Margaret W. Wong & Associates LLC Celebrates Diversity and Immigration Leadership Across Northeast Ohio.

On Saturday, April 25, Margaret W. Wong & Associates LLC proudly sponsored four community events across Cleveland and Northeast Ohio. Collectively, these events highlighted diversity, inclusivity, and the achievements of immigrant communities. In addition, they celebrated the important contributions of internationals who have made the United States their home.

Hispanic Leadership Conference in Lorain, Ohio

Accordingly, our first stop was Lorain High School, where we tabled at the 26th Annual Hispanic Leadership Conference. The event was organized by the Coalition for Hispanic/Latino Issues & Progress (CHIP). CHIP is committed to “Opening Doors” while addressing key issues affecting the Hispanic and Latino community.
👉 https://chiplorain.org/

As noted in a letter from Juanita Senquiz, President of CHIP, this year’s theme was “Unidos Podemos, United We Can.” Importantly, the theme honored collaboration within the Hispanic community and emphasized collective progress.

The keynote address was delivered by Ovi Vasquez, a respected author and motivational speaker. He shared his personal immigration story with the audience. Specifically, he spoke about immigrating from Central America as an impoverished teenager. Despite many obstacles, he overcame adversity through hard work and perseverance. Today, he is highly successful.
👉 https://www.impacttruth.com/ovi-vasquez/

Additionally, Lorain County Sheriff Jack Hall presented on the impact of human trafficking and immigration enforcement. He explained how these issues have affected Northern Ohio, particularly near the Canadian border.
👉 https://chroniclet.com/news/460961/lorain-county-deputies-take-13-central-american-men-into-custody-in-labor-trafficking-bust-update/

Moreover, a proclamation included in the CHIP souvenir booklet came from the Ohio General Assembly. It was sponsored by State Representative Joe Miller (District 53) and read, in part:

“Lorain is proudly known as the International City, and organizations like CHIP ensure that the city’s vibrant diversity continues to strengthen it… and improve overall quality of life.”

Cultural Connections and Support for Asylum Seekers

Next, we traveled to CentroVilla25 on West 25th Street in Cleveland. There, we attended “Cultural Connections: A Multicultural Celebration and Fundraiser.” The event was hosted by AMIS, a nonprofit dedicated to helping asylum seekers. Notably, AMIS is the only local organization that focuses on individuals who must often wait long periods before legally working.
👉 https://amisohio.org/about/

While there, we briefly spoke with Lois Annich, President of the AMIS Board. She emphasized the importance of outreach to vulnerable immigrants fleeing dangerous circumstances. Furthermore, she stressed offering practical and emotional support.

Because guidance is critical during resettlement, the name AMIS—French for “friends”—perfectly reflects the organization’s mission. Shortly after arriving, we also enjoyed a musical performance by a Congolese choir from Church of the Covenant.

Global Education at GALA Cleveland

Later that evening, we visited Global Ambassadors Language Academy (GALA). The school is located near West 130th Street and Lorain Avenue. Importantly, GALA is Ohio’s only Mandarin immersion elementary school. It is also the first dual-language immersion school in Northeast Ohio, offering instruction in Mandarin and Spanish.

We attended its 7th Annual “Gala for GALA.” The event included dinner, live performances, classroom visits, and a silent auction. Students proudly displayed their creative projects.

Unfortunately, we could only stay briefly. However, later in the evening, Cleveland City Councilwoman Jasmin Santana and George Kwan received the Culture & Language Ambassador Awards. These honors recognized their commitment to reducing barriers through language and culture.

In addition, Wanda Torres and Joshua Ford received the Excellence in Education Awards. They were honored for their leadership and dedication to strengthening the school community.
👉 https://galacleveland.org/2026-gala-for-gala/

Arab American Bar Association Banquet in Westlake

Finally, our last stop was La Centre Banquet Facility in Westlake. There, we attended the annual banquet of the Arab American Bar Association of Ohio (AABAR‑OHIO). The organization was formed so that Arab American attorneys could collaborate and overcome professional challenges together.
👉 https://www.arabamericanbarohio.org

During the program, scholarships were awarded to deserving law students. Additionally, the Trailblazer Award was presented to Tony Asher. He is a first-generation Lebanese American, a successful attorney, and a business leader. He also serves as the Honorary Consul of Lebanon for Greater Cleveland.
👉 https://hof.csulaw.org/hof-member/tony-asher/

When accepting the award, Mr. Asher spoke humbly. He expressed pride in AABAR‑OHIO and emphasized the importance of heritage. Likewise, he highlighted the privilege and responsibility of the legal profession.