After Sule Oduola’s death in 2008, Akin visited New York for his memorial, where he received a book from Sule's library. Akin Akinlade arrived in New York City in 1989 at 19. In Nigeria, he had lost his way—partying with friends and lacking direction. He believed moving to the United States would change that. Akin’s father was friends with Sule, who gave Akin a place to stay in New York. While living with him in Brooklyn, Akin attended college while working two security jobs. After a few years, Akin moved out, explaining that it is customary not to “overstay" one’s visit. Without Sule’s support, he became involved in a credit card fraud scheme. The appeal of living comfortably without working long hours drove his decision. After four to five years, he was arrested, served five years in prison, and was deported to Nigeria. Today, he lives there with his wife and two children. Although he says he would have returned to Nigeria eventually, his experience led him to view the “American Dream” as an illusion. While he believes America offers opportunity, he argues the system makes success difficult, allowing the wealthy to continue accumulating wealth while those at the bottom struggle to move up. The book, Great African Thinkers by Cheikh Anta Diop, serves as a reminder of Sule’s generosity and the turning point in Akin’s life. While living in New York, Akin was so consumed with working and surviving that he never had an artifact to remind him of home. Looking back, he sees the book as representing the moment he regained focus on what mattered.

– Simone Oduola

Relationship:  Im/migrant Im/migrant