The City of Boise and the Idaho Office for Refugees are teaming up to host a public storytelling event Wednesday evening that places refugee experiences at the center of a broader commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary. “We the People: Becoming American” is scheduled for Thursday, June 4, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Jack’s Urban Meeting Place (JUMP), located at 1000 W Myrtle St. in downtown Boise.
Stories of Displacement and New Beginnings
The evening will feature personal accounts from a lineup of storytellers who arrived in the United States after fleeing difficult circumstances in their home countries. Participants hail from Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, Uganda, and Rwanda. Named storytellers include Alla Aguilar, Tom Kanon, Moses Mukengezi, Yasmin Aguilar, and Ezra ‘Kevin’ Irankunda. The program will open with a song performed by Ernestine.
Each storyteller’s narrative centers on themes of displacement, resettlement, and the process of building a life in America — experiences that, collectively, span multiple continents and conflict zones. The event is framed as part of the nationwide America 250 commemoration, which marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
Boise has long served as one of Idaho’s primary resettlement communities for refugees arriving from around the world, and events like this one give longtime residents a window into the journeys their newer neighbors have made to arrive here in the Treasure Valley.
Event Details and Accessibility
Doors and the venue’s lower level open at 5:00 p.m., with drinks and small bites available for purchase before the program begins. The formal storytelling program kicks off at 6:30 p.m. on the 6th Floor in the Pioneer Room at JUMP.
Attendees who arrive early can also explore Boise Public Library’s Excitetrike, which will be available at the venue before the main program starts.
Admission is free and open to the general public. American Sign Language interpretation and language access services will be provided at no cost to attendees. Those who require specific accommodations can contact the city’s Community Engagement office in advance by emailing CommunityEngagement@cityofboise.org or by calling (208) 972-8500. TTY users may reach the office via 711.
Part of a Broader America 250 Effort
The America 250 initiative is a nationwide effort to recognize the seminal events, people, and stories that have shaped the United States since its founding in 1776. By tying a refugee storytelling event to that commemoration, the City of Boise and the Idaho Office for Refugees are highlighting the ongoing role that immigration and resettlement have played in shaping communities across Idaho and the country.
For questions related to arts and history programming connected to the event, the contact number listed is (208) 608-7050.
What Comes Next
The event takes place this Thursday, June 4, at 6:30 p.m. at JUMP, 1000 W Myrtle St., Boise. Venue access and light refreshments begin at 5:00 p.m. on the lower level, with the storytelling program on the 6th Floor Pioneer Room starting at 6:30 p.m.
The event is free, open to all members of the public, and includes no-cost accessibility services including ASL interpretation. Ada County residents interested in attending or requesting accommodations can reach city staff at CommunityEngagement@cityofboise.org or (208) 972-8500 ahead of the event.
Boise-area residents looking for additional community events or information about refugee resettlement programs in Ada County can also contact the Idaho Office for Refugees directly for more information about services and upcoming programming.