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After seeing President Barack Obama as senator, deliver the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, I knew something special was in store for the future of American politics, the world and most of all, people of the African Diaspora.

On the Oprah Winfrey show in 2007, Barack Obama promised her that he would announce his decision to run for the Presidency on her show if he so decided. Given her viewership base of millions, it was then that I knew that he had a chance and indeed could win. I became a volunteer during the primary and performed African drumming at a campaign fund raiser in the West Village of New York City.

The event was hosted by President Barack Obama's Harvard Universitylaw class of 1991 and featured Lisa Lang as the keynote guess speaker.

I played for a view minutes and then explained my mission and why I was a committed African Drummer within our community. It was the renowned late actor Ozzie Davis, who as the quest speaker at my God Son's school fund raiser some 30 years ago, spoke about the African drum.

The fact that playing the drum, was one of the first restrictions imposed on Africans when they where enslaved in the United States. He stated that every important event that celebrates someone in our community, should feature the drum as a symbol of healing and reestablishing the connection to our ancestors, and our rich African cultural traditions.

For some 30 years, I have performed and lectured about the African drum at school programs, funerals, birthday celebrations and other major events in African American community. I performed in front of the Washington monument during President Obama's inauguration. Most recently , I played at a memorial celebration in New York City for the transition of my group home brother and friend for over fifty years, Carlos Miranda, who was a renowned photographer residing in New York City.

Wesley Gray

.Please spread the word to all families within the African diaspora, to purchase a drum for the family. To purchase books, Cd's and DVD's at bargain holiday discounts, that teach how to play the African drum, so that ever family will have a designated drummer. Review the Amazon. link below for the wide variety of books written about African spiritual traditions,culture and history. This will provide information for a stimulating discussion of Africa centered around the drum.