A professional translator, Kenyan-born Sarah Onyango is a well-known fixture on Ottawa’s community television and radio scene. She hosts the monthly African cultural program Fontonfrom, on Rogers TV Cable 22, Ottawa as well as the weekly radio programs, Black on Black and Afrika Revisited on CHUO 89.1FM (University of Ottawa community radio). She had also written articles for now defunct Spectrum, and is a regular contributor to Black Ottawa Scene, Ottawa’s English-language, Black monthly community news magazine.
A tireless promoter of African and Caribbean culture and activities, Sarah has for many years been actively involved in public relations work for various African and Caribbean diplomatic missions as well as numerous community organizations such as Black History Ottawa, Fête Caribe, DreamKEEPERS, the Jamaican (Ottawa) Community Association, and the United Way. She has acted as Master of ceremonies for various high profile events including the 10th anniversary of South Africa’s post-apartheid democracy (2004), 25th anniversary of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (2006), and the African Union Day gala (2006-2012), as well as galas and forums by community organizations such as OCISO. Sarah’s awards for community service include the United Way/Centraide Ottawa Community Builder Award (2008 & 2011), the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012) and the leading Women Leading Girls award (2014).
Sarah’s responses to our questions provide a glimpse into of the life of this remarkable young woman.
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Could you tell me about your childhood? Where were you born? Is there anything about your childhood that stands out for you? Helped form who you are today? Your parents, friends, school?
I was born the eldest of five, in Nairobi, Kenya, and spent parts of my childhood and adolescence in Kenya, Tanzania, Belgium and Canada. I am obviously a product of the blend of “international and traditional African” upbringing I received as a “global nomad” (a term commonly used to describe children of military, diplomatic, NGO personnel and missionaries who spend their lives in various places outside of their country of origin). Early and constant exposure to people of different cultures and races greatly expanded my world view and fuelled the curiosity that led to my interest in politics, media and intercultural cooperation. I was six when I decided I wanted to be a foreign TV correspondent! My parents talked me out of that and steered me towards a career in languages instead. Attending schools where I was often one of the few black students not only exposed me to racism and all the negativity that comes with it but also strengthened my resolve not to let others define me using stereotypes associated with my skin colour.
When did you come to Canada, what made you decide on Canada, Ottawa?
My diplomat father was posted here by the Kenyan government in 1980. Over a decade later, after having completed my undergraduate degree here and worked in Kenya for several years, I returned here in 1992 with my then-husband.
What is your educational background?
I studied translation at the University of Ottawa, then earned a Master’s in linguistics from the Université de Franche-Comté (Besançon), France.
What can you tell us about your day job?
I am a translator for a Canadian television network specializing in political, parliamentary and public affairs coverage. This is the perfect job for me as it combines my passion for language and politics. I also enjoy the fast pace of broadcast media; you rarely have time to get bored!
You have been very prominent in the black community for many years. Your influence is felt equally in both the Anglophone and francophone communities. Could you describe your activities, especially your volunteer involvement?
I started volunteering in this community back in 1994 as a Tutor/Writer/Workshop Facilitator with the Harambee Centre. At around the same time, I got involved wit Black History Ottawa and continue to volunteer with this organization promoting Canadian black history and achievement. My community media volunteer career began in 1998 when I joined the “Black on Black” team at CHUO 89.1FM (University of Ottawa). I am still one of the hosts of this weekly radio show that focuses on issues, people and events in the black Diaspora. I have been co-hosting and co-producing the show “Afrika Revisited” at the same station since 2002. In 2003, I became a community producer and host of “Fontonfrom”, a monthly television program on Rogers TV-Ottawa that showcases personalities and events in Ottawa. In 2003, a friend and myself created the website BlackOttawa411 website, an online community information resource which exists to this day. My love of outdoor festivals and events has led me to volunteer for the National Capital Commission (Canada Day, Canadian Tulip Festival) and Fête Caribe, the 1998 Canadian Tribute to Human Rights during Nelson Mandela’s visit to Ottawa, as well as the 4thGames of La Francophonie (2001). Since 2008, I have been one of the media presenters of the Recognition Team for United Way/Centraide Ottawa’s Community Builder Awards Program. I feel exhausted just making this list!
How do you find the time and the energy to stay engaged in all your community activities? How has that impacted on your personal social life?
I prioritize and organize accordingly! I’m not what you would call a “homebody” and I like being out and about in the community, keeping up with what’s happening. When you don’t have a family, as is my case, it’s that much easier to find the energy to be as active in the community as I am. My social life is very much tied to my community commitments so I have to say it is a very busy and interesting one!
What has been your biggest achievement and what was your biggest challenge? In your work, family life, volunteer work?
I am very proud to see that I have helped showcase the many contributions of our black community in a positive way and that this has led to an increased and more favorable coverage of our community in the local mainstream media. I am equally quite pleased to see that others have also joined the movement to “fill the information gaps” that too often hamper our progress and community-building efforts. Most of all, I am most happy to have helped create spaces where many of our people and organizations can network and work together to develop the community on various levels. One of my biggest challenges has been to know when to say “no” and to accept my limitations. You can’t please everyone all of the time, and as a community volunteer/activist you have to manage expectations. The more “visible” you are in the community, the more people seem to feel “entitled” to your support and voluntary contribution to their initiatives. One has sometimes has to make hard choices dictated by one’s core values and priorities. I have learned that I can’t be all things to all people.
You are very involved in the women’s movement? What made you go into this? What is the goal of this movement and how is it playing out in the national capital region?
No, I’m not “involved in the women’s movement”! And I certainly don’t feel qualified to discuss it at length, especially with regards to its evolution in Canada’s black community. I can neither readily quote any research nor anecdotal evidence that would support any observation I might make. There are others in this community who have worked for Status of Women Canada and women’s organizations like the National Action Committee on the Status of Women (NAC), Match International and Congress of Black Women of Canada who could provide a much more informed perspective. That being said, I do support initiatives and programs that promote women’s equality and empowerment. I believe that when you empower a woman, you empower her family and an entire community.
How do you see the relationship between black men and women in Ottawa and in Canada in general? There are some black women who claim they are not respected by black men, that black men give more respect to white women than themselves? Do you support this point of view?
I really would rather not comment too much on this very touchy subject as I find generalizations unhelpful. Each situation and person is different. Who ever really knows what motivates someone to choose a partner or partners of a specific race (if race is event the main reason for the attraction)? The term “respect” in this discussion would have to be properly defined. The “disrespect” also flows in the opposite direction (women disrespecting men). That being said, I have a feeling that certain negative societal trends and factors (expectations based on music video stereotypes, poor communication and basic social skills, lack of cultural proficiency, the “instant gratification” culture etc.) may be contributing to the tensions between black men and women of my own generation.
There appears to be a divide on one level between black francophone and Anglophone communities, and on another level between people from continental Africa and those from the Caribbean. These discrete groups often operate separately and rarely hold events together or collaborate in joint projects to their mutual benefit? Do you agree with this perception and if so what can be done to increase collaboration among our various community groups?
Unfortunately this continues to be the case and even within each language group you get this same “operating in silos and in competition” approach. There are various factors at play here. There is the “territorial” aspect, where people view collaboration with other groups as a “threat” to their own group’s status and access to funding. There’s also a layer of distrust, and it doesn’t help that so few of us make a conscious effort to attend each other’s events even just to network and build bridges. There should be more reciprocity (I support your efforts, you support mine) and a recognition of how our shared black ancestry affects our lives as a collective in this society. This is not to say that each group shouldn’t have its separate and distinct activities. There’s no reason why we can’t do both individual and collaborative initiatives. As someone who operates in all of these “communities within the black community”, I am always frustrated by the closed-mindedness and “us vs. them” mentality exhibited by some people. What kind of environment are we creating for our children and youth when we imprison ourselves in “mental ghettos”? The more you know “the other”, the less threatened you feel by them and their initiatives and the greater the likelihood of creating the kind of goodwill that translates into collaborative endeavours. The leaders of these organizations should be leading the way in this regard, and I’m glad to see that there have been some attempts to do so over the years. Unfortunately there is no “groundswell”, just a small group of the same folks who “get it” trying to expand this outreach and collaboration. It’s a pity.
Finally, do you have a message for readers of Black Ottawa Scene?
My general philosophy of life is a combination of “You must be the change you want to see in the world and “To whom much is given, much is expected”. When you see an obvious need or problem in the community that must be addressed, do something! Don’t be complaining if you’re not willing to be part of the solution. Everyone can play a part – big or small – in making a positive difference for the wider community. Once you have identified a problem, look for allies and build partnerships with folks who share your concerns and are willing (and able) to help provide sustainable solutions. Adopt best practices that have been used successfully by others. Whatever you do, do it in good faith (and with integrity) and always think “big picture” and long term. Insularity has not served our black community well at all! Finally, be realistic and avoid the “reinventing the wheel” mentality that comes from not doing proper research before undertaking community-based projects.
Fantastic article Sarah! Thank you for your very astute observations.
Funny story. Some years back i bought an old copy of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey from a street vendor in Nairobi. On the inside cover is written “Amelia Onyango, Brussels”. I always wondered who this Amelia was. Today after a short google search i came across Sarah Onyango, daughter of Amelia Onyango. I think this book once belonged to your mum. Perhaps you would want it back if not for sentimental reasons, just to be able to tell this funny story to someone else. I wonder how the book got to a Nairobi street vendor all the way from Belgium….
I am so glad I am here to listen to the indepth insights regarding how we should interact as diversified communities and indiduals. Happy to be connected with you in this way.