From The Reno Gazette-Journal’s “Ten to Watch in 2017”
Carina Black Creates a Haven for Refugees
Dr. Carina Black
SIOBHAN MCANDREW
Dec. 27, 2016 A-1
[email protected]
Carina Black is executive director of the International Center of Northern Nevada.
Why we’re watching: Carina Black has led Reno in becoming a refugee resettlement site. Under the leadership of Black, 51 refugees, most of them children, have resettled to Northern Nevada in 2016 and about 25 to 50 more are expected early in 2017. Researching resettlement projects, she found there was a need for more organizations nationwide and that the time was right for Northern Nevada as it rebounded from an economic downturn. Black said the community, including local churches, have been overwhelmingly supportive in helping families settle in to Northern Nevada. Of the 10 families currently resettled in Northern Nevada, all have at least one family member who is working or has been offered a job.
Words to live by: The words I live by are by Argentine Facundo Cabral in my signature in Spanish. Here’s a translation: There’s only one religion, that of love, There’s only one language, that of the heart, There’s only one race, humanity, There’s only one God, and she is everywhere.
Goals for 2017: In 2017, I seek to strengthen NNIC’s leadership and infrastructure capacity by developing our staff and volunteer structure. While 2016 offered many exciting changes in terms of NNIC’s programs, 2017 will bring even more interesting challenges to the world of citizen diplomacy and refugee resettlement. On a local level, I hope to engage many more local citizens with our programs, broadening their horizons to the many difficult realities that people around the world face.
I hope to collaborate with an increasing number of community organizations, businesses, faith communities and volunteers to create a strong network of globally minded people in our amazing community.
Another major goal is to try to be the best mother to my family and children. For women especially, balancing professional and home lives can be difficult. I hope to keep my enthusiasm and passion for work in check so that I can provide the needed support for my children.
- Dr. Carina Black is the Executive Director of the Northern Nevada International Center and serves on the Board and as the Operations Director for the National Security Forum