Attracting diverse cultures and their traditions puts progressive cities at the leading edge of the race to attract young professionals. The selection of Grand Rapids as the gathering place for one growing cultural community’s international reunion spurs diversity efforts by drawing hundreds of youth to the city.
According to excerpts from the story:
More than one thousand people, who are originally from the Greater Bor area of South Sudan, gathered in the last few days in Grand Rapids Michigan for their first festival since resettling to the United States eight years ago.
The festival, known as “awak” in Dinka is a special celebration where people come together and talk, dance, and support each other in words and deeds. The “Awak de Michigan,” as it is now commonly known, brought citizens who culturally belong to the three counties (Bor South, Twic East, and Duk) together with excitement.
Following the opening prayers by the Rev. Riak, Adhiok Youth surfaced on the stage singing songs and ululations.
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