One Table, Endless Connections: Celebrating Community at ENB's 7th Annual Language of Food

https://youtu.be/_3dBF4A42aU?si=i9IV0HEONLofjCaT

On June 4, English for New Bostonians (ENB) welcomed supporters, community leaders,

advocates, and friends to the Exchange Conference Center in Seaport for our 7th Annual

Language of Food. This year's theme, One Table, Endless Connections, beautifully captured

what the evening was all about: bringing people together through food, culture, and

conversation while celebrating the resilience and contributions of immigrant communities across Massachusetts.

From the moment guests arrived, the room was filled with energy. New connections and

memories were formed over delicious cuisine prepared by East Meets West Catering, longtime supporters reunited with friends, and first-time attendees experienced the welcoming warmth and inclusivity that define the ENB community. Throughout the evening, one message remained clear: when we invest in immigrant learners, we strengthen our workplaces, our communities, and our city.

The evening's program offered a powerful reminder that language is about much more than

communication, language serves as a pathway to opportunity, a source of confidence, a foundation for belonging, and a bridge that strengthens communities.

During our event guests heard from Rob Wong, Chef de Cuisine at Cushman Concepts and an ENB

Workplace ESOL business partner, who shared why

investing in English language education benefits both employees and employers. “We often think about the restaurants we love … What many people may not realize is just how much of that experience is shaped by immigrants … immigrant workers are integral in Boston’s hospitality industry. According to the American Immigration Council, immigrants make up 22 percent of all workers in the industry. More than 1 in 5 employees. That means that every

time you dine out, your experience is being

influenced by immigrant workers, from the host/hostess greeting you at the door, to the server taking care of your table, to the chefs meticulously preparing your meal, the managers throughout the dining room, and those working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep everything moving. These individuals are not just filling jobs. They are helping define Boston’s food culture and restaurant industry."

Drawing on his own experiences working alongside immigrant colleagues, Rob spoke about the importance of creating workplaces where employees feel supported, empowered, and equipped to grow professionally.

“I’ve witnessed firsthand how increased confidence in English and communication skills has opened doors for advancement and growth - it has allowed some of our kitchen staff to transition to more guest-facing roles and eventually into shift leads or management positions. Those opportunities might not have seemed possible before.” - Rob Wong

His remarks reinforced the value of partnerships between ENB and local employers committed to fostering inclusive, thriving workplaces and highlighted the significant difference support from employers can make in the professional development of their diverse body of employees.

The audience was then inspired by Tom Browne, an

ENB volunteer through Allies for Immigrants. Tom

reflected on his experience volunteering with adult

English learners and the meaningful encounters he

has experienced along the way. His story served as a

reminder that sometimes the greatest impact begins

with simply showing up, listening, and sharing your

time. Through his volunteer work, Tom has

witnessed firsthand the determination, resilience, and aspirations of immigrant learners working to build new lives in Massachusetts.

If you take just one thing from what I’m saying tonight … It's to take that first step! If it's a mock interview, if it's donating just a little bit more… that makes a huge difference. As you saw earlier the ENB team is small but mighty; just consider how much more they could do with more volunteers like us, and more people to donate a little bit. Support! - Tom Browne

One of the evening's most moving moments came

from Noemy Balla, a graduate of ENB's

Workplace ESOL program. Noemy shared her

personal journey of learning English while

balancing work and everyday life, offering a

heartfelt reflection on how language learning has

opened doors professionally and personally

allowing her to grow into a Human Resources

management position at her current employer. Her story illustrated the lasting impact that accessible, high-quality ESOL instruction can have not only for individual learners but also for the families, workplaces, and communities they strengthen every day. Noemy reminded us through her own story just how empowering support can be in fostering transformation in our own careers and lives.

“Thanks to English for New Bostonians, I am confident speaking English in these interactions without being shy. To all the companies here today, I am hoping my experience with English for New Bostonians will encourage you to give your employees the opportunity Stop and Compare has given me. In these times of hardships faced by many like me, all support is needed.” - Noemy Balla

The highlight of our event was an engaging panel discussion moderated by the event emcee, 7NEWS anchor Amaka Ubaka. The conversation featured three inspiring leaders whose personal and professional journeys demonstrate the powerful intersection of food,

entrepreneurship, and immigration: Biplaw Rai, restaurateur and CEO of Comfort Kitchen; Tran Ngoc Lee, founder of Viet Citron; and Jonny Zackman, Director of Strategy and Operations at PAGU. Each panelist shared how food, culture, and community have shaped their identity, connected them to their communities, and served as a catalyst for opportunity and belonging. Together, they explored the challenges and triumphs of building businesses, creating welcoming workplaces, and fostering internal and external cultural understanding through hospitality and business.

Each speaker and special guest reminded us that for immigrant adults learning English, gaining language skills opens doors to employment, civic engagement, education, and stronger relationships with neighbors and colleagues. Just as food has the unique ability to bring people together across cultures, English language learning creates opportunities for individuals to fully participate in the communities they call home.

Guests embraced every opportunity to

celebrate throughout the night. From testing their knowledge during our crowd-

favorite trivia game, to bidding on exciting silent auction experiences, supporters came together with generosity and enthusiasm. As the program concluded, the celebration continued with music from DJ Mystique and lively salsa, bachata, and merengue

instruction led by Tina Cavicchio of Next Level Fusion Dance, filling the dance floor with laughter, movement, and joy. These moments of celebration reflected the spirit of the evening: honoring the many cultures that enrich our region while creating space for meaningful human connection.

Events like Language of Food are only possible because of an incredible community of

supporters. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors, donors, volunteers, vendors,

panelists, speakers, and every guest who chose to spend the evening with us. Your generosity directly supports English for New Bostonians' mission to expand access to high-quality English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs for immigrant adults throughout Boston. Every ticket purchased, auction bid placed, sponsorship secured, and donation made helps create opportunities for learners to achieve economic mobility, support their families, and build brighter futures.

As we reflect on this unforgettable evening, we are reminded that our work is rooted in connection. Around a singular table, people from different backgrounds gathered to share

stories, celebrate culture, and invest in a more welcoming Commonwealth. Those conversations and the relationships they sparked will continue long after the last plate was cleared and the music faded.

Thank you for being part of this year's Language of Food. Together, we are building stronger

communities where every immigrant has the opportunity to learn English, thrive, and belong.

We look forward to welcoming you to our next event!

Our sincere appreciation to this year's Appetizer Sponsors: Santander Bank, N.A., Eastern Bank, M&T Bank, and Treffler Foundation; and Hors D'Oeuvres Sponsors: UG2, Archstone Law Group P.C., eCratchit Nonprofit, Bob Hildreth, and TEKsystems.