Tanzania, July 31 -- Dar es Salaam. For Dr Cecelela L. Tomi, earning a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Childhood Studies from Rutgers University in the United States was never simply an academic milestone. It was the culmination of a deeply personal journey rooted in her Tanzanian heritage and driven by a determination to ensure that the experiences of African immigrant families are recognised within global scholarship.

Speaking to The Citizen on July 29, 2026, Dr Tomi reflected on how her research has become a bridge between academic inquiry and the lived realities of Tanzanian families at home and abroad.

Although born and raised in the United States, Dr Tomi said Tanzania has always remained central to her identity. Her father's family...