legislation has affected Asian-American civil rights, including Executive Order 9066, which incarcerated Japanese Americans during World War II. In Conversation today are Peggy Nagae and Chris Ling. Both worked as attorneys and have been active in diversity, equity and inclusion work in the Oregon legal community. Peggy is the owner and principal of Peggy Nagae consulting. Chris is now a software engineer. They spoke at the Japanese American Museum of Oregon in May 2021, in front of the actual jail cell that once held lawyer and civil rights advocate Min Yasui — you'll hear a lot more about Min during their conversation. This episode was produced by Caitlin Dwyer. Our audio editing was done by Rick March, assisted by Gordon Graham. Music was composed by Corey Larkin. Our executive producer is Sankar Raman. This is our last episode of season 1, so if you've been keeping up with us all season, thank you. We're so excited to have you along for our first year of storytelling. We'll be back in October 2021 with Season 2, which starts off with a big story, a two-parter co-told by married Holocaust survivors. It's an epic story of survival and endurance. If you're in the Portland area you can listen to the series on prp.fm on two consecutive Sunday afternoons, October 3 and 10th at 4pm, or stream us asynchronously wherever you get your podcasts. This episode is produced as part of the Rise Against Hate coalition based in Portland, Oregon and made possible by a generous contribution by Anne Naito-Campbell.

Farzad Larki was born in Iran prior to the Revolution. He grew up in a comfortable middle class family, but when the Shah was overthrown, everything changed.  Between 1979 and 1996, Farzad, his parents, and his siblings all emigrated to the U.S., though each family member traveled a very different path. Farzad's journey was the longest. From Southern Iran to Portland, Oregon, Farzad's voyage spanned eleven years and six countries. He traveled by foot, donkey, car, and plane. There were many opportunities to stop along the way, but he had his sights set on the U.S. and the freedom that it represented. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story, in collaboration with Portland Radio Project. This episode was produced by Stephanie Vallance. Our audio editing was superbly done by Rick March, assisted by Gordon Graham. Roger Porter conducted the original interview.  Our executive producer is Sankar Raman. Many Roads to Here is expanding. We're looking for radio producers, especially those from immigrant communities and communities of color, to join our team. We're all-volunteer for now, but we've got dreams. Please email mrh@theimmigrantstory.org for more information. For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

In middle school, Yamini Rajan dealt with bullying, isolation, and a sick parent. Her mental health suffered, and destructive habits and self-harm nearly ended her life.  As she healed, she committed to telling others about her story. Now Yamini helps start conversations about mental health in immigrant communities. A note to listeners: this episode contains references to suicide and self-harm. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story, in collaboration with Portland Radio Project. This episode was produced by Caitlin Dwyer. Monica Salazar conducted the original interview in Winter 2019. Our audio editing was done by Rick March and Kent Randles, assisted by Gordon Graham. Music was composed by Denzel Mendoza. Our executive producer is Sankar Raman. If you're suffering from depression or having thoughts of self-harm, get help. Call 1-800-273-8255, or text the Crisis Line (you can text HELLO to 741741). Both services are free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Someone is there to help.

Reza Uddin was born in the epicenter of the Burmese government's ethnic cleansing campaign against Rohingya Muslims. For the first years of his life,  Reza wasn't aware of the institutionalized discrimination against the Rohingya. And then, when Reza was in high school, the Burmese government began denying citizenship to its Rohingya population. When he graduated college, Reza's father gave him a piece of advice: leave Burma, and don't come back.  The Rohingya refugee crisis is ongoing. There are a number of groups working in the refugee camps that accept donations, including BRAC, Action Against Hunger, and the UN refugee agency. You can donate to Reza's organization at http://friendsofrohingya.org/  Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story, in collaboration with Portland Radio Project. This episode was produced by Allison Merkel.  Audio editing was done by Kent Randles, assisted by Gordon Graham. Our executive producer is Sankar Raman. For more episodes, https://theimmigrantstory.org/category/episode/ or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

It took Dr. Elizabeth Flores through high school, college, and medical school to really understand herself. Born in America, raised in Mexico,  her identity is wrapped up in both places. As it turned out, the physical United States was never her final destination. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story, in collaboration with Portland Radio Project. This episode was written by Stephanie Vallance and Emily Denney. Our audio editing was done by Kent Randles, assisted by Gordon Graham. The original interview was conducted in Winter 2020 by Britany Cano-Briceno. Our executive producer is Sankar Raman. Many Roads to Here is expanding. We’re looking for radio producers, especially those from immigrant communities and communities of color, to join our team. We’re all-volunteer for now, but we’ve got dreams. Please email mrh@theimmigrantstory.org for more information. For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

Introducing Many Roads in Conversation, where we look deeply at issues affecting ethnic and migrant communities within the United States.  This inaugural three-part series will focus on the roots of anti-Asian violence. Joining us for the first episode of the series are Jennifer Fang, director of education at the Japanese American museum of Oregon, and Eliza Canty-Jones, editor of the Oregon Historical Quarterly. In this conversation, they talk through the issues raised by recent hate crimes against Asian-Americans, including historical restrictions on Asian immigration and how modern liberation movements might address acts of hate. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story, in collaboration with Portland Radio Project. Many thanks to Jennifer Fang and Eliza Canty-Jones for agreeing to have this important and timely conversation, and for letting us eavesdrop on it. This episode was produced by Caitlin Dwyer. Our audio editing was done by Rick March, assisted by Gordon Graham. Music was composed by Corey Larkin. Our executive producer is Sankar Raman.

Tsering Dolma was forced to interrupt her life twice, first, when she had to flee Tibet for Nepal when the Chinese took control and then again when her father made a decision she didn’t know about. But she never gave up on a desire to advance  her education even while living her life in exile in the U.S. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story, in collaboration with Portland Radio Project. This episode was written by Degen Larkin and Fran Silverman. Our audio editing was done by Rick March and Kent Randles, assisted by Gordon Graham. Music was composed by Corey Larkin. The original interview was conducted in Spring 2020 by Ashley Mosher. Our executive producer is Sankar Raman.

Joe Kye fell in love with music in elementary school. But becoming a career musician was never on the table. After arriving in the U.S. from South Korea, Joe was expected to pursue a life of stability and recognition. Pursuing passion required money, connections, and a secure immigration status— all things Joe did not have. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story, in collaboration with Portland Radio Project. This episode was written and produced by Allison Merkel and edited by Fran Silverman. Rick March edited the audio, assisted by Gordon Graham. All music used in this episode was provided by Joe Kye. Our Executive Producer is Sankar Raman.

Ruth Zuñiga grew up in a rural, evangelical Christian town in Costa Rica. Both restricted and supported by her community, she eventually set out on her own, becoming a psychologist and professor in the U.S. Her commitment to serving others, and to her family, led to unexpected new connections in Montana, Alaska, and Oregon. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story, in collaboration with Portland Radio Project. This episode was written by Caitlin Dwyer, and Monica Salazar. Rick March edited the audio, assisted by Gordon Graham. The original interview was conducted in Spring of 2020  by Hannah Kendall. Our executive producer is Sankar Raman.  

Divine Irambona loves to challenge herself. Maybe because her life was a struggle from the moment she was born. Her mother died shortly after giving birth to Divine, in a Tanzanian refugee camp. She grew up walking miles to get to school and faced horrifying prejudice when she immigrated to the U.S.  To get to where she is today, Divine has turned to instincts and courage to survive, as well as the promise of her name. Irambona, or “to be seen,” given to Divine as her mother’s final wish, serves as a guidebook to her life.  This episode was written by Degen Larkin and Fran Silverman. Music was composed by Corey Larkin. Rick March edited the audio, assisted by Gordon Graham. The original interview was conducted in the spring of 2019 by Shea Seery. Our executive producer is Sankar Raman.

It’s 2010 and Johana Amani is 10 years old. She is speeding through the Congo in the middle of the night on the back of a stranger’s motorcycle. She and her mother and younger sister fleeing from domestic abuse and the political influence of her father. As they flee, Johana’s mother looks back at her two young daughters and says, “Look through the mirror and say goodbye to all your problems.” Although Johana Amani’s struggles did not end here, she has embraced her story with courage. She has gone from the Congo to Nairobi, Kenya to Portland, Oregon, where she remains determined to break cultural expectations of women and be a role model for her younger siblings.   This episode was written by Stephanie Vallance and Emily Denny. Rick March edited the audio, assisted by Gordon Graham. The original interview was conducted in Spring of 2019 by Julianna Robidoux. Our executive producer is Sankar Raman.

Growing up poor in the mountains of Romania, Anna Giurgiev dreamed of a young man in strange blue pants. She didn’t know that this dream boy was her future husband, clad in denim, a fabric she had never seen. She didn’t know that their lives would be restricted by Romanian communism, or that he would try to defect without telling her. She didn’t know they would be separated for months and watched by police. She did not know that she would become a nurse and raise their children in the United States. All she knew, as a teenager in the mountains, was that this boy would be part of her future. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story, a nonprofit based in Portland, Oregon, in collaboration with the Portland Radio Project. This episode was written by Caitlin Dwyer and Monica Salazar. Audio editing was done by Rick March. Original music was provided by Harmonia. The original interview was conducted in the Spring of 2019 by Caitlyn Malik. Our executive producer is Sankar Raman. For more stories, please visit theimmigrantstory.org or listen at the Portland Radio Project at prp.fm.

Things were going well for Jenny Munezero in Portland, Oregon. She was working in a rewarding career and engaged to a man she adored. But as the two families moved forward with wedding plans, and worked out the details of her dowry, Jenny found herself struggling to keep up with the details of the Burundi customs. Two months after she was born there, war broke out. Her parents, fearful for their lives in the genocide, fled, leaving Jenny behind. Much of how she survived still remains a mystery. There was a lot she didn’t know about herself -- until she came to the U.S. This episode was written by Degen Larkin and Fran Silverman. Audio editing was done by Rick March. The music was composed by Corey Larkin. Julianna Robidoux conducted the original interview in 2019. Our executive producer is Sankar Raman.

The first time Denzel Mendoza came out as undocumented he was on stage in front of a crowd of strangers.  That night, he didn’t just play his trombone, he let out the raw emotions of doubts, fears and hardship that had followed him throughout his life, letting himself be truly seen, for the first time, at this random jazz house show in Portland. After that night, life began to move quickly. A few years later, Mendoza shared his undocumented identity publically once again, but this time the crowd wasn’t filled with strangers, it was filled with celebrities, and it was no house show. It was the Grammys.  This episode was edited by Caitlin Dwyer and Monica Salazar. Audio editing was done by Rick March and original music was provided by Denzel Mendoza. Our executive producer is Sankar Raman. This episode takes audio from an interview conducted in the winter of 2020 by Angelica Alarcon.