Anna grew up in Russia playing volleyball, music, and being involved in theater.  Only later did she find her passion: dancing!
After completing an exchange program in Portland, as a college student, she went back to St. Petersburg and applied for a diversity green card lottery.  She won the lottery a couple of years later and came to Portland in July of 2014 to continue dancing here. 
Anna and her fiance have opened a studio called Danza Latina (at 108 High St. in Portland) and offer regular, affordable dance lessons and parties.

Music: Marc Anthony and Gente de Zona sing "La Gozadera."

Tae Chong and his family came to Maine from South Korea when he was a boy in 1976.  He attended the Portland Public Schools with his brothers at a time before there were special English classes for language learners.
After years of working in social services Tae returned to school for his MBA and has been a Business Manager at Coastal Enterprises, Inc. since.  CEI hosts a program called StartSmart which helps refugees and immigrants to start, strengthen, or expand their own small businesses. (See recent report: How Immigrants Can Strengthen Maine's Economy.)  FMI: 207-775-1984.

Tae believes in good communication and the power of human capital.  He applies these values to his work as well as two local boards supporting many newer immigrants: Catholic Charities of Maine and Portland Adult Education. 
Music: Ken Casey with Bruce Springsteen singing "American Land."

Mohammed grew up in Karbala, Iraq.  He came to this country three years ago and  arrived in Maine last year, by himself.  He is currently completing his 'post-grad" year at Portland HIgh School and awaiting word from the colleges to which he applied.

Mohammed likes to learn about the community and contribute however he can.  He has helped to move furniture with Furniture Friends and participated in 4-H.  He also makes cultural videos for CTN-5. 

Mohammed was selected by the Telling Room as one of 15 students to participate in this year's Young Writers and Leaders program, which he speaks about during this interview.  He recognizes it as a place where the program participants mature while learning to tell their stories to themselves and the public.

Music: The National Anthem of Iraq

Mufalo was raised in Lusaka, Zambia in a family of five boys and five girls.  She got a BA in Public Administration at University of Zambia and worked for an American based non-profit before she, her husband and their two year old daughter came to Portland, ME in 2000.  After receiving a warm welcome they got right to work. Mufalo has been connecting people and resources ever since.

Presently Mufalo is helping to organize a conference on the 21st of May at USM called Empower the Immigrant Woman. The Conference will kick off with a morning job/business empowerment forum focusing on helping empower immigrant women build English language job-readiness and entrepreneurship skills and learn about available services and resources while networking with employers and businesses. It will close an evening gala honoring several Remarkable Trailblazer Women from immigrant communities in Maine whose incredible and inspirational stories will leave every attendee Empowered, Educated and Inspired!
A number of agencies and organizations support immigrants but there is no existing group dedicated to helping immigrant women in the state.  Mufalo has used a collaborative strategy to create a way for women to get to know and help one another as they find their way in Maine. 

Music: Hezekiah Walker, "I Need You to Survive."