Kenyan American Gospel Service Editorial Image

Through his father, American president Barack Obama has family roots in Kenya. African Americans by and large support Obama, none more so than those who also have ties to Kenya. Overall, an estimated 600.000 to 1 million Kenyans are living in the United States. The Tumaini Community Church in Springfield, MA, is a center for Kenyans living in Massachusetts’ third largest city. Tumaini means “hope” in Swahili, says Reverend Joseph Kimatu, the storefront church’s pastor. He leads services for adults and children in Kikuyu and Swahili, with English and Spanish and lots of gospel music mixed in. “He is American as any other American,” says Kimatu about president Obama. “But we are proud of his Kenyan roots.” This is one photo in a series of five