Immigrant Innovators

October 5, 2020
In brief biographies flanked by quotations and facts, Chagollan documents the accomplishments of 30 immigrant entrepreneurs in the U.S.—men and women from 25 countries who have made an impact in the business world. Hamdi Ulukaya, a Kurdish immigrant to the U.S., fled political oppression in Turkey before founding Chobani, now the bestselling Greek yogurt in the country; he also employs refugees and offers staff shares in the company. “Before fame came knocking,” pop star and Fenty Beauty founder Rihanna was “just a little girl from Barbados.” A brief spread profiles children of immigrants, including Ruth Handler, daughter of Polish immigrants and co-inventor of the Barbie doll. Sidebars detail facts such as the definition of the “chork,” a chopstick-fork combination introduced by Panda Express founders Andrew and Peggy Cherng, immigrants from China and Myanmar. Though highly stylized illustrations by Brown, including fanciful skin tones, render many subjects almost unrecognizable, the book is consistent in its message that immigrants are powerful change-makers, “not just in terms of culture and diversity, but also in innovation, job creation, and economic growth.” Ages 8–12.