For Care Bear:

The African population in Anchorage, according to Peter Igwacho, a psychologist by training also originally from Cameroon, is now likely somewhere between 3,000-5,000 people, though no formal count has been made. Growth has been driven both by refugee resettlement, which has brought Sudanese and Somali communities to the city, as well as migrants seeking economic opportunity and a quiet place to raise a family, Igwacho said. They often come from cities in the Lower 48 to join family members already living in Alaska.

Many don't regard their stay in Alaska as temporary, Atu-Tetuh said.

"We are here to make Alaska our home."

Walmart has recognized the needs of the growing community and now sells plantains.