Sharing Our Stories. What does it mean to be an immigrant in the US?

Imali J. Abala, originally from Kenya, came to the United States as an immigrant in 1983 to attend Wilmington College.  Following her graduation, she enrolled in graduate school at Ohio State University from 1987 – 1992 where she earned MAs in Black Studies and English and a PhD in English. Imali has been a professor at Ohio Dominican University since 1992.

Dr. Abala is a novelist, poet, memoirist, short story writer, and children's book author. Much of her work amplifies women's voices, challenges patriarchal norms, and reflects on her experiences in the United States. A passionate postcolonial feminist, she explores themes of identity, resilience, and justice through her acclaimed novels and lyrical poetry. 

Her writing is bold, evocative, and deeply committed to empowering women. Imali will be sharing her experiences as an immigrant, in part through the story of the main character in her semi-autobiographical memoir, Fragmented Lives. The character, Mary Upanga, left Kenya for the United States in search of opportunity, but met unexpected challenges from discrimination and poverty to the constant fear of deportation.