Oct. 5, 2026 ~ For immigrant and newcomer families, education can be one of the first connections to a new community. Schools can help young people build confidence, help families understand unfamiliar systems, and create opportunities that reach across generations. At The Skillman Foundation, we believe students and families bring valuable knowledge, languages, cultures, and experiences to public education. Schools are stronger when those strengths are recognized and families are welcomed as partners. In this episode of Our State of Education, we are joined by Dr. Seydi Sarr, Ines De Jesus, and Dr. Omar Hakim, three Detroit leaders whose experiences as newcomers, educators, advocates, and community members shape how they support young people and families today. Together, they share personal stories of immigration and migration, explore the role education played in their lives, and discuss what schools and communities can do to help immigrant and newcomer students feel supported, heard, and able to thrive.