Immigrant Journey Awards Seeks Nominations of Outstanding Immigrants in North Texas

DALLAS, March 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Now in its fifth year, the Immigrant Journey Awards recognize the most important contributions from the immigrant community to the civic and economic vitality of North Texas. Awards will be handed out in four categories – Immigrant Entrepreneur, Immigrant Professional Excellence, Immigrant Advocate, and Immigrant Spirit. The deadline for nominations is April 15, and the awards luncheon will be held on Friday, June 10 in Dallas. This year's keynote speaker is University of Texas at Arlington President, Dr. Vistasp M. Karbhari.  

"Immigration is tremendously beneficial to the economic health and cultural wealth of Texas," says Ann Massey Badmus, immigration attorney and chair of the Immigrant Journey Awards program. "Immigrants make important positive contributions in every facet of life, from the business world to the public square. We see these annual awards as a way to celebrate all of those contributions and advocate immigrants throughout North Texas and beyond."

According to the Partnership for a New American Economy, more than 4 million Texas residents – about 16% of the population – were foreign-born as of 2013. Between 2000 and 2013, the immigrant population grew by an astonishing 45%.

It's hard to overstate the ongoing influence that immigrants have had on the health and vitality of the Lone Star State. At the leading research universities, over half of STEM graduates hail from outside the U.S. With an economy that's steadily moving toward greater reliance on technical professions, STEM education will become increasingly important. Meanwhile, in the commercial arena, immigrant-owned businesses account for $10 billion in annual income. That number, too, is only projected to grow, especially considering immigrants are twice as likely to start a new enterprise.

The Immigrant Entrepreneur Award is bestowed on an individual who has built a highly successful business in North Texas, and who sets a great example for other motivated entrepreneurs around the state and the nation. Immigrants who have made remarkable strides in a professional field are eligible for the Immigrant Professional Excellence Award. The Immigrant Spirit Award recognizes an elected official or other civic leader who has contributed substantially to the well-being of the entire community or region. Finally, the Immigrant Advocate Award is reserved for an individual, organization, business, or government entity that has made a powerful and positive impact on the welfare of immigrants via public advocacy.

The Immigrant  Journey Summit and Awards coincides and is partnered with Immigrant Heritage Month,  an opportunity for everyone to rally around the  diversity of the country and celebrate our shared heritage as a nation of immigrants. 

About the Immigrant Journey Summit and Awards

Presented by Dallas law firm, Cowles & Thompson, PC, the Immigrant Journey Summit and Awards celebrate outstanding immigrants and their advocates in the U.S.  For more information and to submit a nomination, visit immigrantjourney.org.    

Contact:
Ann Massey Badmus
Chair, Immigrant Journey Summit & Awards
901 Main Street, Suite 3900
Dallas, TX 75202
214-672-2161
Email

SOURCE Immigrant Journey Summit and Awards

Related Links

http://immigrantjourney.org