In 1990, Wilmot Collins decided it was time to flee ongoing violence in Liberia. On his journey to safety, he avoided being killed by rebels and went days without food. He initially found refuge in Ghana and the Ivory Coast, enduring years of separation from his wife and child until reuniting with them in Montana where the Helena community welcomed him with open arms and supported him as he rebuilt his life. From teaching to serving in the U.S. army, Wilmot dedicated his career to public service, culminating in his election as the first Black and first refugee mayor in Montana's state history. In this episode, we hear from Wilmot Collins, former Mayor of Helena, Montana, about his experience fleeing civil war in Liberia and his journey to reunite with his family in the United States. Timed Takeaways: [04:21] In search of refuge: Wilmot's precarious journey fleeing Liberia [18:12] A family an ocean apart: how Wilmot and Maddie endured the toll of family separation [24:46] Arriving in the U.S. and finding belonging in Montana [34:20] Public leadership through storytelling and community engagement [48:22] Roundup: Displacement in the news this week Mentioned in This Episode: <a href="https://www.refugeeadvocacylab.org/resources/two-thirds-of-voters-back-the-us-refugee-program"> Two-Thirds of Voters Back the U.S. Refugee Program, Majorities Oppose Current U.S. Immigration Enforcement Policies</a> - Refugee Advocacy Lab <a href="https://www.aila.org/library/practice-alert-dhs-interim-final-rule-shortens-noit-response-period-for-refugees-to-10-days"> DHS Interim Final Rule Shortens NOIT Response Period for Refugees to 10 Days</a> - AILA <a href="https://humanrightscommission.house.gov/events/hearings/one-year-after-fall-el-fasher-how-transnational-networks-finance-crimes-sudan"> One Year After the Fall of El-Fasher: How Transnational Networks Finance Crimes in Sudan</a> - Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission <a href="https://www.refugeesinternational.org/statements-and-news/just-back-from-sudan-refugees-international-team-documents-rsf-atrocities-deaths-following-u-s-aid-cuts-and-worsening-hunger-crisis/"> Just Back from Sudan: Refugees International Team Documents RSF Atrocities, Deaths Following U.S. Aid Cuts, and Worsening Hunger Crisis</a> - Refugees International <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/oct/26/uae-sudan-lana-nusseibeh-un-secretary-general"> The UAE has so much blood on its hands in Sudan. For its nominee to lead the UN would be an outrage</a> - The Guardian <a href="https://support.refugeesinternational.org/a/sign-petition-no-sponsor-genocide-nba-must-end-partnership-emirates"> Tell the NBA to End its Partnership with the Emirates, No Partner with Genocide</a> - Refugees International <a href="https://support.refugeesinternational.org/a/take-action-no-weapons-sales-uae-until-they-end-sup

Wilmot's Story: How a Refugee from Liberia Became Montana's First Black Mayor

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