All NewsSnapshotsOdede ’12 Speaks to the Class of 2023 Olivia DrakeAugust 30, 20193minAs part of New Student Orientation and Wesleyan’s First Year Matters program, members of the Class of 2023 attended a lecture and discussion with Kennedy Odede ’12 on Aug. 30. Odede and his wife, Jessica Posner ’09, are co-authors of this year’s common read Find Me Unafraid: Love, Loss, and Hope in an African Slum. In their memoir, Odede and Posner share the story of their lives growing up in vastly different worlds. Odede reflects on the poverty, violence, and desperation he experienced growing up in Kibera, one of Kenya’s largest slums, and translating those feelings of disenfranchisement into community work by creating SHOFCO (Shining Hope for Communities). “The moment I set my feet at Wes, I knew I was really spoiled, privileged,” Odede said. “It doesn’t matter where you come from, if you are at Wes you are privileged…. And now ask yourself, ‘what will I do with my privilege?'” Odede welcomed questions from the audience. Class of 2012 Related Articles All NewsCampus News & Events March 27, 2024 Mike Mavredakis Hugo L. Black Lecturers Establish What’s at Stake When Free Expression on Campus is Imperiled All NewsArts & HumanitiesStudents March 25, 2024 Andrew Chatfield Art Comes to Life through Student Partnership with the Center for the Arts All NewsAlumni March 25, 2024 Steve Scarpa True ‘Blue’: James Kaplan ’73 Documents a Key Collaboration in Jazz History