ACC hosted its 13th annual Refugees’ First Thanksgiving

On 22 November, ECDC’s DC Metro branch ACC hosted its 13th annual Refugees’ First Thanksgiving event for around 400 of the agency’s newest arriving refugees from Afghanistan, Ukraine, and elsewhere.

The evening featured six music and dance performances, food served by members of the community, dancing, music, and lots of food from local restaurants and churches who all wished to be a part of an annual tradition to welcome newcomers to the US by celebrating a uniquely American holiday.

“This dinner reflects the very best of who we are as a community—people coming together in the spirit of welcome, generosity, and shared humanity. For many refugee families, this is their first Thanksgiving, and we are honored to stand with them as they begin building new lives here.” — Tsehaye Teferra, PhD, President, ECDC

Sarah Zullo, ECDC Executive Director of the African Community Center, said, “Even though we all come from different backgrounds and countries, we are one big community today, sitting at the same table, eating the same food, listening to music, dancing, and enjoying each other’s company.” The performances included a dance troupe from the Bharatha Mallika School of Dance, the DC Music Academy’s Ukrainian Dance School, Afghan musician Ahmad Ghulam, and Sudanese violinist Samira Hussein.

Arlington County Board Chairman Takis Karantonis, in his welcoming remarks, recognized ECDC’s 42 years of service supporting refugees and immigrants as they rebuild their lives and contribute to their new communities. He expressed appreciation for the resilience, talent, and economic and social contributions of newcomers, and reaffirmed the importance of the United States providing protection and support to those fleeing unimaginable suffering, violence, and hardship.

In attendance were ECDC’s partners in local government, volunteers, other community supporters, as well as dozens of Afghans and Ukrainian families who arrived in the US during 2025 and have just begun their journey to build a new life in a new country. “When we see one our refugee families succeed, we celebrate their success as our success. That, and events like today, make this work all worth it. It gives us the satisfaction of seeing our work make a difference in the lives of people,” Zullo said.