Obama reconnects with the boy who touched his head, congratulates him on graduation
Global Desk: Barak Obama has reconnected with the little boy named Jacob Philadelphia who had touched Obama’s head during a meeting at the Oval Office in 2009.
On Friday, the former President of the United States met him through an online video call who has now grown up and graduated from high school.
According to the video of the reunion posted by Obama across his social media channels, besides engaging in a friendly conversation, he also extended his congratulations to Jacob for completing his graduation from Uganda.
Alternatively, by recalling the moment when the young man came to meet the president at his office, Obama stated that the White House visit must have clearly inspired Jacob.
Jacob in reply also spoke about his memories related to the special moment in his life with the president and said that it was really inspiring.
Besides, he also stated that when he came to meet Obama, he had no idea how powerful the president was, as he had only thought him to be his father’s boss.
Obama also remembered the iconic moment when Jacob had touched his head and asked, “Is your hair like mine?”.
The very moment was also captured by a White House photographer and named it “Hair Like Me” became symbolic of inclusiveness and representation.
In the video Obama also shared his memories when he said his wife Michelle Obama and members of the staff that if he were to get elected as the president, then young people and especially the African American and the people of colour would look at themselves differently.
Jacob Philadelphia came to meet Barak Obama at the Oval Office with his parents and brother in 2009. His father Carlton Philadelphia was then a staff member for the National Security Council.
Currently, he is in Uganda and completed his high school graduation. In reply to Obama’s question about his future plans, Jacob said that he wishes to come back to the United States and study political science in the University of Memphis.