Refugee First Thanksgiving 2025
On November 21st, 2025 ACC hosted our 20th Annual Refugee First Thanksgiving, bringing together families and friends for a delicious dinner with international cuisine and dancing with music from all over the world. Alongside traditional Thanksgiving dishes, we enjoyed an array of food all from refugee and immigrant chefs from across Colorado. Live music was supplied by Chihera, a Zimbabwean family band.
Attendees of Refugee First Thanksgiving on the dance floor
Refugee First Thanksgiving began with 50 newcomers and a potluck dinner 20 years ago. It was born out of a need to come together and share. Newcomers often have little connection to US holidays and ACC saw hosting a Thanksgiving event as a way to help make connections and put down roots. Quickly the tradition outgrew its original space and the community stepped in. Over the past 20 years, our event has been hosted at Temple Event Center, New Covenant Christian Church, Assumption of the Theotokos Metropolis Cathedral of Denver, Village Exchange Center, and Mango House, and Z New Summit Event Center.
As a tradition that has grown with our community, there are many that have grown with it. Shema started off as a young child attending the event with family in 2006. She returned as an attendee with her own children in attendance 19 years later to pass the tradition on to the next generation.
“Thanks to ACC, my family has been able to make a meaningful difference in the world”
-Shema
Shema at Refugee First Thanksgiving in 2006 and 2025
This year has been especially difficult for refugees and immigrants as refugee resettlement has been de-facto frozen - stopping family reunification and inciting fear. African Community Center is dedicated to helping refugees make a home in Colorado through creating spaces for everyone to come together. As we work against fear-mongering and intolerance, our hearts are warmed by the consistent willingness of our community to step up and step in to help those in need. For example, over 200 bags of hygiene items were provided to refugee families at the event, all prepared and donated to by individuals, corporations, schools and religious organizations.
At this year’s Refugee First Thanksgiving event, we…
had the support of 155 community volunteers
Distributed more than 800 plates of food
distributed more than 200 bags of donated hygiene items to refugee families.
Ron Buzard, Managing Director
Chihera Family Band performance
“I support ACC because this is just an incredible community and there are so many different programs they offer to the community and it’s so important to help keep those thriving”
- Refugee First Thanksgiving volunteer
As we continue to express our gratitude, we thank all that came together to put on a successful event and continue to show up for one another.
Interested in reading more about Refugee First Thanksgiving? Check out the news article linked below!
9News: Refugee First Thanksgiving brings refugees, immigrants and longtime Coloradans together to celebrate
written by Iftu Abdi Communication & Development Specialist