Published on 27 October 2022
A short piece on Barack Hussein Obama II
Barack Hussein Obama II served two terms as the 44th President of the United States of America (USA) from 2009 to 2017. He made history by becoming the very first African American President of the USA, having been born to a Kenyan father (Barack Obama I) and a white American woman (Stanley Ann Dunham). The founding fathers of America would have hoped that the leadership of the country would be limited to Americans of global wealth, local and international connections as well as those with strong family heritage. They were wrong; they would never have foreseen an African American for the topmost job in the land.
One of the key lessons about his life is the belief and knowing that you could achieve anything if you have the right combinations and you put them to good use. To him, this includes a good upbringing, consistent core values, hard work, education and a personal conviction for success. “Yes, we can!” became one of the key slogans used by the 2008 Barack Obama presidential campaign which also highlights his belief and conviction for possibilities irrespective of your challenges.
As a fellow black man, it is inspirational to have such a legend not only breaking the records and writing history but also stirring other people to achieve such amazing feats. The Barack Obama Foundation’s Leadership Program inspires, empowers and connect regional cohorts of changemakers to accelerate positive and lasting change in their communities. A man who did not found himself at the top of the ladder all of a sudden, but climbed steadily with focus, doggedness, persistence and a self-built determination.
Concluding on the words of this sage; “There is no excuse for not trying”.