Homa Naficy MLS'91 Inducted into the Immigrant Heritage Hall of Fame
Naficy is being inducted this year in honor of her contributions as the founder and executive director of The American Place in the Hartford Public Library.
The National Immigrant Heritage Center is inducting alumna Homa Naficy MLS'91 into the 2025 Immigrant Heritage Hall of Fame. Naficy and the other 2025 inductees will receive their awards at the IHHF Gala on September 25, 2025.
Naficy was selected for this prestigious honor in virtue of her work as the founder and executive director of The American Place, located in the Hartford Public Library in Hartford, Connecticut. The American Place is a program designed for Hartford’s immigrant and refugee community and provides adult education, career support, and immigrant services.
Naficy, the IHHF wrote, is the "visionary creator of The American Place, known for its life-changing support for immigrants learning English, preparing for U.S. citizenship, and building brighter futures in America."
Naficy was selected for this prestigious honor in virtue of her work as the founder and executive director of The American Place, located in the Hartford Public Library in Hartford, Connecticut.
“We are delighted to honor this exceptional group of individuals who exemplify perseverance, commitment to excellence, and remarkable achievement," said Asha Lassen, president of the National Immigrant Heritage Center, in a press release. "The Immigrant Heritage Hall of Fame Induction Gala celebrates our diverse and multicultural nation and the significant contributions that our inductees and those of immigrant heritage make to our state, nation, and the world.”
Describing the four 2025 inductees as "exceptional individuals whose contributions have enriched Connecticut’s legal, education, civic, and cultural landscape . . . and exemplify the spirit of immigrant success and resilience," the IHHF also inducted this year, in addition to Naficy:
- Dr. Ali Antar – Founder and Co-President of the Islamic Association of Greater Hartford, Co-Founder of the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut, and Past President of the Islamic Council of New England.
- Atty. Dana Bucin – Honorary Consul of Romania to Connecticut, Founder of the “Connecticut for Ukraine” initiative, and an award-winning immigration attorney.
- Dr. Demetrios Giannaros – Greek-American leader, Deputy Majority Leader and the first foreign-born Deputy Speaker in the Connecticut General Assembly; Former President of the World Hellenic Interparliamentary Association; and Co-Founder of the National Immigrant Heritage Center.
This is the second award Naficy has received for her work spearheading and directing The American Place. In 2024, The Carnegie Corporation named Naficy a recipient of its Great Immigrants Award for her contributions to American democracy.
This is the second award Naficy has received for her work spearheading and directing The American Place. In 2024, The Carnegie Corporation named Naficy a recipient of its Great Immigrants Award for her contributions to American democracy.
The mission of the NIHC is "to celebrate, preserve, publicize, and promote Immigrant Heritage and Cultural Diversity as defining characteristics of the American Nation, and the contributions of Immigrants and Immigration to the American economy, culture, and civil society."
Learn more about the Master of Information degree, the Library and Information Science department at the Rutgers School of Communication and Information on the website.
In the Media