{"id":1015,"date":"2026-07-16T03:12:25","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T17:12:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/marn.blog\/?page_id=1015"},"modified":"2026-07-19T16:56:27","modified_gmt":"2026-07-19T06:56:27","slug":"2026-symposium","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/marn.blog\/index.php\/2026-symposium\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 Symposium"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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2026 Community Research Symposium<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n
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Event Information<\/span> <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Everything you need to know about the 2026 Community Research Symposium.<\/p><\/blockquote>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Date<\/h3>

Friday, June 5, 2026 <\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Time<\/h3>

9 am \u2013 3:30 pm (EST)<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Location<\/h3>

Greensboro Central Library, 219 N. Church St. Greensboro, NC 27402<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Parking<\/h3>

Free parking available at the church Street Parking Deck<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Program<\/h3>

View the Full program and session details<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Complimentary Parking<\/h3>

Scan the QR code to view parking location on Google Maps<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Session 1 <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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9:00-10:00\u00a0<\/span>SPECIAL:\u00a0<\/span>Coffee with Policy Influencers<\/span><\/div>

Registration and a coffee hour hosted by Montagnard Association of NC.\u200b Get to the heart of the Symposium theme by conversing with key state and local influencers about their reports that inspired today\u2019s sessions.<\/span><\/p>

Bethany A. Wagner,\u00a0<\/span>Manager, Office of Language and Communication Access, NCDHHS; Commissioner, Governor\u2019s Commission on Accessibility<\/span><\/p>

Andrew J. Young,\u00a0<\/span>Co-founder, MACRDN; Commissioner, Governor\u2019s Commission on Accessibility<\/span><\/p>

Carrie Rosario,<\/span>\u00a0Associate Professor, UNCG; Member, North Carolina Institute of<\/span><\/p>

Medicine Board of Directors<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Yazmin Garcia Rico, Jamilla Pinder, Christina Yongue,\u00a0<\/span>Directors of Community Engagement and Impact, Cone Health Foundation\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

\u2022<\/span>Report by the Governor’s Interagency Working Group: State View for New Americans (2024)<\/span><\/a><\/p>

\u2022<\/span>NCIOM\/El Futuro, Immigrant Mental Health in North Carolina: A Landscape Analysis (2024<\/span><\/a>)<\/span><\/p>

\u2022<\/span>Cone Health Foundation Community Report (2024<\/span><\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Session 2 <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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10:00-11:00\u00a0<\/span>Resources: What We\u2019re Up Against<\/span><\/div>

This panel brings together community leaders, funding organization representatives, and demographers to consider how recent political, institutional, and financial changes have impacted our work. How might we locate other sources of (continued) support, and how do we leverage alliances to the benefit of all? We aim to highlight key issues and articulate practical solutions.<\/span><\/p>

Moderators: Becky Butler,\u00a0<\/span>Carolina Asia Center, UNC-CH<\/span>; and Kevin Kim,\u00a0<\/span>Asian American Center, UNC-CH<\/span><\/p>

Madison Allen,\u00a0<\/span>Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust<\/span><\/p>

Stacey Carless,\u00a0<\/span>NC Counts Coalition<\/span><\/p>

Sachi Dely,\u00a0<\/span>Montagnard Association of North Carolina<\/span><\/p>

Marthalenar Nya Mar,\u00a0<\/span>Bamboo Roots<\/span><\/p>

Denise Powell,\u00a0<\/span>Powell & Associates<\/span><\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Session 3 <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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11:00-12:00\u00a0<\/span>Community Narratives in Policy and Practice\u00a0<\/span><\/div>

This session explores how policymakers can help communities share and preserve their narratives and cultural traditions. Speakers will discuss the importance of lived experience, oral histories, and new media alongside academic research in shaping collective memory and identity. Participants will gain practical strategies for engaging communities and integrating community-driven research into programs, partnerships, and policy decisions.<\/span><\/p>

Moderator: Sara Colm,\u00a0<\/span>Montagnard\/Asian Community Disparities Research Network<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Lap Siu,\u00a0<\/span>Anthropology Lecturer, Texas Tech University; Creator of the<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Montagnard Channel<\/span><\/p>

Pastor Prince Mundeke,\u00a0<\/span>Mundeke Gospel Mission<\/span><\/p>

Shahpeerai Aimaq,\u00a0<\/span>International Advisory Committee, City of Greensboro<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Romat Eban,\u00a0<\/span>Montagnard Community Assistance<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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12:00-1:30 Lunch and SPECIAL Round Table Role Play<\/span><\/div>

A what-if scenario presented by moderator Stephen Sills to role players familiar with recent reports from the Governor\u2019s Office, NCIOM, and Cone Foundation on refugees, immigrants, and communities in order to react, respond, and engage with one another across institutional traditions and silos. What happens when communities come to the table as coequals? How can funding cuts and dramatically shifting politics be opportunities for a fairer, more equitable Triad?<\/span><\/p>

Moderator: Stephen Sills,\u00a0<\/span>Innovative Research Insights<\/span><\/p>

Lily Chen,\u00a0<\/span>UCA Waves<\/span><\/p>

Vung Ksor,\u00a0<\/span>UNCG StrongMinds<\/span><\/p>

Franca Jalloh,\u00a0<\/span>Jalloh’s Upright Services of North Carolina\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Maria Mayorga,\u00a0<\/span>Blueprint NC<\/span><\/p>

Chauncey Greene,\u00a0<\/span>Co-Director of Joint Field Instruction, UNCG\/NCAT<\/span><\/p>

Mir Habibullah Akhgar,<\/span>\u00a0NC Afghan Association<\/span><\/p>

Ivey Ghee,\u00a0<\/span>The Hospitality G<\/span><\/p>

Hector Suarez,\u00a0<\/span>Siembra<\/span><\/p>

Anna Pennell,\u00a0<\/span>Guilford College<\/span><\/p><\/div>

The Setting<\/span><\/p>

MacKenzie Scott made national headlines the other day when her foundation announced that a small community nonprofit in the Southern city of Green Acres will receive something north of twenty-five million dollars. Typically her foundation places no strings on grant recipients; they are awarded based on the foundation\u2019s own review and assessment of those who receive these large sum grants.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Green Acres is a medium sized city and one of the state\u2019s earliest communities to resettle large numbers of refugees. It also has a sizable immigrant population. Today Green Acres finds itself an unexpectedly international city. The award recipient, a community-based organization created and controlled by the Highland Folk, a refugee community, has a long record of successes despite the community\u2019s relative poverty when it first arrived decades ago. While everyone is excited that Green Acres has been the subject of positive reporting and media attention, they wonder what the nonprofit will do with this staggering gift.<\/span><\/p>

Round Table Role-Players, what advice would you give?<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Breakout Session 5 <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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1:30-2:30\u00a0<\/span>Health\u00a0<\/span><\/div>

This session explores creative, culturally grounded strategies for promoting mental health and healing within Southeast Asian communities, especially those with refugee origins. The aim is to address urgent mental health needs while celebrating community strengths and creativity.<\/span><\/p>

Moderator: Ana Sucaldito, UNCG\/MACDRN<\/span><\/p>

Laura Mrosla,\u00a0<\/span>MPH\/MSW\u00a0<\/span>and<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Pany Julia Mounsamlouath,<\/span>\u00a0Guilford County Department of Public Health<\/span><\/p>

Hidden in the Data: Disaggregating Southeast Asian Vital Records Data<\/span><\/p>

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Khaoula Bouti,\u00a0<\/span>PhD candidate, UNCG<\/span><\/p>

Mapping the Gap: Where SEA Communities Live vs. Where Services Reach<\/span><\/p>

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Rich Enoul,\u00a0<\/span>Community Member & Advocate<\/span><\/p>

After the Rescue: The Mental Trauma Human Trafficking Leaves Behind<\/span><\/p>

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Nida Qamar,\u00a0<\/span>PhD candidate, UNCG<\/span><\/p>

Toward Healing: Public Health Educators\u2019 Creative Role in Trafficking Trauma Recovery<\/span><\/p>

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Htey Meh,\u00a0<\/span>MSW, Bamboo Roots<\/span><\/p>

Rooted in Resilience: Culturally Responsive, Community Mental Health Programming<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Breakout Session 6 <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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1:30-2:30\u00a0<\/span>Succession: Preparing Next Gen Professionals<\/span><\/div>

This session showcases models for co-governance in health, education, social services, and civic life highlighting how shared leadership strengthens systems and improves outcomes. We invite policymakers, funders, and institutional leaders to move from token consultation to shared governance with communities that have lived expertise and demonstrated leadership capacity. We emphasize that they are not passive beneficiaries but co-strategists\u2014ready with solutions, insights, and culturally grounded practices.<\/span><\/p>

Moderator: Andrew Young,\u00a0<\/span>MACDRN<\/span><\/p>

Bob King,\u00a0<\/span>UNCSA (ret)<\/span><\/p>

The Montagnard Community in the Course:<\/span>\u00a0UNCSA (2011)<\/span><\/a><\/p>

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Sharon Morrison,\u00a0<\/span>UNCG<\/span><\/p>

From Cultural Brokers to Community Leaders: How Montagnard Youth Are Changing Systems (2026)<\/span><\/p>

Discussants<\/span><\/p>

James Shield,\u00a0<\/span>African American Cultural Center\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Leslie Garvin,\u00a0<\/span>NC Campus Engagement\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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2:30-3:30\u00a0<\/span>Culture Worth Creating<\/span><\/div>

We center on equitable systems change, community-driven history, and healing and wellness that are grounded in partnerships that work for everyone. This is a culture worth creating for all.<\/span><\/p>

Moderators: Sachi Dely,\u00a0<\/span>Montagnard Association of NC<\/span>, Lee Meh,\u00a0<\/span>Bamboo Roots<\/span><\/p>

Threads<\/span>, a movie short by Quyen Nguyen-Le<\/span><\/p>

Glenn Perkins,\u00a0<\/span>Greensboro History Museum<\/span><\/p>

Ayla Amon,\u00a0<\/span>Greensboro History Museum<\/span><\/p>

My Walk For Change<\/span><\/p>

Jenny Lee,<\/span>\u00a0Montagnard\/Asian Community Disparities Research Network<\/span><\/p>

The Montagnard\/Asian Community Disparities Research Network thanks the Montagnard Association of North Carolina for funding and assistance. We gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, UNC Greensboro; from the Office of Research in the School of Health and Human Services at UNC Greensboro; from Cone Health Foundation; and from our Research Network members.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n

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Important Details\n<\/span><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\u2022 Friday, June 5, 9 AM \u2013 3:30 PM\n\n\u2022 Greensboro Central Library\n219 N. Church St. Greensboro, NC 27402\n\n \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFree Parking -- with the QR Code above -- at the Church Street Parking Deck at 215 N. Church St., Greensboro, NC 27401\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tProgram Spotlight\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tOur institutions and our communities face common concerns about the political landscape and resources that have either been drastically reduced or eliminated. What happens when communities come to the table as coequals? How can funding cuts and dramatically shifting politics be opportunities for a fairer, more equitable Triad?\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n
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Help us build a Montagnard Community Wellness Center:\n<\/span>\n
Voices of the Future<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Your support helps us create a healthier, stronger future for our community.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Donate Now<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n
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Stay Connected<\/span>\n
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Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest updates on events, meetings, programs, news, and more.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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