Introducing Our 2021 New American Champion!
For nearly fifty years, Columbus residents have been able to celebrate the diversity of local communities at the annual International Taste of Columbus event. Through food and fellowship, participants celebrate the diversity of our community and raise funds for charitable causes. In 2019, US Together started a new tradition as a part of the event - the announcement of its annual award recipient, the “New American Champion”. The award honors prominent community leaders and celebrates their remarkable work and dedication to uplifting refugees and immigrants in Columbus.
This year, US Together’s New American Champion is Dr. Rosaire Ifedi.
Nadia Kasvin and Dr. Rosaire Ifedi, 2021 New American Champion Awardee
Originally from Nigeria, Dr. Ifedi came to the United States 30 years ago. She is married and blessed with four grown children Amaris, Chinedu, Imani, and Chisom. Despite her family being considered middle class in Nigeria and her father, who was a physician, passing away when she was four years old, she still graduated from the University of Nigeria at the age of eighteen. Once in the U.S., Dr. Ifedi worked hard in academia and pastoral roles. She has also authored books, book chapters, and articles and presented nationally and internationally. Her first book, “African-Born Women Faculty in the U.S.: Lives in Contradiction” (Mellen Press, 2008) is important in the research on this unique population in the Diaspora.
Dr. Ifedi also made history by being elected the inaugural chair of Ohio New African Immigrants Commission (NAIC) from 2017-2019, having been appointed by Gov. John Kasich in 2017. The NAIC was created by consent of the Ohio Governor and legislature to advocate for Africans in Ohio.
As of today, she has earned her doctorate from Ashland University, where she teaches graduate courses in research, curriculum, diversity, and global education. She examines the intersections of race and identity for immigrant students and the teachers who work with international students.
Dr. Ifedi also chaired the Subcommittee on African Immigrants, City of Columbus/ Franklin County 2020 U.S. Census Complete Count Committee which was co-chaired by Mayor Andrew Ginther and Franklin County Commissioner Kevin Boyce. She participates as Chair or Member on several Boards that strive to empower marginalized communities. Some of these include the Central Ohio Parent Leadership Training Institute (COPLTI), In His Presence Holistic Resources (INPREM); 4OurHelpers, and In Support of Public Education (ISOPEF -Nigeria).
Her most recent publication is an autoethnography, "'My Darling Jesus!' A Simple Walk with an Awesome God". In the book she walks her readers through stories of her innate desire to meet God throughout her life. For her, faith is both spiritual and secular. It is not to be preached and theorized on Sundays, but it manifests in tangible and practical ways in her daily lived experiences.
Watch Dr. Ifedi in US Together’s original short film highlighting New American women in Columbus at the 47th Annual International Taste of Columbus on August 26th. The theme of the event is Women’s Empowerment.
The 47th Annual International Taste of Columbus is sponsored by:
