Events & Calendars "How I Found My Voice": A Talk by Boniface Mwangi

The Department of Political Science at Amherst College welcomes Boniface Mwangi to discuss "How I Found My Voice."

Boniface Mwangi will speak about his experiences as a photojournalist during the Kenyan 2007 election, his activism work since and his decision to run for Member of Parliament in the most recent 2017 Kenyan election. In 2007, Mr. Mwangi gave voice and image to heartbreak of a nation with his photography.

Boniface Mwangi is one of the most vocal and courageous Kenyans of our generation. He came to the world’s attention for his vivid documentation of the 2007-08 post-election violence in Kenya. Subsequently he stood up alone in a packed stadium and heckled the then-president, seeking justice. He was arrested and beaten. Since then he has spearheaded campaigns that speak to equality, corruption and the end of tribalism in Kenya. A decade later, he and other like-minded Kenyans founded a vibrant youthful party, the Ukweli Party, or truth party. Through a groundbreaking crowd-sourcing campaign, they took part in the just concluded 2017 general election symbolizing transformative leadership in a country. Although at one point he stood alone, today his movement has gained traction with many – inspired by his vision and consistency – adding their voices to champion for a better Kenya.

Boniface Mwangi is an award-winning Kenyan photojournalist and human rights activist. His work has appeared in leading publications in the world — including The New York Times, The Guardian, The Chicago Tribune, The Los Angeles Times, The International Herald Tribune, The Sunday Times, The Telegraph and The Boston Globe.

He studied human rights and documentary photography at New York University. He has twice won the CNN Multichoice Africa Photojournalist of the Year Award and is the youngest Prince Claus Laureate. New African Magazine named him one of the 100 Most Influential Africans of 2014, and he is also a senior TED Fellow. Time magazine recognized him as a Next Generation Leader in 2015.

This event is sponsored by the Lamont Fund, dean of the faculty and political science department of Amherst College. It is free and open to the public.