MIAMI GARDENS – Miami Gardens Councilman Erhabor Ighodaro will host a short film, photo exhibit and discussion group ‘Sojourn of Truth – From Sierra Leone to Kenya: An Excursion to Africa, Thursday, Nov. 14, 5:30 – 7 p.m. at City Hall, 1515 N.W. 167th St., Miami Gardens.

Having recently returned from a two-week journey to Sierra Leone, West Africa as part of the Rites of Passages program, Ighodaro and two Miami Gardens’ students, Dawn Millings and Gerre Barnwell visited historic Sierra Leone sites such as Laka Beach, Free-Town and Diamond Mine as well as met with Sierra Leone heads of state. The event is open to the public.

“The two young ‘ambassadors’ were chosen as scholarship recipients for the honor based on academic performance and community involvement,” said Ighodaro. “We live in a global village and in this competitive global market our children must be prepared to compete with our counterparts from China, Germany, etc.”

South Florida student Gerre Barnwell will be on hand to discuss his experiences in Africa and share with the audience his personal and educational growth as a result.

“Not only is Africa enriched with monetary value, but they have things that are good for the soul,” said Barnwell. Links between Miami Gardens and Africa extend into Kenya as well. Julia Yarbough, media relations specialist for Miami Gardens, also recently traveled to Africa on assignment, capturing safari experiences in Tanzania and documenting sanitation and water issues for women and children in Nairobi. Yarbough will partner with Ighodaro to present MAJI — a short film documentary featuring Kenyan architect Ronald Omyonga and his dream of providing clean water to Kenyan communities. Participants will also embark on a visual African Safari without ever leaving South Florida.