Dreams from My Father Characters

Helima is Onyango’s first wife. She’s the first woman who can keep house to his standards, though they eventually discover that she cannot have children. Onyango, however, stays married to her, despite the fact that not being able to bear children is grounds for divorce.

Mr. Foster is the former head of a Chicago neighborhood Chamber of Commerce; he resigned a week before Barack, Angela, Shirley, and Mona went to meet with him. At the meeting, he explained that the Black business owners in the area struggle (or are unwilling) to work together.

Tim is a classmate and friend of Barack’s in college. Barack sees Tim as the polar opposite of Marcus: Tim is Black, but he’s suburban, middle-class, and wears argyle sweaters. When Barack makes fun of how “white” Tim acts, Marcus calls Barack out.

Mr. Anderson is the elderly project manager of Altgeld. A Black man who’s trying to hold onto the little bit of power he has, he proves an enemy when Altgeld residents discover that there might be asbestos in their apartments and Mr. Anderson avoids helping them.

Aunt Jane is one of Barack’s paternal aunts. She is the one to call Barack with the news that the Old Man died, though Barack doesn’t meet her in person until years later when he visits Kenya for the first time.

George is one of Barack’s younger half brothers. He is an elementary-age boy when Barack first visits Kenya and meets him.

Obama is Barack’s great-great grandfather and Onyango’s father. He was a beloved elder who disowned Onyango when Onyango adopted Western ways of dressing and conducting himself.

Omar is Barack’s uncle. He’s been in the United States for about 25 years when Barack travels to Kenya for the first time, and their relatives in Kenya refer to Omar as “lost” since he has left the fold of the family and doesn’t intend to return.

Dr. King is the principal at Asante’s school. He seems eager and genuinely willing to help with a program that they’re organizing—but Johnnie and Barack discover that he really just wants the proposed youth outreach organization to hire his wife and his daughter.

Dorsila is one of Onyango’s last surviving siblings. She’s in her seventies but seems young and innocent to Barack. Dorsila walks all the way from her village to visit with Barack and offers several insights into their family.

Angela is one of the Black women who works with Marty. She’s thrilled to have Barack on board, but she, like Shirley and Mona, soon become disillusioned with Marty. She continues to work with Barack after Marty leaves Chicago.

Jeff is a white friend of Barack and Ray’s. He plays on the basketball team at their high school. After Ray invites him and Scott to a Black party, Jeff tells Barack that he now understands how hard it must be to be the only Black kids at school.

Shirley is one of the Black women who works with Marty. She continues to work with Barack after Marty leaves Chicago.

Mona is one of the Black women who works with Marty. She continues to work with Barack after Marty leaves Chicago.

Smitty is a Black barber in Chicago. He cuts Barack’s hair and gives him a history lesson on Harold Washington’s election.

Ms. Alvarez is the city-wide administrator of the Mayor’s Office of Employment and Training.

Reverend Smalls is a Chicago reverend who consistently pushes back on Barack and Marty’s attempts to organize the city’s churches.

Reverend Reynolds is a Chicago reverend who is one of the first people to invite Barack to work with his church and the local ministerial alliance.

Miss Omoro is a British Airways employee working in Nairobi. She recognizes Barack as the Old Man’s son, a thrilling experience for Barack.

Amy is a Kenyan woman whom Roy announces he’s going to marry. Auma and Kezia dislike Amy; they believe that she’s irresponsible and brings out Roy’s worst qualities.

Elizabeth is Francis’s teenage niece; she accompanies Barack and Auma on their safari.

Maya is Obama’s younger half-sister. She’s Ann’s daughter with Lolo.

Scott is a white friend of Barack and Ray’s. He plays on the basketball team.

Hasan is Barack’s college roommate.

Kezia is one of Barack’s aunts and the Old Man’s first wife. She is the mother to Auma, Roy, Bernard, and Abo.

Salina is Billy’s mother, a tall and handsome woman.

Michelle is Barack’s wife. She’s an instant hit with his Hawaiian and Kenyan families.