Michelle Obama, speaking at the Young Africans Leaders Initiative program, told a group of young Africans that the "blood of Africa" runs through her veins.
The First Lady, who also urged changing traditional beliefs on the worth of educating women, said that the roots of her family tree are in Africa and her husband's father was born and raised in Kenya, and that members of their extended family still live there, 24.com reported.
She also said that she have had the pleasure of travelling to Africa many times over the years, including four trips as first lady, and she has brought her mother and her daughters along whenever she can.
Obama added problems with girls' education often stemmed from traditional "attitudes and beliefs" that exist even in the United States and lead to issues such as the gender pay gap and an underrepresentation of women in leadership and that men worldwide needed to "look into their hearts and souls and ask if they truly view women as their equals".