BUILDING BRIDGES FOR SKILLED IMMIGRANTS TO THRIVE (Winter 2025). The African Bridge Network (ABN) envisions a world where skilled immigrant professionals in the United States can support their families, build successful careers and make meaningful contributions—without starting over.

Massachusetts has 240,000 residents who have a college degree from another country, according to census data. About half of this population has only bachelor’s degrees and faces the most barriers as they seek to rebuild their careers in the Commonwealth. Many of them are either underemployed or unemployed, with their expertise remaining untapped—part of a national crisis affecting 2.3 million people.

ABN was created to change that. Led by those who’ve walked this path themselves, ABN has spent the last decade creating pathways for skilled immigrants to thrive—offering career development, networking and employer partnerships that unlock opportunities once out of reach. The impact has been undeniable, with hundreds of skilled immigrants passing through ABN’s doors and into meaningful careers. As part of its Bold Vision Plan, ABN is expanding its reach, becoming a bridge program for other immigrant-serving organizations and strengthening its role in creating a more inclusive workforce.

Monia, a skilled professional from Haiti, is one of the many individuals whose lives has been impacted by ABN. Political instability derailed her career, forcing her to leave behind not just her home but also the professional life she had built. She had a degree and years of experience in public administration and nonprofits, but none of it seemed to count in the U.S. Imagine applying for jobs and realizing your college doesn’t even appear in the drop-down menu, as if your education never existed.

As a fellow in the ABN’s Immigrant Professionals Fellowship, Monia gained the tools, guidance and confidence to navigate a new professional landscape. Today, she’s thriving in her role in Research Operations and Sponsored Programs Administration at Boston Medical Center. Her success is just one example of the countless skilled immigrants who are ready to contribute—if only given the chance.

In 2024, ABN played a crucial role in the passage of the Massachusetts Physician Pathway Act (PPA) through advocacy, coalition-building and community engagement. The PPA is a groundbreaking law that allows internationally trained physicians (ITPs) to obtain full licensure by practicing in underserved communities for three years, eliminating the traditional residency requirement. ABN worked with MIRA and policymakers, provided testimony and mobilized support to highlight the barriers ITPs face. ABN will continue to actively support its implementation by educating both ITPs and employers. This law not only provides skilled immigrant physicians with an opportunity for gainful employment, but it also helps alleviate physician shortages thereby improving healthcare access for underserved communities.

In the image, ABN Fellows celebrate completing the Immigrant Professionals Fellowship with a representative from Boston Medical Center.

Clowes Fund Field(s) of Interest: Workforce Development

Grantees