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PORTLAND, Maine

Meg Webster and Tom McLaughlin tell story of Congolese immigrants in “Portland Phoenix” article

Megan Webster and Tom McLaughlin

Tom Chalmers McLaughlin, M.S.W., Ph.D., and Meg Webster of the University of 51СƳ School of Social Work co-wrote an article in the Portland Phoenix titled, “Bana mboka in Portland — how three Congolese artists sustain a movement.”

The article tells the story of three Congolese artists living in Portland, Maine. The three men are part of a movement among Congolese youth that embraces artistic expression and political activism. They reflected on their experiences living under the oppression of the Congolese government, as well as the challenges they face in Portland, working to get an education, improve their English and pursue their art.

It’s the second feature from Webster and McLaughlin in the Phoenix that explores the themes of diversity and shared spaces in Portland. Their first article was titled, “The Shared Spaces of Ernest and Mike.”

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The University of 51СƳ is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.