VOICES THROUGH ART
Conclusions & Takeaways
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The event was emotionally resonant and well-received, with attendees reporting inspiration, hope, and gratitude.
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Participants reflected a broad range of cultural identities (18 countries named), with many identifying with more than one.
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Migration stories added depth and meaning, underscoring the event’s relevance.
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Empowerment appeared less frequently than other emotions, suggesting room to further elevate participant agency.
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The environment was emotionally safe and inclusive, though language barriers were noted.
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Survey data suggests strong potential for repeat participation and word-of-mouth growth.
Emotional & Experiential Impact on Artists
Survey responses from five participating artists showed a similarly positive experience. All reported feeling respected by attendees, and all agreed or strongly agreed they felt empowered by the experience.
Most common emotions selected by artists were Inspired, Grateful, and Connected.
Two artists reported barriers to full participation—one cited a language barrier, another mentioned constraints of the political context. Despite this, the overall tone reflected appreciation, belonging, and pride.
Participant Reflections & Engagement Potential
Although the survey did not explicitly ask if attendees would participate again, the strong emotional feedback suggests high likelihood of return.
Many participants expressed gratitude, and one artist specifically requested more inclusion of city officials and non-immigrants in future events.
Impact Summary
The emotional and intellectual impact of Voices Through Art was significant. Post-event survey responses show:
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100% of attendees reported being emotionally moved by the event.
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21 of 22 respondents said the event had a significant, moderate, or life-changing impact on them.
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100% indicated they are likely to take action to support refugees and immigrants following the event.
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21 participants reported gaining new understanding of refugee and immigrant experiences.
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A question about whether the event “challenged” attendees’ views received inconclusive responses due to unclear wording.
Emotional Impact on Attendees
Attendees could select up to three emotions to describe their experience. The most common emotions were:
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Inspired (20 mentions)
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Hopeful (17)
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Grateful (15)
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Curious (13) – indicating engagement and desire to learn more.
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Empowered (6)
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Angry (3)
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Disappointed (2) – suggesting moments of discomfort or unmet expectations.
Overall, the emotional responses suggest the event was powerful and engaging, creating a welcoming space for connection, learning, and growth.
Audience Demographics & Cultural Identity
The audience was demographically and culturally diverse. Fourteen respondents were under 45 years old, and ten were 45 or older; approximately half were men and half were women.
Participants identified with 18 countries in total, with the most frequent one mentioned being the United States (11 mentions). Several individuals also named Afghanistan, Iran, Mexico, and England among others. Seven participants selected more than one country, illustrating complex and multi-layered identities that span cultural, national, and generational lines.
Migration Experiences Reported:
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9 individuals were born in the U.S., though 11 identified the U.S. as part of their background.
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5 immigrated for work, education, or family.
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5 identified as second or third generation immigrants.
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2 are Special Immigrant Visa Holders (SIVs).
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1 individual identified as undocumented.
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This diversity speaks to the richness of lived experiences in the room and reinforces the importance of intentional, inclusive storytelling that reflects the multifaceted realities of refugee and immigrant communities.
Our Impact
Explore the Event
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Ekram
Sylvia
Bweza
Beatriz Ponce de León’s journey begins in Chicago, where shewas born and raised as the eldest daughter of immigrants from Michoacán, México. Growing up in a working-class neighborhood, she witnessed her parents’ deep sense of community—connecting family and neighbors to vital resources. This spirit of service deeply shaped her world view. Motivated by her upbringing, Beatriz committed her life to uplifting others and ensuring marginalized communities have access to opportunity and dignity. Now, as Chicago’s first Deputy Mayor for Immigrant, Migrant, and Refugee Rights, she continues the legacy of care, connection, and justice that first inspired her.
Beatriz
Ekram Hanna is a bold, resilient, and compassionate community leader,
entrepreneur, and refugee advocate. She arrived in the U.S. from Iraq end of 2012, knowing this transition would be challenging but with a deep determination to rebuild her life. After starting with ESL classes and a
survival job, she began nonprofit work in 2017, using her story to empower others. In 2018, she was selected for the Refugee Mental Health Literacy and Leadership Scholarship and committed herself to
breaking the stigma around mental health. In 2019, she became the owner of the same small business she once worked at, creating jobs for refugee women. She later founded the AMAL Project to bring hope through education, mental health, and humanitarian aid in the MENA region. In 2025, she was honored with a Community Leadership Award for her impact.
As an electronic music artist, Sylvia Dziemian works under the aliases M. Sylvia and Separate Species. Her work appears on music labels from Germany, Portugal, Australia, and the United States. Sylvia held residencies at prominent Chicago dance music venues, including Sound-Bar and Primary. At the Chicago Department of Public Health, Sylvia works as the Director of Public Health Operations in the Bureau of Syndemic Infectious Diseases, where she focuses on conditions such as HIV, mpox, tuberculosis, and viral hepatitis in the context of social determinants of health. A Polish-born transplant to Chicago who moved to the United States at ten years old, Sylvia completed her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with a minor in Philosophy and Master of Business Administration at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is a Civic Leadership Academy 2025 Fellow at University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy Center for Effective Government.
Risheh INSTITUTE
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