Meet the June Member of the Month, Malado Barro! Malado has been an active member of African Communities Together since 2014.
Where are you from?&
I am from Mali, West Africa.
What is one of your favorite Malian dishes?
My favorite Malian food is tô with okra.
Have you traveled to any other cities across the United States? If so, which cities are your favorite?
Yes, I have traveled to different cities in the U.S. My favorite city is Baton Rouge, Louisiana because the people there were hospitable and welcoming. I also enjoyed Baton Rouge for their tasty seafood, particularly the way they make grilled shrimp.
What is one of your proudest moments here in the United States and what did that experience mean to you?
One of my proudest moments here was when I was the only African student in English language classes at Louisiana State University. At the end of the class, I received a certificate of excellence in recognition of me earning a 4.0 GPA. It was a very special moment for me since it has changed many people's false impression that we Africans are unintelligent and have a low IQ.
How have you been involved with ACT?
I've been with ACT for almost 2 years. I've been to all of the Monthly Member Meetings, except one! In the upcoming months, I plan to increase my involvement with ACT by getting more involved in the African Language Cooperative.
What is your vision for the African community?
I hope to see a united, strong, and proud community with better and happier days ahead. ACT is the guiding light, the GPS we needed to meet each other and connect. We need more participation and commitment among our community members because the only way we can stand and stay strong is when we are a unified community. The stronger we are the better we move forward.