Cécile Kashetu Kyenge,Italy's First Black Minister

Congolese-born Cecile Kashetu Kyenge held a press conference on Friday May 03,2013 to introduce herself to Italians so they could get to know her, saying: “I am black. This is important to say. I emphasise it proudly.”

Cecile Kashetu Kyenge’s appointment as Integration Minister had been hailed as a big step for Italy, which has only recently had to cope with waves of immigration.

However,the appointment prompted racist taunts from xenophobic politicians and members of neo-fascist Internet groups.