Archive for September, 2008

metroAfrican on KGNU's African Roots

Daniel and Isabel from metroAfrican had a great time talking with Moutiou on KGNU’s African Roots this past Saturday. They talked about Daniel’s work with Kenya Kids Ministries (www.kenyakidsministries.org) this past summer, as well as what they hope to accomplish with metroAfrican.com. They also discussed culture shock, Obamania, and other phenomena. If you missed them [...]

metroAfrican on KGNU

Daniel and Isabel from metroAfrican will be interviewed on KGNU’s African Roots show today around 4:30pm. Be sure to tune in to 1390 AM in Denver, 88.5 FM in Boulder, and 93.7 in Nederland to hear metroAfrican talk to host Moutiou Yessoufou about Denver’s African communities. Or check it out online at KGNU.org.

Obama's rise gratifies Africans in the U.S.

The following article from USA Today features interviews with several Kenyan Denverites (Kenverites?) including metroAfrican’s Isabella Muturi Sauve:

Obama’s rise gratifies Africans in the U.S.

By Rick Hampson, USA TODAY

DENVER — The nomination of a Kenyan’s son as the Democratic presidential candidate has Africans from here to Nairobi inspired, excited and hopeful — maybe, in some cases, too hopeful.

Kenyans living in the U.S. say they have to remind some people back home that it isn’t like Kenya, that Barack Obama’s election wouldn’t mean that everyone in his tribe or extended family can move to Washington.

Nancy Youree, shown here with son Joseph, came to the United States 10 years ago this week. As an African, you feel you get a late start here, she says. But (Obamas) dad came here as a student, like us.
Nancy Youree, shown here with son Joseph, came to the United States 10 years ago this week. “As an African, you feel you get a late start here,” she says. “But (Obama’s) dad came here as a student, like us.”

“It’s that Kenyan mind-set — you help your relatives, all your relatives,” says Nancy Youree of Castle Rock, Colo., who’s still hoping to get a ticket to Obama’s acceptance speech today. “But I keep telling people that Barack will inspire people, as opposed to giving them a handout.”

Obama’s father grew up in a village in western Kenya. After coming to the U.S. to study economics, he met and married the white Kansas woman who became Obama’s mother. They later divorced, and Obama’s father returned to Kenya.

Africans living here generally agree that Obama’s nomination is as surprising as it is gratifying.

“This is something that we never dreamed could happen in our lifetimes,” says John Kimani of Lakewood, Wash., who came to the U.S. in 1976, married and raised five children.

Obama’s rise is so sudden some Kenyan Americans fear it can’t last.

Welcome to metroAfrican!

metroAfrican is an online journal covering the Metro Denver area’s African Communities. It will highlight events, venues, organizations and businesses important to Africans in Denver, and will profile notable individuals making a difference in the community. We’re just getting started and want to start a conversation among Africans in Denver. If you have ideas on [...]