Black Arrow (FC)
Black Arrow (FC) is a lifestyle brand that focuses on the intersection of soccer and black culture. We're building a community by creating new and engaging experiences around the game, AND SERVING AS A PLATFORM THAT CREATES CONTENT HIGHLIGHTING THE UNIQUE IMPACT AFRICANs HAVE ON THE SOCCER WORLD.
...using this community as a vehicle to connect in with all cultures.
Why Black Arrow
Black Arrow was created to explore, capture, and highlight the specific narratives and insights resulting from the impact of black culture around the beautiful game. By creating this outlet, Black Arrow has attained massive growth within the span of 4 months -- reaching 55,000+ fans on Facebook. More importantly, Black Arrow is tapping into an audience that's been overlooked for quite some time, all while building a community of dedicated fans from across the world. Currently, our fans represent over 45 countries across the globe, and needless to say, we're just getting started.
Only two months after founding Black Arrow, Aaron Dolores touched down in Nairobi, Kenya (his very first time in Africa) on an unrelated assignment for a consulting project with Facebook. During an afternoon of riding around town in a cab sightseeing, he heard stories from the cab driver about Joe Kadenge, the most famous footballer in Kenyan history and a living legend. Amazingly, after a series of questions and inquiries, combined with a little fate and luck, Aaron found himself walking right into Joe Kadenge’s front door in the middle of his dinner, a mere hour after mentioning in passing that he would love to meet Joe someday.
On the very last day Aaron was in Kenya, Joe agreed to sit down with him at Nairobi Stadium, the field Joe played at in 1955. At 82 years old, Joe had not been out of the house since ten months prior, when he fell sick. At the time, the whole country prepared to mourn his death, with even the President of Kenya paying him a visit.
It is this meeting that sparked an unlikely friendship and bond that would eventually help Aaron discover an even deeper purpose for Black Arrow... to connect the world through soccer and create impact.
II. Joe Kadenge's Accolades
In his prime, when Kadenge had the ball, anything could happen. He was calm, he was focused, he was swift, he was thunder itself. The commentator did not have to explain what Kadenge was doing - all that mattered, all that you needed to know, all that anyone needed to know - is that Joe Kadenge had the ball. It meant lightning was about strike; it meant you were about to witness brilliance. He was reliable. He got things done. He scored! The commentators would say “KadengeNaMpiraaaaa” meaning “Kadenge with the ball” – KadengeNaMpira became synonymous with the world famous “gooooaaaallll!”
CWC Cricket World Cup SIA 2003 (Sports Ambassador)
Sports personality of the Year 2005
In 2010, invited by Fifa to represent East and Central Africa at the opening ceremony of the World Cup finals in South Africa.
In 2012, he was appointed the First Kenya Football Ambassador by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF)
Presidential honour - SS Silver Star
Presidential honour - OGW Order Grand Warrior
Born March 16th, 1935
In the 60s played for Maragoli United - held the record for the fastest goal scored in the Kenyan Premier League
Played at Abuluhya United (now AFC Leopards), winning the Kenyan Premier League in 1966.
Kenya Sports Hall of Fame - 1994 Sponsored by Coke
Distinguished Service Award - Kenyatta University 1995
In 2002, he managed the Kenya National Football team
Silver Award Council of East Central Football 2002