Immigrant & Refugee Stories

CityStream explores the power of community and the connections that grow through shared passions and purpose. We step into the world of mahjong, where strategy and chance bring people together around the table. Then we visit Green Lake Pitch & Putt, America’s oldest course of its kind, where golfers trade frustration for friendship and fun. Finally, we discover the enduring legacy of Seattle’s First African Methodist Episcopal Church and how its activism continues to amplify Black voices. Host Lindsay Cohen and her dog, Otis Redding, guide us through Green Lake Park.

Intergenerational mahjong shows how a simple game can spark powerful connections. Organizer PeiPei Sung asks, “What if we all play together, and build community together?” Watch how players of all ages come together, share culture, and strengthen relationships through the timeless rhythm of mahjong. Producer Ian Devier has the story from Seattle's Union Station.

What is it about the game mahjong that makes it popular? Is it the clicking of the colorful tiles? Maybe it's the blend of skill, and chance, along with the rush of getting a winning hand? Producers Kathy Tuohey and Valerie Vozza show us why this 200-year-old game is so inviting to all... skilled or beginner, young and old.

IMAX technology was first introduced in Japan in 1970, and the name stands for “Image Maximum.” During the ’70s and ’80s, IMAX became a staple in museums and science centers before expanding into commercial theaters in the ’90s and 2000s. Lead projectionist David Dukart gives us a look at the technology powering the massive screen at the PACCAR IMAX Theater at Pacific Science Center.

Getting your first job is a major milestone in a young person’s life. But sometimes language barriers, limited access to opportunity, or simply life itself can get in the way. El Centro de la Raza (The Center for People of All Races) helps Seattle-area high school students clear that path through its J.O.B.S. Readiness Program. For many, it is the nudge they need to find success. Enrique Cerna and producer Randy Eng bring us the story.

Music is a huge part of Latin culture, but classical music? Not always so much. Orquesta Northwest wants to change that with a youth-focused program rooted in Latin culture. For students and their parents, it becomes a source of pride — a chance to see, and hear, what dedication sounds like. Enrique Cerna and producer Randy Eng bring us the story.

CityStream highlights how Seattle’s Latino community is finding strength and solidarity in challenging times. The episode spotlights how music, journalism, art, food, and youth opportunity are helping some in the community feel seen, supported, and empowered. Host Enrique Cerna has these stories from the White Center neighborhood.

Many Seattle communities are welcoming the Lunar New Year, marking the Year of the Fire Horse. In the Vietnamese community, the holiday is known as Tết. Quynh Pham, newly appointed Director of Seattle’s Department of Neighborhoods, shares the rituals and cultural customs of the week-long celebration, and how it brings Seattle’s Vietnamese community together. Video by Randy Eng

For 17 years, Jaime Mendez served as the main anchor of Seattle’s only local Spanish-language newscast. That came to an end in late 2023 when Sinclair Broadcasting dropped its Seattle Univision affiliate. But on Jan. 1, 2024, Mendez and his wife, Diana Oliveros, launched Se Habla Media, an independent outlet providing Spanish-language news and information. In an era marked by ICE raids and deportations, their program, Jaime Mendez News, has become a vital and trusted source for a Spanish-speaking community living in fear. Video created by Enrique Cerna and Randy Eng

"You get to see people be so happy." The kaleidoscope of flowers at Pike Place Market is largely grown by Hmong farmers, including Lue Thao, a first-generation Hmong flower farmer and owner of Thai Tao Farm. She shares her journey from fleeing war to filling one of the nation’s most iconic farmers markets with vibrant blooms. Video by Randy Eng, in collaboration with the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DON). Read 'Meet the Hmong Farmers Selling Flowers at Pike Place Market'

The traditional music of a booming drum, crashing cymbals, and a ringing gong filled the lobby of Seattle City Hall as two lions danced and interacted with the audience. The Mak Fai Kung Fu Dragon and Lion Dance Association performed to mark Seattle City Council’s recognition of the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, which starts Saturday, Feb. 10 and runs through Feb. 20. The proclamation, initiated by Linh Thai and read by Councilmember Tanya Woo, has been praised for its efforts to embrace and bolster cultural diversity and inclusivity in the city.

As you walk through Pike Place Market, it’s hard to miss the vibrant colors coming from East Africa Fine Art where the clothing and canvasses have a wildlife theme. All designs are inspired by images seen firsthand by owner and artist Wais Ali. As an immigrant from the East African country of Djibouti, Ali regularly saw giraffes, lions, and even goats foraging high up in trees! Wais Ali is one of 14 Black business owners at Pike Place Market. His story is one of several being featured as part of Black History Month.

Drawing on his heritage, Solomon Dubie converted the Rainier Valley convenience store he ran into an Ethiopian coffee shop steeped in community. Inspired by his mother's traditional brewing methods, the young entrepreneur realized his dream of opening an inviting café to preserve connections in the diverse and growing Rainier Beach neighborhood. In the complex Ethiopian coffee culture, "Avole," pronounced "ah-bohl," translates to that first strong cup of coffee.