Dear Diaspora

I was joined by Yeve Sibanda, attorney, public speaker, and author of My First Book of Shona and Ndebele Words. Yeve is a native Zimbabwean who calls the United States her adopted home. Although she wasn’t allowed to speak her indigenous languages at school in Zimbabwe — the unfortunate legacy of colonization — she’s always found ways to embrace her culture and heritage. Tune in for tips on learning, teaching and celebrating African languages, especially when based in the Diaspora! Buy My First Book of Shona and Ndebele Words: https://www.amazon.com/First-Book-Shona-Ndebele-Words/dp/1645438112/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=my+first+book+of+shona+and+ndebele+words&qid=1638159465&sr=8-2  More about Philisa Creatives: https://www.philisacreatives.com/ 

For this week’s episode, I was joined by the lovely Mutale Sitali, founder of Likota — a Zambian furniture brand specializing in making furniture from reclaimed and recycled wood material. Their vision? Becoming a pioneer for the industry by creating furniture that is beautiful, eco-friendly, and reliable. Mutale built her company from the ground up and launched right before the onset of the pandemic. Tune in to hear her take on what’s necessary to build a thriving business in Zambia, why she chose to prioritize sustainability — plus her advice for folks in the Diaspora interested in doing business in Africa. Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/deardiaspora  Follow Likota on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/likotaa  Likota Furniture on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/likotaa/  Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deardiaspora/  Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/deardiasporapod  Subscribe to our newsletter: https://deardiasporashow.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=216e36162217911ac352ecc1b&id=d3e544b60e

Afrobeats is undoubtedly one of the hottest music genres right now! This week's episode explores just how Afrobeats and other African music genres are cementing their place on the world stage. Hint: The Nigerian and larger African Diaspora have played a HUGE role. DJ, Creative Entrepreneur and Afrolit Podcast host Ekua Musumba was my lovely guest co-host - enjoy! Links:  We’ll be chatting about destigmatizing mental health this season! Ask an anonymous mental health question here: https://www.questionwave.com/q/12109  Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/deardiaspora  Follow Afrolit: https://www.instagram.com/afrolitpodcast/  Listen to Afrolit: https://linktr.ee/itsafrolitpodcast  Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deardiaspora/  Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/deardiasporapod  Subscribe to our newsletter: https://deardiasporashow.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=216e36162217911ac352ecc1b&id=d3e544b60e

This week's episode explores the question: Why hasn’t Africa "developed" as fast as other continents? As you can imagine, this is a HUGE, nuanced question. Nevertheless, Joy Malonza (founder of The Down Ballot) and I tackled the question head-on, with zero filter* Tune in to hear about: Africa's patterns of development before the transatlantic slave trade and colonization The legacy of colonization in Africa How institutions like The Wold Bank and IMF have impacted Africa's development Why capitalism doesn't work in Africa (and why rich Africans are not our friends) Why socialism may/may not be the answer  *views/opinions expressed in this episode are my own and do not represent any organization other I am affiliated with! Links/resources: Ask us a question: https://www.questionwave.com/q/11895  Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/deardiaspora  Africa before Transatlantic Slave trade:  https://www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk/article/section/history-of-slavery/africa-before-transatlantic-enslavement/  The Guardian article by Eliza Anywangwe titled, "why is Africa so poor": https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jun/28/why-africa-so-poor-google The Guardian article by Kingsley Chiedu Moghalu titled "Why has Africa fallen behind the rest of the world'd economies?": https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/aug/04/africa-fallen-behind-economies-science-technology   Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deardiaspora/  Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/deardiasporapod  Join our mailing list.

Dear Diaspora is officially back – welcome to season 4 of the show! Let's just say a LOT has happened since the last episode! First, my short visit to visit family in Zambia turned into an extended, four-month stay. I also started a pretty cool fellowship with Princeton in Africa in July.  Tune in to catch up and hear what you can expect from this season and some tea on the best and worst moments of my time in Zambia.  BEST: My grandma's fantastic dating advice   Experiencing Zambia's nightlife WORST:  Getting scammed when working on a project  Having to comb out my locs when applying for a Zambian ID Links: Ask an anonymous question: https://www.questionwave.com/q/11895  Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/deardiaspora  Medium blog on Zambia's historic elections: https://medium.com/emerging-public-leaders/reflections-on-zambias-historic-elections-8c5c945869d3  Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deardiaspora/  Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/deardiasporapod  Join our mailing list.

Today’s guest is Lee Ngwenya–writer, documentary filmmaker and host of Conversations with Leelabee, a podcast covering topics ranging from entrepreneurship to mental health. Lee was born in Zimbabwe but raised in Zambia, and knew early on that a traditional career path wasn’t for her. She attended school in North Carolina for social work but quickly realized that film was her passion. Capetown, South Africa had the exact program she was looking for and her training there has landed her work in South Africa, Kenya and Zambia. Tune in to hear more about: What her 2020 was like How she’s navigating Zambia’s creative scene The two sides of Capetown people aren’t really talking about Upcoming African creative projects you should know about Which Conversations with Leelabee episode to listen to first & more! Resources mentioned: Listen to Conversations with Leelabee: https://linktr.ee/leelabee Learn about Amooye: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6g0opGfQ3vU Subscribe to Dear Diaspora’s monthly newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gZpu79 Become a patron and support the show: patreon.com/deardiaspora Dear Diaspora Twitter: https://twitter.com/deardiasporapod Dear Diaspora Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deardiaspora/

For today’s episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with brother/sister duo Akinade Adelere and Oyin Aderele—hosts of Pod Save Africa. Pod Save Africa explores the interesting details of our history, our present and our hopes for the future through weekly podcast episodes. During our conversation, Akinade and Oyin share: How conversations and debates in his apartment with friends led Akinyade to launch Pod Save Africa Their initial reactions to the #EndSARS protests and why this latest round of protests was more effective What—if anything—the #EndSARS protests learned from the Black Lives Matter movement What role the Diaspora (and celebrities) plays during times like these How they stay hopeful and encouraged while covering heavy topics Resources mentioned: Learn more about Pod Save Africa: https://www.saveafricapod.com More on the #EndSars Movement: https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/25/africa/nigeria-end-sars-protests-analysis-intl/index.html Subscribe to Dear Diaspora’s monthly newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gZpu79 Become a patron and support the show: patreon.com/deardiaspora Dear Diaspora Twitter: https://twitter.com/deardiasporapod Dear Diaspora Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deardiaspora/ Dear Diaspora FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/deardiaspora

If you’re a student and looking for ways to engage with the continent in an impactful way, this is the episode for you! I had a great conversation with Doing Good Work in Africa (DOWA) Founder Ola Erogbogbo DOWA Fellow Adaeze Okorie. Doing Good Work in Africa connects brilliant and innovative university students to Africa-based companies, public entities and non-profit organizations working to address challenges at the grassroots level by implementing impactful and scalable initiatives. Tune in to hear Ola and Adaeze share: What about doing business in Nigeria led Ola to launch DOWA How you can land an internship with one of their program partners How the program benefits the Africa-based companies and non-profits that sign up What exactly about young people excites them about Africa’s future Resources mentioned: More About DOWA: https://www.dowafrica.org Use discount code “DearDiaspora” to join me and Certified Africa in Ghana this December: https://deardiasporashow.com/ghana2020/ Subscribe to Dear Diaspora’s monthly newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gZpu79 Become a patron and support the show: patreon.com/deardiaspora Dear Diaspora Twitter: https://twitter.com/deardiasporapod Dear Diaspora Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deardiaspora/ Dear Diaspora FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/deardiaspora

This is Dear Diaspora’s 50th episode! The podcast launched September 2019 and since then, I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing amazing guests from all over the world. To celebrate this milestone, I’m taking some time to reflect on a few things: The Biden-Harris win and what I’m hoping to see these next four years The biggest takeaways from past interviews and what they’ve taught me about Africa, the Diaspora and what role we actually play in contributing to Africa’s growth and development The 3 biggest lessons I’ve learned this past year Consistency is key You don’t need to ask for permission to follow your dreams There are no failures in life, only lessons to be learned Thanks for tuning in! Resources mentioned: Use discount code “DearDiaspora” to join me and Certified Africa in Ghana this December: https://deardiasporashow.com/ghana2020/ Subscribe to Dear Diaspora’s monthly newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gZpu79 Become a patron and support the show: patreon.com/deardiaspora Dear Diaspora Twitter: https://twitter.com/deardiasporapod Dear Diaspora Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deardiaspora/ Dear Diaspora FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/deardiaspora

For today’s episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Sam Baddoo, Founder of Fleri—a health insurance marketplace that helps immigrants protect the people they love, everywhere. Every year, immigrants across the globe send billions of dollars in remittances to their loved ones in lower-income and middle-income countries. What’s unique about Fleri is that it "unbundles" remittances by providing immigrants a direct way to provide quality healthcare to their loved ones back home. During the episode, Sam and I discuss: His upbringing in Ghana and experience studying in Morocco  The African immigrant experience and how he found his footing after emigrating from Ghana How remittance payments transform African economies How Fleri will work to reduce the burden of out of pocket healthcare costs Africa’s healthcare landscape and which countries are getting it right What healthcare in Africa could look like in the next 10 years “We have the power. We just have to figure out how to use it.” – Sam Baddoo Resources mentioned: Join Fleri: https://joinfleri.com Use discount code “DearDiaspora” to join me and Certified Africa in Ghana this December: https://deardiasporashow.com/ghana2020/ Subscribe to Dear Diaspora’s newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gZpu79 Dear Diaspora Twitter: https://twitter.com/deardiasporapod Dear Diaspora Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deardiaspora/ Dear Diaspora FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/deardiaspora

For the first part of today’s episode, I share my thoughts on Nigeria’s #EndSARS movement, similar movements across the continent and what us folks in the Diaspora can do to amplify the work of organizers on the ground. My guest today is serial entrepreneur, startup advisor and Founders Unfound creator Dan Kihanya. Dan grew up in Boston, Massachusetts with a Kenyan father and American mother. After studying mechanical engineering and getting an MBA from UC Berkeley, he ventured into entrepreneurship and has served as a co-founder, early executive, investor, and advisor. He’s the head of marketing and strategy at Wizely and is the creator of Founders Unfound, a media project created to tell the stories of exceptional entrepreneurs and tech founders from underrepresented backgrounds – starting with founders of African descent. During the episode, we discuss: His upbringing in Boston and navigating his Kenyan-American heritage Some of the biggest mistakes early entrepreneurs make and how to start a business in this current environment What he learned about building a product specifically for an emerging market Why he built Founders Unfound and why he’s “bullish” on the African continent “There’s an inherent hustle factor—which is ideal for entrepreneurship. There isn’t a [traditional] corporate track for young people, so by definition, young people will take their own mantle and start businesses. I’m bullish on Africa in general.” - Dan Kihanya Resources mentioned: Subscribe to Founders Unfound: https://podnews.net/podcast/1462390038/no  Learn more about the movement to end SARS. More about similar movements across the continent. Use discount code “DearDiaspora” to join me and Certified Africa in Ghana this December: https://deardiasporashow.com/ghana2020/ Subscribe to Dear Diaspora’s newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gZpu79 Dear Diaspora Twitter: https://twitter.com/deardiasporapod Dear Diaspora Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deardiaspora/ Dear Diaspora FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/deardiaspora

If you're anything like me, you've probably been thinking of various ways you can supplement your income - especially considering how the pandemic has impacted so many of our lives this past year. If so, then you’ll love today’s episode with Teri Ijeoma, Founder and CEO of Invest with Teri! Teri teaches you how to supplement your daily, weekly or monthly income with trading so that you can live your best life. During the episode, we discuss: Her upbringing in Dallas, TX and college experience at MIT Her switch from being an educator to trading stocks and traveling full-time How you can learn how to trade, pick the right companies and make consistent gains Her advice for young people interested in investing but aren’t sure where to start Details about her Trade and Travel program What being a part of the African Diaspora means to her Resources: Learn how to trade and travel: https://itradeandtravel.lpages.co/1000aday/ Use discount code “DearDiaspora” to join me and Certified Africa in Ghana this December: https://deardiasporashow.com/ghana2020/ Subscribe to Dear Diaspora’s newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gZpu79 Dear Diaspora Twitter: https://twitter.com/deardiasporapod Dear Diaspora Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deardiaspora/ Dear Diaspora FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/deardiaspora

For today’s episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Emmanuel Gamor, host of Unpacking Africa - a podcast sharing resources while exploring ecosystems in our communities and figuring out issues pertaining to the African continent.  With over a decade of experience in youth engagement, digital & managerial innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership education on the continent—Emmanuel is a true ecosystem builder. During the episode, we discuss: His experience studying in the US and returning to Ghana after college How he created his own opportunities back home and landed roles at Google, YouTube and Impact Hub Ghana’s entrepreneurship ecosystem – what’s working and what isn’t Decreasing Africa’s youth unemployment rate Bridging the gap between the diaspora and the African continent  What excites him about Africa’s future Resources: Listen to Unpacking Africa: https://anchor.fm/4irafrica Become a Patreon & support the show: https://www.patreon.com/deardiaspora Join me and Certified Africa in Ghana now: https://deardiasporashow.com/ghana2020/ Subscribe to Dear Diaspora’s newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gZpu79 Dear Diaspora Twitter: https://twitter.com/deardiasporapod Dear Diaspora Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deardiaspora/ Dear Diaspora FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/deardiaspora “Folks of other races have found so much solace in home that they’ve come here and tried to own parts of Africa that are not even theirs. There’s no other place in the world that’s allowed it happen so blatantly than the African continent.” - Emmanuel Gamor

For today's episode, we catch up with Iveoma Okparaeke, founder of It's Iveoma, a platform created for anyone interested in moving to a country in Africa. She officially moved to Lagos, Nigeria in December 2019 and has not looked back! During the episode, Iveoma speaks pretty candidly about her experiences so far in Lagos. Tune in to hear: Why she decided to move back to Nigeria and what she realized when she made the move How she prepared and saved for her move Why you NEED an SUV to survive in Nigeria How she’s navigating dating as a returnee How much you need to make monthly live comfortably in Lagos Her advice to millennials in the Diaspora thinking about returning to their home countries Resources: Learn more about Iveoma: https://www.youtube.com/c/ItsIveoma/videos Become a Patreon & support the show: https://www.patreon.com/deardiaspora Join me and Certified Africa in Ghana now: https://deardiasporashow.com/ghana2020/ Subscribe to Dear Diaspora’s newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gZpu79 Dear Diaspora Twitter: https://twitter.com/deardiasporapod Dear Diaspora Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deardiaspora/ Dear Diaspora FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/deardiaspora

For today’s episode, I reshare an episode that provides a comprehensive overview of 5 key growth trends shaping Africa’s growth and development. These trends are outlined in the book  Africa’s Business Revolution: How to Succeed in the World’s Next Big Growth Market by authors Acha Leke, Mutsa Chironga and Georges Desvaux. Tune in for a refresher on these trends and how they will impact business in Africa for decades to come: Young, fast growing urban population with a lot of unmet demands. Africa’s coming industrial revolution. Africa’s Infrastructure Gap and the big push to close it Africa’s Untapped Resource wealth and new innovations to unleash it. The rapid adoption of digital and mobile – and the leapfrog opportunity. Resources: Get the book here: https://amzn.to/37r4rLK Become a Patreon & support the show: https://www.patreon.com/deardiaspora Join me and Certified Africa in Ghana now: https://deardiasporashow.com/ghana2020/ Subscribe to Dear Diaspora’s newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gZpu79 Dear Diaspora Twitter: https://twitter.com/deardiasporapod Dear Diaspora Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deardiaspora/ Dear Diaspora FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/deardiaspora