Green Card Voices: Itoro Emmanuel

After losing his father to diabetes, Itoro Emmanuel decided to become a nurse. He finds great joy in providing quality care for his patients. Born in Nigeria, Mr. Emmanuel grew up in the coastal city of Eket with his five siblings. He loved to play basketball and would walk fifteen miles to play at the nearest court. When a friend applied to universities in the United … [Read more...]

Green Card Voices: Thorunn Bjarnadottir

When she came to the United States, Thorunn Bjarnadottir didn’t think she would end up staying. Thirty years later, she has her American citizenship and a family here. Ms. Bjarnadottir was born and raised in Iceland. She grew up in a large family with three other siblings and enjoyed a carefree, independent, and nature-filled upbringing. When it was time for college, Thorunn … [Read more...]

Green Card Voices: Willian Alonzo

Willian Alonzo left Guatemala so he could help his family. Now, he’s able to send enough money back home to send his brothers to school. Willian was born in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. He grew up in a very poor family. He was often absent from school so he could work with her father and dropped out altogether when his family couldn’t afford his tuition. Wanting to provide a … [Read more...]

Green Card Voices: Zaynab Abdi

Since arriving in the United States, Zaynab Abdi has set goals for herself. She wants to have the best future possible. Zaynab was born in Aden, Yemen. She grew up in a large household with her extended family. Her mother immigrated to the United States through the Green Card Lottery when Zaynab was very young. After sixteen years, her mother was eligible to sponsor her for … [Read more...]

Green Card Voices: Miguel Ramos

Originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Miguel Ramos came to Minnesota thinking he was ready for the drastic change. He realized that many challenges were before him, but he has never given up on his dream. Mr. Ramos grew up in a poor household in Puerto Rico. When he was seventeen years old, his father passed away; his family couldn’t afford a funeral. Mr. Ramos promised … [Read more...]

Green Card Voices: Stela Osmančević Center

Like many people from the former Yugoslavia, Stela Osmančević Center was greatly affected by the Bosnian War. This experience led her to pursue a career in assisting others. Ms. Osmančević Center was born in Banja Luka in what is now known as Bosnia and Herzegovina. She grew up near the Vrbas River in a house her father built. When war broke out, her family was discriminated … [Read more...]

Green Card Voices: Poet Ibe Kaba

FROM: KANKAN, GUINEA  CURRENT CITY: MINNEAPOLIS, MN Ibé Kaba grew up with a multitude of relatives in West Africa but only knew a handful of people when he first arrived in the U.S. Family is only one of the things he had to give up when he immigrated. Although he was born in Guinea, Mr. Kaba spent most of his youth with his aunt’s family in Sierra Leone. A civil war … [Read more...]

Green Card Voices: Edna Stevens

EDNA STEVENS FROM: MONROVIA, LIBERIA CURRENT CITY: MINNEAPOLIS, MN When most Americans think of Africa, they do not envision mansions, yet this is the kind of life Edna Stevens enjoyed in Liberia. But when she came to American, she had to give up her life of comfort. Growing up in Monrovia, Liberia, Ms. Stevens had a very luxurious lifestyle. Her family lived in an … [Read more...]

Menu Title