On July 20, 2025, the Kurdistani Diaspora Center of Nashville held a certificate ceremony to celebrate the graduation of the students of its first Kurdish language class. This program is specifically designed for children of Kurdish families in the diaspora, with all classes and materials provided at no cost by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Minister of Education.

Ipek Ismael, the Vice President of the Kurdistani Diaspora Center, shared insights with Kurdistan Chronicle about the program. “This program is designed for children ages 6 to 12 and students will receive a Kurdish diploma upon completing all school years. We’ve been working on this program in Nashville for years now and are focused on improving it. Our goal is to launch in-person classes this year, if possible,” she noted.

The KRG Ministry of Education provided teachers – who delivered lessons to students via Zoom – and e-books for each class. At the ceremony, the ministry shared a congratulatory message for all the students via video.

Ismael highlighted the program’s success, revealing that over 50 students completed the first class. “We’re proud of the progress being made,” she added. The classes are conducted in the two main Kurdish dialects, Kurmanji and Sorani, with efforts underway to incorporate additional dialects into the curriculum.

Nashville, Tennessee is affectionately referred to as “Little Kurdistan” and boasts a vibrant Kurdish community with a rich history. Kurdish immigrants began arriving in the late 1970s and early 1980s, fleeing political persecution and conflict in their homeland. Today, Nashville is home to one of the largest Kurdish populations in the United States, estimated at around 20,000 residents. This growth has allowed Kurdish culture to flourish, enriching Nashville’s diverse landscape with a variety of restaurants, markets, and cultural centers that contribute to the city’s unique cultural tapestry.