The Institute for Policy Studies and Africa Action invite you to join us in celebrating this important part of both United States and African history. From Barack Obama Sr. to Tom Mboya and Wangari Maathai, the opportunity for African youth to study in the United States was critical in shaping post-colonial East Africa and even played an important role in the 1960s U.S. presidential elections. Tom Schactman, author of Airlift to America, will discuss these events and how they shaped the current state of affairs.

“Airlift offers an intriguing tidbit of U.S. history and a look back at a brief moment when many Americans and Africans caught glimpses of a shared and hopeful future.” — Karen Rothmyer, The Nation

This event will begin with an introduction by Cora Weiss, Former Executive Director of the African American Students Foundation, and include a special appearance by Peter Ogego, Kenyan ambassador to the United States.

This event is cosponsored by Africa Action, the Institute for Policy Studies, and Busboys and Poets. For more information and to RSVP, please email alyssa@ips-dc.org.