On July 21, 2009, CAPI’s “Civic Rights and Responsibilities: A Refugee and Immigrant Journey”  brought 200 artists, community activists, civic and business leaders, policy makers, educators and students to engage the Twin Cities’ communities in a conversation that broad-based social change is possible and needed through advocacy, civic engagement, and community activism.

This landmark community event also celebrated the Weisman Art Museum’s Somali photography exhibit by Abdi Roble, “Stories of the Somali Diaspora” which documents a compelling visual Somali refugee experience.  A panel of accomplished Twin Cities and national leaders shared their experiences and vision. Featured were Matt Entenza, Former State Representative and founder of Minnesota 20/20; Wing Young Huie, an award-winning photographer; Minnesota Senator Patricia Torres Ray; Hussein Samatar, Founder & Executive Director of the African Development Center; and Kao Kalia Yang, author and recipient of the 2009 Minnesota Book Awards for “The Latehomecomer: a Hmong Family Memoir.”  Peggy Saika, President/Executive Director of the Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (based in San Francisco), facilitated a dialogue between panelists and the larger Twin Cities audience.  Photographer Wing Young Huie also presented a photography slide show, “Identity in the American Landscape.”