Rafaela Prifti/
Albanian Roots Club at St. Francis College, Brooklyn, is hosting a panel discussion on the critical topics of female empowerment and the inspiring rewards of generosity being held at the facility’s multipurpose room on Thursday at 6 pm. With a two-pronged approach emphasizing “the pivotal importance of empowering women within the Albanian community,” says organizer and President of the Albanian Roots Club at St. Francis College, Megi Rama, “the event sheds light on the daunting challenges faced by victims of sexual crimes during the Kosovo war, while underlining the profound impact of philanthropy in catalyzing positive transformation.”
On the topic of humanitarian causes, the ARC has partnered up with the Montenegrin-Albanian-American model and business executive Emina Cunmulaj to pioneer a special needs sensory room to be installed in the northern Albanian town of Shkodër. Megi Rama calls it “a groundbreaking initiative that strives to enhance learning environments for individuals with special needs, championing inclusivity and empowerment.”
The event organizers are excited about collaborating with Emina Cunmulaj, who has recently started her own non-profit foundation called Emina’s Hand. In November of last year, she became a Goodwill Ambassador for the Pan Albanian Foundation of America Vatra and then co-hosted with Vatra Miami the gala dinner of Independence Day. The Miami-based wife and mother of three is actively engaged in humanitarian causes earning her the name of “a world philantropist.” She will be honored by the Albanian Roots Club at Thursday’s event. A proclamation will also be presented by Vanesa Limani, Staten Island Director, office of New York State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spantos.
Organizers say that they are welcoming community organizations, activists, advocates and protagonists to move forward with “making a meaningful impact in our community” as Megi Rama puts it.
In the past the Albanian Roots Club at St. Francis College has hosted Albanian language classes, embassy visits, and lectures featuring prominent individuals like the first female Albanian judge in the U.S. Edita Shkreli, the Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo, Dr. Blerim Reka, Artist of the Year, Kastro Zizo. The student body began in 2017 with the mision of embracing and sharing the unique Albanian values and traditions, educating people of diverse backgrounds through inclusive events while striving for academic excellence.