Sokoni Karanja (Finding Aid)

Sokoni Karanja

1940 -

Favorite Color: Red, Yellow

Favorite Food: Turkey and Pecan Pie

Favorite Time of Year: Spring and Summer

Favorite Vacation Spot: Mombasa, Africa

Interview Length: 151 minutes

Interview Date(s): January 7, 2005

Interview Location(s): Chicago, Illinois

Abstract

Sokoni Karanja, founder of Centers for New Horizons, describes his family background, detailing his ancestors on his mother's side. Karanja recalls stories about two uncles who were prominent gangsters in Topeka, Kansas, and shares other family stories. Karanja also recalls getting to know NAACP leader McKinley Burnett through his participation in church in Topeka. Sokoni Karanja, founder of Centers for New Horizons, discusses his youth, including being influenced by Topeka, Kansas NAACP president McKinley Burnett and author J. A. Rogers. Karanja then describes his childhood in Topeka, including relating stories about he and his siblings. Karanja then recalls his schooling experience up through junior high school in Topeka, including a comparison of schools before and after integration. Sokoni Karanja, founder of Centers for New Horizons, continues to describe his early life in Topeka, Kansas, including his high school education. Karanja remembers incidences of racism that helped to shape his social views. Karanja then discusses his studies at many different universities, including Washburn University, Atlanta University, University of Cincinnati, and Brandeis University. Karanja details civil rights activism in Atlanta during the 1960s and describes his own activism while he was at Cincinnati. Sokoni Karanja, founder of Centers for New Horizons, discusses his time as an administrator at Brandeis University, recalling a time when he accompanied a student takeover of an administration building on campus. Karanja then details his experiences living in Tanzania, where he lived in villages researching Julius Nyerere and the Ujamaa economic method. Karanja then talks about his return to the United States and discusses his attendance at Black Power conferences in the 1970s. Sokoni Karanja, founder of Centers for New Horizons, discusses the influence of Maulana Karenga and shares his impressions of Eldridge Cleaver. Karanja then goes into a detailed discussion about founding the Centers for New Horizons, a community childhood education initiative. Karanja discusses the goals, success, and expansion of the Centers, which now has twenty locations on Chicago's South Side. Karanja then tells the infamous story of when he was victimized by police brutality in 2004. Sokoni Karanja, founder of Centers for New Horizons, talks about his future plans for opening new Centers and developing more programs. Karanja then reflects on his career as an organizer and shares his concerns for African American communities, as well as noting the influence of his family on his career and considering his legacy.

33 Stories (See Ordered Story Set)