The Welcoming Tennessee Initiative (WTI)
WTI is a collaboration of concerned Tennesseans from all walks of life – business, law enforcement, community and faith – who are proud that Tennessee is a welcoming state, and are working to continue that noble tradition by increasing understanding of how New Tennesseans share our values, contribute to our economy, enhance our combined culture and strengthen our communities.
Most Tennesseans agree that we are and should continue to be hospitable, empathetic people. We have a responsibility to treat everyone – neighbors and visitors alike – with respect and decency.
In pursuit of our these values, Welcoming Tennessee holds public forums, educational presentations, and other community events to foster an open dialogue about immigration and New Tennesseans. Led by local leaders from Memphis to Knoxville, WTI strives to create an atmosphere where the concerns of all of Tennessee's residents are recognized, so that we can move forward to create a better state for all.
The people inside those coffee shops are the kind Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition workers want to reach. The group recently received a $50,000 grant to expand its Welcoming Tennessee program, money to fund thought-provoking billboards or gather people to air fears and complaints.
Other groups are joining in — starting conversations about the estimated 4 percent of Tennessee's population born in other countries. The topics are as simple as why various groups settled here and as complex as immigration and tax laws.
"We're not so much trying to change the public's concept of who is American … but to get people to think, to use reason instead of reacting to immigrants from a place of frustration and fear," said Stephen Fotopulos, the coalition's executive director.
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The Welcoming Tennessee Initiative is honored to have been chosen as one of the four winners of The Migration Policy Institute's inaugural E Plurbis Unum national awards for exceptional immigrant integration initiatives. Click here for more information!
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Get Involved:
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Recent Events:
Somali Documentary Screening in Shelbyville, TN
On Sunday April 19th, a diverse group of Shelbyville citizens hosted a forum about the Somali culture in an effort to educate the community about Shelbyville’s newest Americans. Leaders of the Somali community along with El Centro Latino, SOCM, NPT and Welcoming Tennessee organized this event to address the growing concerns and misunderstandings within the city. Nearly 50 local residents attended the event, which was hosted in the Shelbyville Chamber of Commerce function room.
Click here to read more about the event.
Myth of the Month:
Common Myths About Immigrants and Immigration in Tennessee
Myth #3: Immigrants don’t pay taxes. In fact, Tennessee government is funded by sales and property taxes. Everyone pays these taxes, and the TN Comptroller reports that “Unauthorized aliens contribute to state and local revenue through sales tax, property tax included in rents and other consumption taxes” (TN Comptroller Report on immigration). Despite the legal obstacles, an estimated 60% of undocumented immigrants also pay federal income tax without access to the many federal programs they fund (Pew Hispanic Center)...
Click here to read more about myths
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