Celebrating Community and Belonging: Highlights from Philadelphia’s 2025 Welcoming Awards

The Office of Immigrant Affairs hosted the annual Welcoming Awards Ceremony on Thursday, November 13, 2025, bringing together community leaders, residents, and City partners to honor the extraordinary contributions of Philadelphia's immigrant communities. The evening was filled with culture, connection, and celebration - a reflection of the rich diversity that makes our city home.

Since its launch in 2022, the Welcoming Awards have recognized individuals and organizations whose work ensures that immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers can thrive in Philadelphia. As one of the nation's Certified Welcoming Cities, this commitment is woven into the fabric of local government and community life - and this event celebrated the people helping bring that commitment to life.

A Night of Recognition and Celebration
The ceremony included remarks from City officials, cultural performances, and awards across six categories representing the many ways welcoming work takes shape in Philadelphia - from education access to environmental stewardship.

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker shared her appreciation for partners working to make Philadelphia stronger and more inclusive:
"As One Philly, a United City, we are proud to host the annual Welcoming Awards, a celebration of the community partners and government leaders whose work makes Philadelphia more inclusive and welcoming for immigrants. Immigrants are essential to our city's progress and vitality, playing a vital role in realizing our vision of making Philadelphia the safest, cleanest, greenest big city in the nation, with access to economic opportunity for all."
Office of Immigrant Affairs Director Charles Elison emphasized the importance of collaboration:
"It's because of the tireless work of community leaders and immigrant-serving organizations that Philadelphia continues to be a place where immigrants, refugees, and asylum-seekers feel supported and can thrive. Our office is proud to stand alongside these partners as we expand access to resources, strengthen protections, and celebrate the collective progress we've made toward a more inclusive and welcoming city for all."

2025 Welcoming Awards Honorees
This year's honorees reflect the dedication and partnership of both community leaders and City representatives working together to strengthen Philadelphia as a place of belonging.

Education Excellence Award
Honoring efforts to expand educational access and opportunity.
• Anne Marie LeBresco, Philadelphia Office of City Commissioners
• Julio Nuñez, Philadelphia Resident

Public Safety Partnership Award
Recognizing work to build trust and safety across immigrant communities.
• Randy Duque, Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations
• Miguel Andrade Esteban, Fuerza

Arts and Culture Appreciation Award
Celebrating leadership in preserving and uplifting cultural heritage and artistic expression.
• Harianned Chaurel, Office of the City Representative
• Sinta Penyami Storms, Modero Dance

Economic Empowerment Award
Highlighting efforts to expand economic mobility and equitable opportunity.
• Department of Commerce - Philadelphia Immigrant Employment Collaborative (PIEC)
• Shirin Karsan, Philadelphia Resident

Health and Wellness Award
Recognizing individuals and organizations advancing access to health and well-being.
• Elizabeth (Liz) Pride, Office of Domestic Violence Strategies
• Latino Health Collective (LHC)

Clean and Green Award
Honoring contributions to creating a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable city.
• Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee (PMBC)
• Mariame Tadjiddine, African Cultural Alliance of North America (ACANA)

Directors Awards

The directors of the Office of Immigrant Affairs selected six leadership organizations and individuals who have inspired the office through outstanding leadership, service, and compassion in the realm of immigrant affairs.

• Kerri Smith, Office of Innovation and Technology. Honored for her leadership in advancing language access and immigrant inclusion across Philadelphia city services.

• Puentes De Salud, Honored for their unwavering commitment to immigrant health, wellness, and empowerment in Philadelphia.

• Matheus Paganini, Pagnini Institute. Honored for his work with the Paganini Institute, a multidisciplinary center focused on excellence and transformation through education.

• Rey Borres, Mutya Philippine Dance Company. Honored for his work as artistic Director and Co-Founder of the Mutya Philippine Dance Company, for his lifelong dedication to preserving and sharing Filipino heritage through dance, music, and storytelling.

• The Global Skills Union Pathways Project Team, Welcoming Center. Honored for their groundbreaking work advancing immigrant economic mobility in Philadelphia.

• Nadia Hironka and Matthew Suib. Honored for their passion, talent and hard work developing art with a goal to foster deeper understanding of immigrant challenges, triumphs, and diverse community narratives within Philadelphia.

Looking ahead
The 2025 Welcoming Awards served as a meaningful reminder that building an inclusive city is a long-term effort - one grounded in partnership, collaboration, and shared purpose. The work of this year's honorees continues to inspire us and strengthen Philadelphia as a place where every resident feels seen, supported, and welcome.

We extend our deep congratulationsto all award recipients and gratitude to the many leaders who continue to make Philadelphia a thriving home for all.
To learn more about programs, upcoming events, or ways to get involved with the Office of Immigrant Affairs, we invite you to stay connected by signing up for our newsletter.

Together, we continue building a city of belonging - one relationship, one initiative, and one community at a time.

View images from the awards on the Office of Immigrant Affairs Flikr account.