West Memphis mayor makes pilgrimage to Africa

McClendon shares details of his “life altering” visit to discover his heritage

By DON WILBURN

donaldfwilburn@gmail.com

West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon recently made a life-changing pilgrimage to Dakar, Senegal in Africa during Black History Month to discover, in his own words “much more than just his roots”. The trip was a deeply personal journey for McClendon, who wanted to connect with his ancestral homeland and learn more about his heritage.

“The whole thing was a great experience and really gave me a new perspective on not only Black History, but who I am and what more I can do as a person and as Mayor.” said Mayor McClendon, “I was very honored to be made ambassador and seeing how the people live and in what ways I could help.”

During his visit, Mayor McClendon was warmly welcomed by the people of Dakar and was even made an official Ambassador to the city of Guédiawaye by their mayor, Ahmed Aidara. In his new role, Mayor McClendon will work with Samuel Pieh of Baptist Memorial, local churches and charities to send much-needed necessities to the people of Guédiawaye, a poor (by American standards) but vibrant community. Despite its poverty, Mayor Mc-Clendon was struck by the resilience and joy of the people in Guédiawaye. He noted that while they may not have many material possessions, they value relationships and community above all else. He found the people to be incredibly welcoming and generous, despite the challenges they face on a daily basis.

“Despite many not having much, you could see that they didn’t place such value on material things like we do. There might be a lot of poverty, but it is not an unhappy place. The murder rate is very low there and the people have learned to co-exist different, just different from how we do. We take a lot of things for granted.”

The Mayor mentioned that one thing that stood out to him when touring a local school was that he witnessed three children all sharing the same single apple. The See AFRICA, page A3

West Memphis Fire Chief Barry Early joined Mayor McClendon on his trip to Senegal, Africa.

Photo submitted AFRICA

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sight marked him so because it did not appear to be out of necessity, but perhaps more out of a sense of sharing and community.

During his time in Senegal, Mayor McClendon had the opportunity to truly immerse himself in the local culture. He says that while the Super Bowl was not broadcast there he did have a chance to catch a game, sampled traditional Senegalese cuisine, and marveled at the diverse wildlife on a safari tour. He was particularly taken with the majestic animals he saw, including elephants, lions, monkeys, rhinos and giraffes.

Marco also spoke about the dark history of the region and why Dakar is known to many as “the Door of No Return.” The ominous phrase refers to the point on Goree Island, just off the coast of Dakar, where enslaved Africans were held in cramped, dehumanizing conditions before being shipped off to a life of bondage and exploitation in the New World. As they passed through this door, they were leaving behind their homes, families, cultures, and identities with no hope of return.

“My great grandmother, who was born in 1900 and passed away in 1994 at 94 years old, her grandmother was brought to America as a slave. She she used to tell me the stories and has always made me curious about my heritage. I think a lot of young people could benefit from hearing those stories. I know I did.”

Senegal, located in West Africa, is home to a population of over 16 million people. The country has a rich history and vibrant culture, with influences from both African and European traditions. Senegal is known for its breathtakingly beautiful beaches, vibrant music scene, and bustling markets.

When asked about his roots, Mayor McClendon says he discovered that he is 67 percent Ghanaian through a DNA test, further deepening his connection to Africa. He plans to continue his work as an Ambassador to Guédiawaye and hopes to foster stronger ties between West Memphis and Senegal.

TOP LEFT: McClendon says seeing all of the amazing animals up close and personal while on safari was one of the highlights of his visit. TOP RIGHT: McClendon was made an official Ambassador to the city of Guédiawaye in Senegal by their own mayor, Ahmed Aidara. The West Memphis mayor will be working with local charities to send supplies to the region. BOTTOM LEFT: McClendon toured a local high school where he said the people were warm and welcoming and not as focused on material things as much as their American counterparts. BOTTOM MIDDLE: A hungry lioness munches on some raw meat while McClendon was on safari. BOTTOM RIGHT: If giraffes wore ties would they go on the top or the bottom of their necks?

Photos submitted