The immigrants who work at The Broadmoor made an immediate impression on Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade. "I was so blown away this little echo chamber of international culture here in my city that I was unaware of," Mobolade said. Mobolade had his first stay at The Broadmoor over Memorial Day weekend, where he saw the working population of the hotel for the first time.
And he could immediately relate to them. Mobolade was born in Nigeria and left to pursue higher education in America in August of 1996. In 2010, Mobolade moved to Colorado Springs and founded a church with the Christian and Missionary Alliance.
It was not until seven years later in 2017 that he officially became a U.S. citizen.
When staying at The Broadmoor, Mobolade said he was moved by the international presence and the shared American dream stories of all the immigrants who worked there. He spoke about how he "immediately needed to know these people," and made plans to host a Q & A-style event, which took place Thursday evening at The Little Theater, drawing a packed room. The Broadmoor employs hundreds of employees from more than 23 countries and cultures who are on work visas, giving them a chance at the "American Dream" Mobolade spoke about extensively.
Mobolade dove right into sharing details from his own immigration story from Nigeria, getting emotional while reflecting on the leaders who supported him early on in his life in the U.S., highlighting the impact of welcoming gestures on his personal .