The Ohio Immigrant Alliance will present a performance and book celebration called “Ohio Is My Second Country” at the Columbus Arts Festival on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 3 p.m. The free event will take place on the Cultural Arts Center Stage at 139 W. Main Street in Columbus, and marks OIA’s fourth consecutive year on the festival’s “Word Is Art” stage.

The program will feature Mauritanian-American pop artist Salif Sarr, a Columbus resident whose music draws on Fulani cultural heritage and is available on major streaming platforms. Also presenting is Demba Ndiath, OIA’s Advocacy Director, who will share his forthcoming book, “From Welcome To Deportation: A Story of West African Migrants Who Crossed the U.S./Mexico Border,” documenting experiences of West African immigrants arriving via the southern U.S. border.

Cincinnati-area high school student and artist Shema Asifiwe will unveil a coloring book also titled “Ohio Is My Second Country,” illustrating immigrant communities across Ohio and incorporating words from the native languages of Ohio residents’ families. OIA recommends attendees arrive by 2 p.m. given the size of the annual festival. The Columbus Arts Festival takes place June 12–14, 2026 along the downtown riverfront.

Source: Ohio Immigrant Alliance