Green Card Voices, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit with a global reach, has been amplifying first person immigrant narratives since 2013. Through partnerships with schools, universities, and communities, they’ve created a platform fostering empathy and understanding between America’s immigrants and the broader audience. With programming that includes published books, traveling exhibits, and a digital library of over 500 immigrant and refugee stories from 140+ countries, they are committed to building an inclusive and integrated society.
In today’s climate, where immigration stories are often oversimplified or politicized, sharing authentic narratives is more important than ever. That’s why we’re excited to announce an opportunity for organizations and institutions across Minnesota to host this traveling exhibition, “My City Was a Sparkling Jewel: Stories of Afghan Youth Refugees.”
This exhibition, featuring 20 deeply personal stories of Afghan youth now building their lives in Minnesota, showcases their resilience, cultural richness, and aspirations. Thanks to the generous support of the Education Minnesota Foundation for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, the exhibit along with a youth speakers panel, is available free of charge for one week or one month between January and May 2025.

Why Host This Exhibit?
- Empathy Building: Gain insight into the challenges and triumphs of recent refugees as they navigate life in a new country.
- Cross-Cultural Understanding: Celebrate the diverse cultural heritage and dreams of our Afghan neighbors.
- Promote Inclusion and Belonging: Create a space for meaningful connections and understanding at a time when belonging is critical.
This exhibit is more than a showcase—it’s an invitation to be part of a movement that embraces the power of storytelling to transform systems and communities.
For more information on hosting the exhibit or to explore other opportunities, contact Julie Vang, Program Manager at julie@greencardvoices.org.
Let’s amplify immigrant voices and build a more inclusive Minnesota together.
This program is proudly supported by the Education Minnesota Foundation for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.
Thank you for visiting the Minnesota Humanities Center blog.
Any views or opinions represented in this blog are personal and belong solely to the blog author and do not represent those of the Humanities Center, its staff, or any partner or affiliated organization, unless explicitly stated.
All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. Omissions, errors or mistakes are entirely unintentional.
The Humanities Center reserves the right to change, update or remove content on this blog at any time
By: Julie Vang
Julie Vang is a Program Manager at Green Card Voices.