Conversations from the Diaspora

Join us in this enlightening episode with Dr. Ndu David as we explore the motivations that led a Nigerian family to make a life-changing move to Saudi Arabia. We'll delve into the initial expectations they had before relocating and discover how these expectations evolved over time. Gain insights into the personal stories that shaped their decision to immigrate and how their reality in Saudi Arabia compares to their preconceived notions. This candid conversation reveals the challenges and triumphs faced by immigrant families, shedding light on the transformative power of such journeys. Subscribe to our podcast today: Conversations from the Diaspora, a Building Africa's Future podcast. #bafconversationspodcast #culturalheritage #africandiaspora —— Links: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/buildingafricasfuture ⁠⁠ Website: ⁠https://buildingafricasfuture.godaddysites.com/⁠ Donations: ⁠⁠https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bldgafricasfuture ⁠⁠ Your support means everything: ⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/support⁠ BAF Convos Merch: ⁠⁠https://www.bonfire.com/happybirthdaynki30/ #BAFConversationsPodcast --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/support

Brace yourself for an eye-opening discussion with our distinguished guest, Dr. Meg Awunti, as she talks about how her Cameroonian-American upbringing serves as a driving force behind her fervent advocacy for life insurance, a topic often relegated to the shadows within the African diaspora. She uncovers the invaluable role life insurance plays in crafting a secure financial future, especially for immigrants and their families, and shares poignant personal stories that underscore the pivotal role life insurance plays in achieving unwavering financial stability during life's most trying moments. Explore the broader tapestry of financial strategy, including the path to building wealth and attaining the cherished goal of financial freedom. Link to the YouTube video playlist: https://bit.ly/48Fkgi7 —— Links: ⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/buildingafricasfuture⁠ ⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠https://buildingafricasfuture.godaddysites.com/⁠ ⁠ Donations: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bldgafricasfuture⁠ ⁠⁠ Your support means everything: ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/support⁠ ⁠ BAF Convos Merch: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.bonfire.com/happybirthdaynki30/⁠ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/support

Join us on an inspiring episode as Sussan Ituen, founder of The Marinade Hub Fertility Foundation, shares her personal journey through infertility, leading to the creation of a transformative support network. Learn about the pivotal turning point that shifted her blog series into a foundation, offering insights into the sociological nuances of infertility within the African context. Discover how the foundation tackles cultural stigma, fostering open conversations about fertility struggles within the African diaspora. Hear heartwarming success stories that reflect the emotional and psychological transformations the community undergoes. Tune in for an impactful episode that underscores the power of community, resilience, and empowerment. Link to the YouTube video playlist: https://bit.ly/45Qs8uV For more information, visit: ⁠⁠https://marinadehub.org/⁠⁠. To financially support The Marinade Hub Fertility Foundation, donations can be made via PayPal: sussan.ini.ituen@gmail.com. Those in Nigeria can also make donations to the following account: Acct No: 1220537790. Acct Name: The Marinade Hub Fertility Foundation. Zenith Bank. —— Links: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/buildingafricasfuture ⁠⁠ Website: ⁠https://buildingafricasfuture.godaddysites.com/⁠ Donations: ⁠⁠https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bldgafricasfuture ⁠⁠ Your support means everything: ⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/support⁠ BAF Convos Merch: ⁠⁠https://www.bonfire.com/happybirthdaynki30/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/support

Join us on an inspiring episode as Sussan Ituen, founder of The Marinade Hub Fertility Foundation, shares her personal journey through infertility, leading to the creation of a transformative support network. Learn about the pivotal turning point that shifted her blog series into a foundation, offering insights into the sociological nuances of infertility within the African context. Discover how the foundation tackles cultural stigma, fostering open conversations about fertility struggles within the African diaspora. Hear heartwarming success stories that reflect the emotional and psychological transformations the community undergoes. Tune in for an impactful episode that underscores the power of community, resilience, and empowerment. Link to the YouTube video playlist: ⁠https://bit.ly/45Qs8uV⁠ For more information, visit: ⁠⁠https://marinadehub.org/⁠⁠. To financially support The Marinade Hub Fertility Foundation, donations can be made via PayPal: sussan.ini.ituen@gmail.com. Those in Nigeria can also make donations to the following account: Acct No: 1220537790. Acct Name: The Marinade Hub Fertility Foundation. Zenith Bank. —— Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/buildingafricasfuture ⁠ Website: https://buildingafricasfuture.godaddysites.com/ Donations: ⁠https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bldgafricasfuture ⁠ Your support means everything: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/support BAF Convos Merch: ⁠https://www.bonfire.com/happybirthdaynki30/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/support

In this episode, Kweku Essien, Chief Commercial Officer of Seso Global, joins us to explore the world of property ownership in Africa and the impact of the Year of the Return on the African diaspora, particularly African-Americans seeking to relocate to Ghana and other African countries. We dive into the challenges of establishing trust when doing business on the continent and the crucial role of the remittance economy from the diaspora. Essien shares his powerful insights on finding internal solutions to African problems and why he believes investing in real estate can bring about long-term prosperity for the continent. Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation on the future of the African diaspora and the transformative power of real estate. Tune in now to discover how you can secure your property in Africa! For more information, visit: https://app.seso.global/properties/home.  —— Links: https://linktr.ee/buildingafricasfuture  Website: https://buildingafricasfuture.today  Donations: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bldgafricasfuture  Your support means everything: https://anchor.fm/bldgafricasfuture/support  Purchase merch!: https://www.bonfire.com/happybirthdaynki30/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/support

In this virtual panel discussion, we talked about a number of things we felt we didn’t have growing up such as the lack of open communication with our parents, assuming parental responsibilities as children, and the lack of affection. We discussed how these things have impacted us as adults and as parents and how we plan on being more intentional in our own parenting. Links: https://linktr.ee/buildingafricasfuture YouTube: BAF - Conversations from the Diaspora Website: https://buildingafricasfuture.today Donations: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bldgafricasfuture Your support means everything: https://anchor.fm/bldgafricasfuture/support — **Join us as we nurture the culture to thrive. Follow our business partner, Afrimerican Cultural Initiative: https://linktr.ee/afrimericanone **   **Join the #livesinmechallenge: https://bit.ly/33P7gKe ** --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/support

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Jite Lark, the founder of Change4Africa Superfoods and the Embody Program that she started at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. We discuss the importance of natural medicine, nutritional balance, and physical wellness and how continental Africans and those in the diaspora can tap into these holistic health practices. Her organization, C4A, works directly with African women farmers to increase their opportunities to benefit from agricultural value chains. To support her work, visit her website: https://change4africa.net/. In addition to her passion projects, she has 16+ years of experience teaching culturally relevant pedagogy in K-12 STEM education.  ——  Links: https://linktr.ee/buildingafricasfuture  Website: https://buildingafricasfuture.today  Donations: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bldgafricasfuture  Your support means everything: https://anchor.fm/bldgafricasfuture/support  Purchase merch!: https://www.bonfire.com/happybirthdaynki30/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/support

I'm joined by Doria Wormbly as she discusses her experiences being the only Black student in her study abroad group and the challenges that she faced as a result of that. She is committed to shining light on the importance of diversifying international education programs on the student side as well as in program leadership and she discusses different ways that this could be done starting with providing additional funding and other resources to traditionally underrepresented students of color to prepare them before and during their study abroad travels.  To attend her free webinars on grant writing, please email The Sailor Justice Project (sailorjusticeproject@gmail.com) for more information.  --- Links: https://linktr.ee/buildingafricasfuture Website: https://buildingafricasfuture.today Donations: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bldgafricasfuture Your support means everything: https://anchor.fm/bldgafricasfuture/support Purchase merch!: https://www.bonfire.com/happybirthdaynki30/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/support

I'm joined by a dear friend and sister, Omba Tejan-Thomas, whom I have known for 20 years or so as we attended the same church when we first came to the country as young children. She talks about her experience coming to the U.S. at the age of 8 from the Democratic Republic of Congo and how her family had to assimilate to a new culture, leading to culture loss and feelings of identity crisis, being classified as a refugee, as well as other challenges related to navigating the immigrant experience. After discovering that she was a DACA student before graduating from high school along with the fear of deportation looming over her head, she had to postpone her education and focus on family. In May 2022, Omba completed her Masters in Health Administration and after 32 years of being in the States, she now has her permanent residency. She discusses how her faith in God helped her throughout her journey as well as key organizations in the Charlotte area that supported her in the immigration process. She concludes by sharing what she's learned about herself throughout this journey and her confidence in who she is today.  To follow her Healthcare Executive Future Leader internship series, connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omba-marilyn-tejan-thomas. --- Links: https://linktr.ee/buildingafricasfuture Website: https://buildingafricasfuture.today Donations: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bldgafricasfuture Your support means everything: https://anchor.fm/bldgafricasfuture/support Purchase merch!: https://www.bonfire.com/happybirthdaynki30/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/support

I'm joined by Sharif Muhammad who talks about his 20+ year commitment to detailing the black American experience through his digital artwork and teaching. He shares how growing up he couldn't connect in a meaningful way in most of his history classes because the history wasn't reflective of his family experience.  He discusses the types of stories he tells with his art, what he learned about himself and his creative process during the pandemic, and why he creates art with his children in mind and the type of future he envisions for them. His desire to make his art more accessible and affordable to reach more people within his community led to him creating the Black Cards which can be purchased on his website along with his other works: https://www.sharifmuhammad.com/home.   --- Links: https://linktr.ee/buildingafricasfuture Website: https://buildingafricasfuture.today Donations: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bldgafricasfuture Your support means everything: https://anchor.fm/bldgafricasfuture/support --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/support

I’m joined by Chukwunonso of Chukwunonso Captures as he discusses how he uses his photography to share his culture with others in the diaspora. This quest led to him starting the ‘Igbo Name of the Day’ series. We discussed Igbo naming traditions, navigating multiple cultural identities, the importance of language preservation, and how he intersects his culture into his photography.  Watch the full video playlist here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzdAw8f7EUlHFHyjohZYl1AZDfENkHh-_ ---  Links: https://linktr.ee/buildingafricasfuture Website: https://buildingafricasfuture.today Donations: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bldgafricasfuture Your support means everything: https://anchor.fm/bldgafricasfuture/support --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/support

TW: baby loss, pregnancy loss After nearly 7 years of marriage and 11 pregnancies, I'm joined by Mercy Akinwande as she shares her struggles with infertility on the journey to motherhood. In honor of May being mental health awareness month, one of the reasons why we had this conversation was to try to eliminate or reduce stigmas associated with sharing about difficulties conceiving, going through pregnancy loss, and postpartum depression in our community through open conversations about each individual's personal challenges and how to overcome them. She also spoke on the importance of speaking up for yourself, being knowledgable about your rights as a patient, asking questions to your healthcare provider team, and other lessons learned through her experience. - Links: https://linktr.ee/buildingafricasfuture Website: https://buildingafricasfuture.today Donations: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bldgafricasfuture Your support means everything: https://anchor.fm/bldgafricasfuture/support --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/support

TW: baby loss, pregnancy loss After nearly 7 years of marriage and 11 pregnancies, I'm joined by Mercy Akinwande as she shares her struggles with infertility on the journey to motherhood. In honor of May being mental health awareness month, one of the reasons why we had this conversation was to try to eliminate or reduce stigmas associated with sharing about difficulties conceiving, going through pregnancy loss, and postpartum depression in our community through open conversations about each individual's personal challenges and how to overcome them. She also spoke on the importance of speaking up for yourself, being knowledgable about your rights as a patient, asking questions to your healthcare provider team, and other lessons learned through her experience. Stay tuned for part two of this recording.  - Links: https://linktr.ee/buildingafricasfuture Website: https://buildingafricasfuture.today Donations: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bldgafricasfuture Your support means everything: https://anchor.fm/bldgafricasfuture/support --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/support

In this continuation of our Black in White Spaces series: HBCU v. PWI discussion, our panelists who are adult students at the university and graduate level as well as working professionals share their different experiences at HBCUs and PWIs. Some of the topics discussed were:  what supports would help black and other students of color thrive at PWIs cultural advantages of being the majority at an HBCU where they don't have to navigate spaces where they are the minority uncomfortable moments where their self-awareness of their racial and cultural identities was heightened within their PWI spaces feeling like they have to be the cultural ambassadors at their PWIs, and many other topics.  Full video playlist here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzdAw8f7EUlEYbpMiLYg__QaljnxNF_BR - Our 2021 LivesInMe African Ancestry DNA test winner had her results announced! Stay tuned for our upcoming programming through the Afrimerican Academy. Join us as we nurture the culture to thrive.  **Follow our business partner, Afrimerican Cultural Initiative: https://linktr.ee/afrimericanone ** **Join the #livesinmechallenge: https://bit.ly/33P7gKe ** - The Black Faces in White Spaces is an interactive restorative conversation launched during Black History Month (2022) when the Afrimerican Academy junior leadership high school interns set us on track to further develop the conversation on Black student experiences at HBCUs & PWIs. The 'Circle Series' is a collaborative & restorative effort to raise awareness & funds for the socio-emotional well-being of our multicultural STEAM students through circle discussions! BECOME A PANELIST: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JNLFSSK --- Links: https://linktr.ee/buildingafricasfuture Website: https://buildingafricasfuture.today Donations: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bldgafricasfuture Your support means everything: https://anchor.fm/bldgafricasfuture/support --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/support

In this continuation of our Black in White Spaces series: HBCU v. PWI discussion, our panelists who are adult students at the university and graduate level as well as working professionals share their different experiences at HBCUs and PWIs. Some of the topics discussed were: what supports would help black and other students of color thrive at PWIs cultural advantages of being the majority at an HBCU where they don't have to navigate spaces where they are the minority uncomfortable moments where their self-awareness of their racial and cultural identities was heightened within their PWI spaces feeling like they have to be the cultural ambassadors at their PWIs, and many other topics. Full video playlist here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzdAw8f7EUlEYbpMiLYg__QaljnxNF_BR - Our 2021 LivesInMe African Ancestry DNA test winner had her results announced! Stay tuned for our upcoming programming through the Afrimerican Academy. Join us as we nurture the culture to thrive. **Follow our business partner, Afrimerican Cultural Initiative: https://linktr.ee/afrimericanone ** **Join the #livesinmechallenge: https://bit.ly/33P7gKe ** - The Black Faces in White Spaces is an interactive restorative conversation launched during Black History Month (2022) when the Afrimerican Academy junior leadership high school interns set us on track to further develop the conversation on Black student experiences at HBCUs & PWIs. The 'Circle Series' is a collaborative & restorative effort to raise awareness & funds for the socio-emotional well-being of our multicultural STEAM students through circle discussions! BECOME A PANELIST: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JNLFSSK --- Links: https://linktr.ee/buildingafricasfuture Website: https://buildingafricasfuture.today Donations: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bldgafricasfuture Your support means everything: https://anchor.fm/bldgafricasfuture/support --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/support

In this episode, I'm joined by New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller, Uwem Akpan, as we discuss his book, New York: My Village. We discussed a number of topics, including:  how to sustain your own culture in new cultural environments;  the role of media in influencing and perpetuating hate and misunderstanding;  ways that we can fill the gaps to building bridges of understanding in the diaspora; and how the main character in his novel navigated the experience of being a minority among minorities in both the U.S. and his home country of Nigeria.  To learn more about the author, please visit his website here. -- Links: https://linktr.ee/buildingafricasfuture YouTube: BAF - Conversations from the Diaspora Website: https://buildingafricasfuture.today Donations: www.paypal.com/paypalme/bldgafricasfuture Your support means everything: https://anchor.fm/bldgafricasfuture/support                                                                  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/support

To close out Black History Month, we hosted a live panel discussion with the Afrimerican Academy High School youth where they discussed their experiences as black students in predominantly white institutions in the Greater Boston area. This restorative conversation was on the plight of today's black students that carry on the legacy of Ruby Bridges. How far have we really come since November 14th, 1960 - a little less than 62 years ago? Watch the YouTube video clips here to see the highlights: https://bit.ly/3q5g5Y7 --  Links: https://linktr.ee/buildingafricasfuture  YouTube: BAF - Conversations from the Diaspora  Website: https://buildingafricasfuture.today  Donations: www.paypal.com/paypalme/bldgafricasfuture    Your support means everything: https://anchor.fm/bldgafricasfuture/support **Follow our business partner, Afrimerican Cultural Initiative: https://linktr.ee/afrimericanone**  **Join the #livesinmechallenge: https://bit.ly/33P7gKe** --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/support

To close out Black History Month, we hosted a live panel discussion with the Afrimerican Academy High School youth where they discussed their experiences as black students in predominantly white institutions in the Greater Boston area. This restorative conversation was on the plight of today's black students that carry on the legacy of Ruby Bridges. How far have we really come since November 14th, 1960 - a little less than 62 years ago? Watch the YouTube video clips here to see the highlights: https://bit.ly/3q5g5Y7 -- Links: https://linktr.ee/buildingafricasfuture YouTube: BAF - Conversations from the Diaspora Website: https://buildingafricasfuture.today Donations: www.paypal.com/paypalme/bldgafricasfuture Your support means everything: https://anchor.fm/bldgafricasfuture/support **Follow our business partner, Afrimerican Cultural Initiative: https://linktr.ee/afrimericanone** **Join the #livesinmechallenge: https://bit.ly/33P7gKe** --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/support

In this episode, I'm joined by Marlon Solomon, founder and president of the Afrimerican Cultural Initiative. He shares how his Nigerian and African-American upbringing led him to create an organization focused on building bridges of cultural understanding in the African diaspora through education, technology, and travel. He speaks on some of the challenges facing communities of color in the Boston, Massachusetts area, how the #livesinmechallenge has impacted the lives of the African ancestry DNA test winners, and shares excitement on our upcoming collaborative event - Black Faces, White Spaces: The Black Student Experience at PWIs.  To sign up to be a panelist: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JNLFSSK. Consider donating to the Motherland Travel Fund: https://bit.ly/3rUkMp8.  Donations: www.paypal.me/bldgafricasfuture  Your support means everything: https://anchor.fm/bldgafricasfuture/support Website: www.buildingafricasfuture.today --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/support

In our recent Circle Series live stream event for #MLKDay2022, our panelists discuss the legacies of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. In these times of declining rights for black people and people of color in America, which leader's philosophy do we follow on the 'road to the mountaintop’ of cultural equity, inclusion, & healing? In part I of this bonus episode, the panelists answer the questions of (1) which leader do they identify most with and why, and (2) what Malcolm X would say about black economics today. 'The Circle Series' is a restorative podcast series in partnership with Afrimerican Cultural Initiative where we will be exploring many different cultural topics of interest that will build community between African-Americans and African Immigrants in the USA. ** **Join the #livesinmechallenge: https://bit.ly/33P7gKe ** --- Links: https://linktr.ee/buildingafricasfuture Website: www.buildingafricasfuture.today Watch clips from live stream: https://bit.ly/3royP5M Donations: www.paypal.me/bldgafricasfuture  Your support means everything: https://anchor.fm/bldgafricasfuture/support Connect w/ Afrimerican Cultural Initiative: @afrimericanone | Linktree --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bldgafricasfuture/support