Celebrating the Inauguration of President Barack Obama

Kim's Kronicles — By Kim Webster on May 23, 2010 at 3:22 pm

I remember meeting our President when he was the Illinois Senator.   I was in the pressroom at the NAACP Image Awards several years ago.  Mr. Obama immediately caught my attention when he walked in the room and I said to the photographer next to me, “Ooowww he’s cute, who is that!!!”  The answer was, “ That’s Senator Barack Obama from Illinois.”  I was all giggles and grins and asked him could I take his picture.  He smiled, greeted me and said,“sure.”

It’s so wonderful to celebrate the inauguration of  our 44^th President of the United States.  While those in Washington, D.C. celebrated at fabulous galas, people all over the country attended local formal events.

After taping and recording everything that I could all day, I decided to check out the “night life” and have a bit of fun.  First stop was The Grand to attend the “Official West Coast Inaugural Ball” sponsored by Grandma’s House and the World Literacy Crusade.  The next stop was an informal gathering at Shore Books.  I got a chance to chat with a few folks and tune into their joy during the evening.

“I feel acknowledged, I feel seen, I feel a humongous pressure lifted off my shoulders,” said Gilbert Stokes. “I feel inspired,” added his wife Stormy. “I think he’s wonderful,” said Mika Gay who came here from Atlanta to celebrate with her family. “It’s a historic time and I’m happy that I can celebrate the moment.” She posed with a portrait of President Obama taken by Los Angeles photographer Malcolm Ali. “I’m an old man and this is the best thing that has ever happened in my life,” said Tony Navarro. “I cried,” said Bonnie Jones, who flew in from San Francisco. “It was life changing. It has renewed my faith in my fellow man. I’m proud to be an American. “This was a good shock to the system,” said Jude Vela Diallo. “Today has been amazing,” added Diallo’s wife Lonne. “It feels good, it’s time.” “I’m elated,” said Linda January. “I’m from Alabama and I thought of the struggles of my parents, trying to make things better for us by moving to the West coast. I remember the boycotts and the Civil Rights Movement. My mother participated in them.”

Kim Webster, originally of Niagara Falls, New York  is a talented Los Angeles photojournalist who has interviewed and photographed many celebrities and luminaries.