PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Adama Bah, Executive Director and Founder of Afrikana, on Language Access for Black Immigrants
2:55:52
·
3 min
Adama Bah, Executive Director of Afrikana, testifies about the urgent needs of Black immigrants in New York City, emphasizing the lack of culturally competent services and effective language access. She highlights the importance of addressing trauma, cultural nuances in language services, and the need for systematic change in supporting Black migrants.
- Bah stresses that current language services focus mainly on West African languages, neglecting East and Central African languages.
- Afrikana has trained hundreds of Black Americans to be translators and interpreters, offering a potential solution to language access issues.
- The testimony calls for urgent action and investment from the city to provide culturally competent support for Black immigrants.
Adama Bah
2:55:52
Good afternoon, councilwoman, and thank you for the opportunity to speak today.
2:55:56
My name is Ada Mabat, and I'm the executive director and founder of Afrikaana, a Blackled organization dedicated to 7 black immigrant community here in New York State.
2:56:07
I am here today to bring attention to the urgent girl needs of black Americans in the city.
2:56:11
These are people who have fled unalienable trauma violence and persecution seeking refuge in the USA.
2:56:18
But the reality they face is one of systematic race to unblock and their lack of culturally competent services.
2:56:25
I want to leave you with 3 powerful examples to reflect the truth of what is happening.
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First, black migrants are not just numbers in the systems.
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They are mothers, fathers, and children who have fled unimaginable trauma and deserve culturally competent trauma informed support, not just a roof over their head, is not enough to provide shelter without recognizing the mental and emotional scars these individuals can.
2:56:50
We have seen a tool that war persecution and forced migration take on these founding, yet the city's current systems are not equipped to address their deep psychological need.
2:57:01
2nd language access is not simply about translation or interpretation.
2:57:06
It's about understanding cultural nuances and differences that shape how people express their needs, heal, and navigate trauma.
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The city must recognize and invest in this reality.
2:57:16
While some might best be French, Wallace or Poland, There are countless others who speak Somalia, Lingala, or Jalan.
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I want to iterate a critical issue.
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The city's language line is not working effectively for black migrants.
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The focus has been almost exclusively on West African languages like French and Wolff, but this leaves out countless migrants from East And Central Africa who speak languages such as Somalia, Wailea.
2:57:43
Even when translation or interpretation is available, it's not just about understanding of words What's missing is a deep understanding of the cultural context behind these words.
2:57:53
Without this, even the best intention of services fall short, and our communities continue to suffer in silence.
2:58:00
Without this black markets are left isolated, misunder misunderstood and underserved.
2:58:06
Finally, Africa is stepping in where the city has fallen short for for free.
2:58:11
But we cannot do this alone.
2:58:13
We need the city to provide meaningful culturally expand language access acknowledge the full diversity of African migrants in this city.
2:58:21
At Africa, we are on the ground everyday translate and provide a mental health support and help people navigate complex systems, but this burden cannot be carried by a volunteer led organization alone.
2:58:33
We need systematic change, and we need it now.
2:58:36
Africa has trained hundreds of black Americans who speaks different languages, including English, to be translators and interpreters, and we are expanding our training The solution is out there.
2:58:47
It's just not being implemented by with the by implemented by the people with knowledge and experience.
2:58:52
Thank you for your time, and I urge us all to act with urgency and compassion for black markets in the city who need your support.
2:59:00
Thank you.
