Larry Madowo Makes History in Canada

File image of Larry Madowo
File image of Larry Madowo
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BBC correspondent Larry Madowo has become the first black person to deliver a lecture at Carleton University in Canada. 

Thanks to technology, Madowo made his December 2, lecture virtually as the first black person in the 24 years Canada’s Carleton University School of Journalism has held annual keynotes. 

In his comical nature, the journalist quipped that if he had been informed of the historical moment earlier he would have won a tie for the event. 

BBC journalist Larry Madowo making his virtual lecture to Canada’s Carleton University School of Journalism
BBC journalist Larry Madowo making his virtual lecture to Canada’s Carleton University School of Journalism
File

In his address, which he named Stranger in a Strange Land, Madowo reflected on his journey from covering the disputed presidential elections in Kenya in 2007-08.

He related it to the political turmoil in which the United States is now embroiled, with President Donald Trump accusing his opponent Joe Biden of election malpractice. 

As it was in Kenya, Trump supporters also declined to acknowledge the legitimacy of Biden’s win, with cases already in court. 

Madowo recognized the importance and impact of journalism that bears witness in troubled areas around the world delivered by a correspondent with experience reporting from conflict zones. 

His address put a focus on events surrounding the disputed presidential election in the US and acknowledged that conflict can take many forms.

Madowo made his mark with his coverage of the US presidential election and its aftermath and is a pioneering digital journalist with more than 4 million social media followers around the world on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Having started his career in Kenya as a business reporter and anchor,  he joined BBC as the Africa Business Editor responsible for setting up a new unit, hiring nearly 30 reporters and producers in five countries and launching six new shows. 

After relocating to the US, Madowo is now a correspondent for the BBC based in Washington DC and has anchored breaking news from the Washington DC studios and presented its flagship program BBC World News America.

He was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2020. 

File image of Larry Madowo
File image of Knight-Bagehot fellow Larry Madowo
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