THIS WEEK:
Rwandese Genocide Survivor
to Speak in Chicago

Immaculée Ilibagiza

Immaculée Ilibagiza, Rwandese born author will be speaking Saturday, June 28 to a group of fellow imigrants from Rwanda and the East African region. Ilibagiza was born in Rwanda where she lived and studies before 1994 when her life transformed dramatically during the Rwandan genocide. During this tragic moment, Ilibagiza and seven other women huddled silently together in a cramped bathroom of a local pastor’s house for 91 days! more>>

Commerce Chamber to be Launched for East Africa

To launch Friday, June 27

5:30 p.m., Friday, June 27 – United Kenyans of Chicago is scheduled to launch the US-East Africa Chamber of Commerce at a reception to be held at the South African Consulate – Chicago. The purpose of the Chamber will be to promote the development of small and medium sized enterprises of the East African community in the US Midwest region - starting with Chicago, as a means to economic self sufficiency; and to promote business ties between the United States’ Midwest and East Africa region. The chamber will be run as a program out of the UKC office in downtown Chicago. Only those who RSVP will be allowed to attend the launch. For more information, email: launch@chicagokenyans.org

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS:
Leecox Marries Martha

LtoR: Leecox and Martha Itulya Oyoo at the wedding reception

Chicago, IL-- Janet Kavere Omollo and Prof. Francis Musyoka Itulya traveled all the way from Kenya to witness the marriage of their children – Leecox Oyoo and Martha Nguthi in colorful wedding ceremony held Saturday, June 14, 2008. If you are planning to have a wedding soon and have not committed on a location, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 North Cannon Drive in Chicago, Illinois is place to check out. Their outdoor ambience was befitting. Food was catered by Kitoweo Catering owned by Kenyan native Liz Scott together with other local caterers. Mashariki Leo wishes Martha and Leecox a graceful switch into married life.

Former Chicagoan Earns Masters from
J.F. Kennedy School

Martin Mbaya at the graduation ceremony

Cambridge, MA -- Martin M. Mbaya, former Chicagoan and board member to Chicago Association of Kenyan Professional (CAKP) graduated June 4 from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government with masters in public policy. Mbaya, who had graduated from M.I.T with bachelors in Engineering relocated to Chicago in early 2000 to pursue a career with Chicago-based IT company called Tenfold. Some of Chicagoans who traveled to Cambridge, MA to attend Mbaya’s graduation included long time friends Jacob Sitati and Paul Kanjau.