Since graduating SU in 1996, Kafele Khalfani has done it all - moving from the advertising world to following his passion to help young people. Today you'll hear about his career in higher education, as well as his time fostering and adopting kids.
Kafele saw a brochure for Syracuse University with a picture of Rick Wright at Z89, and he immediately put all his eggs into an orange basket. He applied early, nowhere else, and got to campus in 1992. It was during a summer program that he found a staticy station at 89.1 that was playing the music he liked. He reached out, and Kim Sykes brought him in when school started.
At Z89, Kafele was on the air (you'll hear his various on-air monikers), and worked in promotions, PR, and just about everything else at the station. WJPZ was home for he and his classmates. As he said, in a time before most cell phones, if you were looking for someone, they were either in their room, at the station, or eating at Kimmel. You'll hear many familiar mid-90's names in today's episode.
After graduation, Kafele got into advertising during the dot com boom. When that boom turned into a bust, he got involved in higher education. He had such an amazing undergrad experience, thanks in part to WJPZ, he wanted to see a new generation of students have that. In 22 years in higher ed, he's been a Residence Director, Dean of Students, consultant, and more. He's also done work in the diversity, equity, and inclusion space.
Kafele always wanted to be a dad, but for him, it wouldn't be easy. He hilariously explains why. When his best friend, a social worker, told him about fostering and adoption, he was hooked. Turns out he'd have to get certified twice - in New York, then when he returned to California. He tells us the fantastic story of his first foster, who he'd later adopt, and when he finally felt like a Dad. He's gone on to foster more kids since.
We wrap up the episode by talking about the issue of race at WJPZ. It's a topic that's been brought up by several of his classmates, and with Kafele's experience in the DEI space, we wanted to get his perspective.
The WJPZ at 50 Podcast Series is produced by Jon Gay, Class of 2002, and his podcast production agency, JAG in Detroit Podcasts.
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