The Immigrant Leadership Institute will be holding a free, public conversation in Center City on June 26 to discuss the promotion of opportunities for immigrant professionals seeking employment in Philadelphia, including a presentation from Souleymane Fall, director of employment services at the Jewish Employment and Vocational Service (JEVS).

The conversation, “Support Immigrant Professionals,” will give attendees the chance to expand their professional network and seek out local immigrant talent. The institute is known for its five-month training program offered by the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians that aims to give foreign-born residents the knowledge and skills they need to be social, cultural and political participants in the Greater Philadelphia region. The institute and event are funded by the Knight Foundation, which is an active donor to programs that promote civic engagement and economic opportunity for an inclusive and informed community in the city.

“We believe that our city grows stronger when all residents are given the opportunity to engage,” reads the Welcoming Center’s website. “Thus, increasing the substantive participation of immigrant communities in the decision-making processes of our city is crucial.”

This event represents the coming together of the four organizations - the Institute, Welcoming Center, Knight Foundation and JEVS - which all work to expand employment opportunities for those facing adversity because of their socioeconomic conditions, and aim to foster the development of a successful and independent immigrant population. They emphasize the importance of having the foreign-born communities’ voices involved in Philadelphia’s decision-making processes.

“For the past 15 years, the Welcoming Center has been helping immigrants and refugees build the skills, knowledge and networks they need to succeed in America,” Welcoming Center President and CEO Peter Gonzales said last week at AL DÍA’s I am an American Immigrant Reception on June 14.

The conversation will be held at the Municipal Services Building Innovation Lab on the 16th floor of 1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd on June 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. It is open to the public and will serve refreshments. Attendees can register and learn more about the event here.