Starting over: Stories of resilience, opportunity & belonging in San Diego
Join us for a special Spirit of the Barrio luncheon exploring the journeys, resilience and contributions of refugee and immigrant communities building new lives in San Diego.
Through personal stories and community perspectives, our panel will explore the challenges and opportunities that come with starting over — from navigating health care and language barriers to accessing education, legal resources and community support.
Together, we’ll examine how culturally responsive services and strong community connections can help individuals and families find stability, opportunity and a true sense of belonging in San Diego.
Date
Friday, October 16, 2026
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Time
11:15 a.m.
Registration opens
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Tamale luncheon, networking & music
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Moderated panel discussion, raffle & auction
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Location
1865 National Avenue, San Diego CA 92113
Free onsite parking
Panelists
Sharon Kennedy
Executive Director, International Rescue Committee, San Diego
View bio
Sharon Kennedy is executive director of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in San Diego, where she supports programs and services for refugees, asylum seekers and immigrant communities. She began her career with the IRC in 1996 as an employment specialist and has held several leadership positions in development and external relations, including roles at the organization’s San Diego office and national headquarters.
Before joining the IRC, Kennedy served as an assistant resident dean at UC San Diego and a Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand. She earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from UC San Diego and a master’s degree in international and intercultural management from the School for International Training.
Tom K. Wong, Ph.D.
Founding Director, U.S. Immigration Policy Center, UC San Diego
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Tom K. Wong is an associate professor of political science and founding director of the U.S. Immigration Policy Center (USIPC) at UC San Diego. His research focuses on immigration policy, citizenship, race, ethnicity and the politics of identity. He is also co-director of the Human Rights and Migration program and author of two books examining immigration policies and the politics of immigration in the United States and other Western democracies.
Wong previously served as an adviser to the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders under the Obama administration, where he co-led the immigration portfolio. He was also appointed to California’s 2020 Census Complete Count Committee by Gov. Jerry Brown. Wong received the American Civil Liberties Union’s Presidential Prize for his contributions to civil rights and civil liberties.
Harris Niazi, M.D.
Assistant Medical Director of Adult Medicine and Urgent Care, FHCSD
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Dr. Harris Niazi is a board-certified family medicine doctor and assistant medical director of adult medicine and Urgent Care at Family Health Centers of San Diego. An Afghan refugee whose family fled the Soviet-Afghan War, Dr. Niazi arrived in the United States at age 1 and grew up in New York City. His family’s experiences navigating language barriers and fragmented care shaped his commitment to making health care more accessible and responsive to patients’ needs.
Dr. Niazi earned his medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine and completed his family medicine residency at FHCSD. He later helped launch FHCSD’s first urgent care clinic and has worked to connect newly arrived Afghan refugees and other underserved patients with timely, ongoing care. Fluent in Farsi, Dr. Niazi is committed to ensuring patients feel heard, understood and treated with dignity.
Moderator
Deanna Mackey
General Manager, KPBS
View bio
Deanna Martin Mackey is general manager of KPBS and has more than 30 years of experience in nonprofit management and executive leadership in media. She previously spent 25 years at KPBS, including six years as chief operating officer, and co-founded Public Media Women in Leadership.
Mackey is also committed to public service, serving as board chair of Parks California and as a mentor with the Chicano Federation’s Leadership Training Institute. She earned her bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University, where she double majored in journalism and political science.
Contact us
Call (619) 798-3611 or email our team for more information or to become a SOTB sponsor.
Sponsors
Many thanks to our sponsor, EDCO, for providing recycle and compost bins at our Spirit of the Barrio luncheons to collectively help make these events truly sustainable.
History of Spirit of the Barrio
Since 1986, Family Health Centers of San Diego’s Spirit of the Barrio luncheons have raised awareness of our mission to provide high-quality health care to underserved communities across San Diego. Each luncheon explores a timely topic while guests enjoy our legendary tamales.
Through a diverse lineup of guest speakers and subjects, Spirit of the Barrio informs, educates and entertains hundreds of attendees. Over the years, we have welcomed prominent community leaders, local personalities and entertainers, from former San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders to Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Jason Mraz.
Past speakers have also included leaders from local professional sports organizations, including former San Diego Chargers head coaches and players, a former San Diego Padres CEO, the Padres radio announcer and representatives from the San Diego State University Aztec Athletics Department. We have even hosted the associate director of the U.S. Olympic Training Center.
Entertainers, authors and community leaders have also taken the stage. From motivational speakers and playwrights to comedians and actors, Spirit of the Barrio has offered a wide range of entertainment for an audience of friends, peers, sponsors and community leaders.
One of the best-attended Spirit of the Barrio luncheons featured a panel discussion about homelessness and affordable housing in San Diego. Panelists included Toni Atkins, former speaker of the California State Assembly, Rick Gentry of the San Diego Housing Commission, Bob McElroy of Alpha Project and Deacon Jim Vargas of Father Joe’s Villages. 10News’ Kimberly Hunt emceed the discussion.
Spirit of the Barrio luncheons are a celebrated part of FHCSD’s history and are held on the top floor of the parking garage at Barrio Logan Integrative Medicine Clinic, located at 1865 National Avenue. The luncheons are open to the public and feature regionally unique raffle and silent auction prizes.
We hope to see you at an upcoming Spirit of the Barrio luncheon.
