Refuge Coffee celebrates World Refugee Day in Clarkston
CLARKSTON, Ga. — Refuge Coffee Co. hosted its annual World Refugee Day celebration on June 20, bringing together approximately 450 attendees for a day of performances, vendors and community gathering.
The event featured 37 vendors and service providers, and six performances representing different cultures. Community organizations, including the Refugee Women's Network, Clarkston Cares, the Islamic Circle of North America, the Coalition of Refugee Service Agencies, and New American Pathways, participated in the event.
Representatives of the Coalition of Refugee Service Agencies (CRSA) share information about the organization during Refuge Coffee Co.'s World Refugee Day celebration on Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Clarkston.
Attendees listen as Idriss Gibson Mansaray, a refugee from Sierra Leone, speaks during Refuge Coffee Co.'s World Refugee Day celebration June 20 in Clarkston. During his remarks, Mansaray said that "the refugee is filled with pain but also possibility."
Nahan, left, and Sadaba pose during Refuge Coffee Co.'s World Refugee Day celebration June 20 in Clarkston.
Masood Afzali sings and plays guitar during Refuge Coffee Co.'s World Refugee Day celebration June 20 in Clarkston. Afzali, an Afghan refugee, has lived in the United States for eight years.
A father and son stand in the background as a soccer ball marked "ATL Harmony" and "FIFA 2026" rests in the foreground during Refuge Coffee Co.'s World Refugee Day celebration on June 20 in Clarkston. Members of Atlanta Korean Harmony Nanta distributed the balls to children in recognition of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Members of Atlanta Korean Harmony Nanta perform a Korean percussion routine during Refuge Coffee Co.'s World Refugee Day celebration June 20 in Clarkston.
A member of Atlanta Korean Harmony Nanta smiles while interacting with a child during Refuge Coffee Co.'s World Refugee Day celebration June 20 in Clarkston.
Langston Jenkins attends Refuge Coffee Co.'s World Refugee Day celebration June 20 in Clarkston. Jenkins previously worked with refugee resettlement organizations New American Pathways and the International Rescue Committee.
Clarkston Mayor Beverly H. Burks addresses attendees during Refuge Coffee Co.'s World Refugee Day celebration June 20 in Clarkston. During her remarks, Burks encouraged attendees to "learn something new" and "talk to someone you haven't talked to" as a way of strengthening community connections.
A handwritten letter addressed to U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff sits on display during Refuge Coffee Co.'s World Refugee Day celebration June 20 in Clarkston. The letter-writing campaign, organized by New American Pathways, encouraged attendees to contact elected officials in support of refugees.
Khadijah Kabiri sells handbags at her vendor booth during Refuge Coffee Co.'s World Refugee Day celebration June 20 in Clarkston.
Clarkston City Council member Sharifa Adde addresses attendees during Refuge Coffee Co.'s World Refugee Day celebration June 20 in Clarkston. Adde is the first Muslim woman elected to the Clarkston City Council.
A Refuge Coffee Co. employee hands coffee to an attendee from the organization's mobile coffee truck during Refuge Coffee Co.'s World Refugee Day celebration June 20 in Clarkston.
Shukria Shahryar, left, poses with her child, Hunain, and Cameron Farr during Refuge Coffee Co.'s World Refugee Day celebration June 20 in Clarkston.
Eliza Khioukhom rehearses on a traditional percussion instrument before a performance during Refuge Coffee Co.'s World Refugee Day celebration June 20 in Clarkston.
Enlarged portraits of Refuge Coffee Co. employees hang on a wall as attendees gather inside the coffee shop during Refuge Coffee Co.'s World Refugee Day celebration June 20 in Clarkston.