Today, October 29, 2025, I participated in the Northfield Public Library Writer Fest. Northfield is a small town in southeatern Minnesota. Writers of thsi town cme together at the Library to present their work to the public and to talk about writing, publishing and marketing books. Every writer had three minutes to read from or talk about their work. I enjoyed talking about my work in folklore, mentioning how my book "Matengo Folktales" got mentioned on "Jeopardy." People were amazed. I also talked about my work as a cultural consultant. I read two paragraphs from my Africans and Americans book: the one about American parties, (p. 1) and the one about how I misinterpreted eye contact as a graduate student in Madison, Wisconsin. That generated excitement.I told the audience that I have no clue how my book got to "Jeopardy."

Did you know that Africans call Black Americans white people? Black Americans encounter this in Africa and are shocked, angered and offended. I have witnessed this again and and again and I have been moved to shed light on the matter and cool the tempers. Living in anger is not good for anyone's health. Here is my message: https://youtu.be/8ThwxrX29eI?si=LvUACSfCMpmUmd1P

Africa means a great deal to me, not only because it is my continent, but more so because it the cradle of the human race. I am passionate about presenting to the world the African cultural heritage, particularly storytelling. I often use my book, "Matengo Folktales." I like telling people that on November 23, 2017, out of the blue, this book appeared as a clue on "Jeopardy," the famous American TV show. Americans think this is "really cool." However, none of the contestants on the show was able to answer the question. African folktales, songs, proverbs, and other forms of storytelling present what our ancestors thought about relationships, values, human nature, and the human condition. "Matengo Folktales" is available here: www.lulu.com/spotlight/mbele

Welcome! It is great to have you here. I will be sharing my knowledge and passion about things African, particularly culture, literature, and folklore, as well as insights about cultural differences between Africans and Americans, an issue of vital importance especially today, with all the interactions happening between Africans and Americans in Africa and in the USA. I also explore Latin American culture, after dicovering great similarities between it and African culture. I am curious to know a little about you, especially your interests and what attracted you to this forum