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African Refugee Thrives in Convenience Store Role Refugee From Africa Flourishes in Syracuse Convenience Store

By Geraldo Reid

Hassan Ramazani and family members.
© 2023 Hassan Ramazani

Geraldo Reid: Even on the coldest days in Syracuse, customers get a warm welcome at the Fayette Supermarket Incorporation.

Hassan Ramazani: What’s up Migo?

Geraldo Reid: Twenty-three-year-old Hassan Ramazani has been working here for the last eight years and even started the job on his birthday. He tells the story of one man in his life who made it all possible named Mike and what he saw in a young Hassan.

Hassan Ramazani: Uncle Mike was like yeah, I’m going to give you this opportunity. He was like I see that you’re different from every kid you really want to work. You come and ask for jobs – I see you different. So, he was like when can you start? And I told him I can start right now April 21st, 2016. That’s when I first started working here.

Geraldo Reid: But his life didn’t start here in America. He moved to the United States with his family at the age of three from Kenya for the opportunity of a better life. He says he wasn’t too thrilled with the journey from Africa to North America and shared his mother’s experience as a refugee.

Hassan Ramazan: The only thing I remember is me being on the plane telling my mom I want to go home; My mom would talk about it, and she said it was rough like people couldn’t eat it was crowded.

Geraldo Reid: The request to his mother to go back home wouldn’t have gone down well with a young Hassan when it was rejected, but Twenty-years later, his customers will be happy of the outcome.

Hassan Ramazan: Have a good day.

Geraldo Reid: Geraldo Reid, N-C-C News.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – At the age of 16, Hassan Ramazani began working at the Fayette Supermarket and has never looked back since. He grew up in a tough environment influenced by gangs and violence, becoming a part of his personality, especially with the group of friends he had.

However, Ramazani knew that the road he was heading wasn’t conducive to his future.

Ramazani moved to the United States from Kenya at three years old. He had little to no recollection of his formative years but was always told stories by his mother about the process and conditions upon moving to Syracuse.

In the environment he was raised, he was always exposed to the negative side of his society. In wanting to turn his life around, he walked into the Fayette Supermarket on 21 April 2016, on his birthday, and spoke to a man named Mike for a job opportunity.

Without hesitation, Mike allowed him the opportunity to work in the store. Ramazani said that Mike noticed something that stood out about him compared to the other kids in the neighborhood.

“Uncle Mike was like yeah, I’m going to give you this opportunity”, said Ramazani. “He was like I see that you’re different from every kid you really want to work. You come and ask for jobs – I see you different. So, he was like when can you start? And I told him I can start right now. That’s when I first started working here.”

One of the earliest memories he had wasn’t an exciting one. His earliest recollection of his younger years was his desire to go back home to Kenya.

He mentions this experience along with his mother’s version of what it was like to be a refugee.

“The only thing I remember is me being on the plane telling my mom I want to go home,” he said. “My mom would talk about it, and she said it was rough like people couldn’t eat it was crowded.”

Though 2016 for him was monumental in working his first job, it also came with sorrows. He experienced the death of many family members, with the passing of his father, sister, brother, and stepmother.

Through it all, one flight from Africa to North America and a birthday hiring made it possible for Hassan Ramazani to thrive over two decades later.

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