Multicultural Alabama

09/17/2023

Thanks to the Alabama Bonsai Society for sharing this info about the bonsai garden at Aldridge Gardens!

Did you know that we have a Bonsai Terrace here at Aldridge Gardens? Be sure to check it out the next time you visit!

09/13/2023

Aki Dale of Hoover shares her story with People of Alabama about moving to Alabama from Japan:

“I cried for the first month because I think I have an accent. It was hard for them to understand. I have a thicker skin now. I even tell them, ‘Hey, I have an accent. If you don't understand me, tell me.’ I want to have a clear communication with everybody. I’m an ambassador for myself. I tell everyone, ‘Hey, I’m Aki. I’m from Japan,’ so people don’t have to be like, ‘Where are you from?’

Dale says Alabama is now a part of her thanks to more people she has met and Southern hospitality. “Alabama is like a second home."

What brought you to Alabama?

“I always tell this to everyone; my husband imported me. He was stationed in Japan. I'm originally from Okinawa. When he was stationed, we were friends for maybe like a year or two. One day, we just liked each other. It was so wild. I moved a month later to be with him. Back in 2017, we came back to Alabama. He’s from Russellville. Moving here, I didn't know nobody. I felt very lonely for first time. Also, being Asian was really hard, especially the first store I worked. I cried for the first month because I think I have an accent. It was hard for them to understand. I have a thicker skin now. I even tell them, ‘Hey, I have an accent. If you don't understand me, tell me.’ I want to have a clear communication with everybody. I don't feel lonely anymore because I can make a change. I don’t have to wait. I’m an ambassador for myself. I'm an advocate for me. I tell everyone, ‘Hey, I’m Aki. I’m from Japan,’ so people don’t have to be like, ‘Where are you from?’ – Aki Dale, of Hoover. (Her name is pronounced Ah-kee.)

Dale says Alabama is now a part of her thanks to more people she has met and Southern hospitality. “Alabama is like a second home. I feel like I’m rooting myself in this state. It’s becoming comforting to me because if I go to any other state and come back to Alabama, I feel like home. The people make it home to me, the people I have around me.”

Those people include her best friend who is a huge Alabama fan. Dale and her husband are Auburn fans. “That’s one thing that I’ve experienced that is like a super Alabama thing. He always told me about it, and I never really like believed it. It’s serious. That’s on my bucket list. I want to go to the Iron Bowl. I want to be in that moment. It might be really crazy,” she said. (part 1 of 2)

See more stories on alabamanewscenter.com.

09/10/2023

This 12-year-old Birmingham boy recently released his debut novel, inspired by his Asian heritage and love of scary stories.

“Ever since I was young, I’ve always loved the horror genre,” Juda Maha said.

A 12-year-old Birmingham boy is releasing his debut novel on Friday, inspired by his Asian heritage and love of scary stories.

09/08/2023

09/06/2023

Get your tickets now for the "Merry-achi Christmas" show at the Oxford Performing Arts Center !

The Oxford Performing Arts Center is the region's primary arts and entertainment venue located in the heart of downtown Oxford, Alabama. The venue is comprised of a 1,200 seat main theatre, a 200 seat Studio theatre, and two art galleries. Since opening in May of 2013, the Oxford Performing Arts Cen...

08/31/2023

Get your tickets for Auburn's Oktoberfest today!

08/31/2023

This Sunday at 11 am, join the Caribbean Association of North Alabama for music and fun!

Bring the kids to the Park on Sept 3rd for FREE face painting, Petting ZOO and much more at the 6th Annual Caribbean Day in the Park in at John Hunt Park weekend festival

08/30/2023

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month on September 19 in Huntsville at the CulturA Festival 2023: A Celebration of Hispanic Culture, Food, and Music in Huntsville !

08/26/2023

Check out these Thai restaurants in Birmingham!

Birmingham has an amazing food scene, including places offering delicious Thai dishes. Check out our list below of places in The Magic City serving delicious Thai food.

08/25/2023

Congrats to Puerto Rican Leida Javier-Ferrell, the president of the Hispanic American Business Association of the Gulf Coast and a This is Alabama 2023 Women Who Shape the State honoree! Nominations for next year's nominees open next week!

“I'm wearing colors because I'm from Puerto Rico. We’re colorful people. And secondly, this is in honor of my daughter-in-law, Rebecca, that died last summer, and it was her dress. I only have a son, and she gave me a beautiful grandson. She loved my Puerto Rican cooking. She was just a lovely person. She was just amazing and full of life and full of love and so happy. I loved her and she loved me. Live every day. Have an open mind. Don't get into the prejudices and things like that. She loved my son so much. Just love life and live it every day because you never know.” - Leida Javier-Ferrell, of Mobile. She's the president of Hispanic American Business Association of the Gulf Coast.

Javier-Ferrell is a This is Alabama 2023 Women Who Shape the State honoree. Meet more honorees at bit.ly/3ZnfSyf and learn more about her at bit.ly/3ytJakb.

08/24/2023

Thanks to Inspiritus - Greater Birmingham, Alabama for sharing this story of an Afghan refugee who has settled in Alabama.

August 22 will mark one year since Hafiza and her four children were resettled to Birmingham. In a previous life, Hafiza was a student of midwifery, schoolteacher, and the wife of an Afghan ally who worked as an aid to the U.S. military for 20 years. She is currently working as a beloved staff member at a local Walmart, recently being named “Champion (Employee) of the Month.”

Afghan Refugees, Two Years Later. Where Are They Now? Meet Hafiza: August 22 will mark one year since Hafiza and her four children were resettled to Birmingham. In a previous life, Hafiza was a student of midwifery, schoolteacher, and the wife of an Afghan ally who worked as an aid to the U.S. military for 20 years. However, when Hafiza and her family were relocated to the U.S., she had tragically arrived as a widow when her husband was targeted by Taliban forces.

She recalls all the help she received from family, friends, and former colleagues of her husband, who helped her navigate the process of expediting her casework so she and her kids could be relocated as quickly as possible. These acts of compassion continued after she and her family finally reached safety.

“People are very kind here. Especially at the Inspiritus office. Here everyone is kind and helps with all things. They took us to a hotel first. I was so happy because we were finally safe. Here, no one cares about my scarf, my dress, it’s good. Here, I can work and relax.”

Despite the unimaginable hardships that come with having to navigate a new life in a new country as a newly single mother, Hafiza has already started to build a successful life in Birmingham with a lot of promising prospects that make her feel hopeful. She is currently working as a beloved staff member at a local Walmart, recently being named “Champion (Employee) of the Month.” Her children love being in the United States and are learning English quickly in school. In the future, Hafiza hopes to enter the medical field and become relicensed to practice as a midwife in Alabama.

08/23/2023

Join A-KEEP for this opportunity to learn more about Korean art and culture in Montgomery!

A-KEEP is proud to announce 'The Maedeup Korean Knots Exhibition'

Time: August 28th-September 8
At: RSA Alabama Commerce Center
401 Adam Avenue
Montgomery, AL 36104

08/23/2023

This exhibit of a Croatian-American artist's work is open at the International Arts Center at Troy University in Troy through August 27!

08/14/2023

TeaTown in Montgomery is offering a discount for the rest of August to celebrate their anniversary!

Starting TODAY! Come celebrate our anniversary month with us!