The Knowledge with David Elikwu

David speaks with JJ Bola, a published poet and author, on how he went from being a good writer to a published author, as well as his experiences grappling with a multinational identity, his views on social justice and masculinity within the black community and how all of these topics influence him to write.This is the first episode of a 2-part series!JJ Bola is a Congo-borne accomplished poet and author, having released 3 poetry collections (Elevate, Daughter of the Sun, and WORD) and 2 novels (No Place to Call Home, Mask Off) in the last 5 years. His latest novel, The Selfless Act of Breathing (2021), tackling themes such as mental health, police brutality, and the power of love, is out later this year!Connect with JJ Bola:Twitter/Instagram:@JJ_BolaJjbola.comShow notes:JJ Bola discusses his career progressions as a writer and poetThe importance of consistency in writingStructuring hobbies outside a 9-to-5The influence of environment and identity in writingThe levels of identity in first and second-generation immigrant children, and its impacts on personal philosophy and allegianceImpacts of foreign political struggles on identity, and the importance of empathy amidst confusionThe hierarchy of the black community in British societySocial justice and how it affects communitiesThe sexualisation of successful black men, and how it affects masculinityReclamation of identity and humanity (reclaiming the N-word, buying back land) Archetype personalities and black masculine stereotypesImpacts of materialism and capitalism on black stereotypesAbout David:David Elikwu FRSA is a serial-entrepreneur, operator and strategist who traded corporate law for tech. He now helps startups to scale. David previously founded Baba’s Flight Club, and is currently building Democratic Republic, a sustainable coffee and wine company. David writes weekly about learning more and living better in The Knowledge newsletter, and speaks regularly on The Knowledge podcast, Travel n Turn up podcast, and The Knowledge: Office Hours.Twitter: @Delikwu / @DemRepWorldWebsite: davidelikwu.com, demrepcoffee.comNewsletter: theknowledge.substack.comPodcast: gopod.me/theknowledge, travelandturnup.comThe Knowledge:Welcome to The Knowledge, hosted by David Elikwu. David is on a journey of learning more and living better and sharing everything he discovers along the way. As a writer, tinkerer, and serial entrepreneur, David unpacks wisdom from elite performers and everyday people, highlighting everything you need to know to navigate the world around you.Newsletter: theknowledge.substack.comPodcast: gopod.me/theknowledge Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-knowledge-with-david-elikwu/donations

The pandemic has unearthed uncomfortable conversations on privilege and its impact on different social groups in uncertain times. However, the experience of privilege isn’t always a negative, but something which we should recognise and have more honest conversations about going forward.// You'll find the show notes/newsletter edition of this episode here: http://bit.ly/tkissue26Introduction: the future of learning, the privilege paradox [0:15]Thoughts on how the pandemic disrupts theoretical discussion (Case Studies: Universal Basic Income) [2:02]Case Study: Remote Working [3:55]Case Study: Remote Learning [5:10]The drawbacks of remote learning [7:00]Dispensing of grading and traditional assessments [10:55]The racial biases within the predicted grading system and the disadvantages to black students [12:03]The Birth Lottery: Fortune, Friction, Hope and Luck [15:23]Meritocracy has its merits [16:50]The lack of representation in privilege [18:40]The privilege of living in the modern age, and digital access [20:05]Natural Friction and Manufactured Friction [21:58]How benefit of the doubt is a misallocated resource [24:02]Varying degrees of friction and culture [25:00]The real issue with denying privilege exists [27:00]// If you liked this episode, check out my thought-provoking newsletter full of dry humour and useful resources at: www.theknowledge.substack.com.// Keep the conversation going on Twitter at @Delikwu using the hashtag #TheKnowledge Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-knowledge-with-david-elikwu/donations

David speaks with Joycelyn Mate, the co-founder of Afrocenchix. They talked about Joycelyn’s journey building an afro haircare brand, scaling it, and the challenges they faced fundraising as Black women founders.Joycelyn Mate is one of the amazing brains behind Afrocenchix, an overnight success ten year in the making. The unintentional business she started with her friend Rachael while at university became the first afro haircare brand to be stocked at Whole Foods UK, and the pair have already raised over half a million pounds in venture funding, including backing by WeWork/SoftBank.Connect with Joycelyn:Twitter:@joymatespeaks@Afrocenchixwww.afrocenchix.comShow notes - [Topics + timestamps]Early days of Afrocenchix [1:29]How Afrocenchix came about [4:17]Initial response to Afrocenchix [6:42]The journey to find product market fit [9:15]How the market reacted to Afrocenchix [11:58]How Afrocenchix formulated customer trust [16:12]Afrocenchix’s fundraising experiences [18:18] [20:46]What black and female founders actually need and bias in funding [21:49]Why capital is key [28:21]Trials and tribulations of creating a team [31:01]How you can use personality tests and types to foster greater teamwork [33:45]Joycelyn’s business role models [39:17]Joycelyn’s advice for business and life - the art of mastery [42:24]The iceberg analogy [46:50]Joycelyn’s advice for founders, VCs, and investors [48:30]About David:David Elikwu FRSA is a serial-entrepreneur, operator and strategist who traded corporate law for tech. He now helps startups to scale. David previously founded Baba’s Flight Club, and is currently building Democratic Republic, a sustainable coffee and wine company. David writes weekly about learning more and living better in The Knowledge newsletter, and speaks regularly on The Knowledge podcast, Travel n Turn up podcast, and The Knowledge: Office Hours.Twitter: @LegendofBaba / @DemRepWorldWebsite: davidelikwu.com, demrepcoffee.comNewsletter: theknowledge.substack.comPodcast: gopod.me/theknowledge, travelandturnup.comThe Knowledge:Welcome to The Knowledge, hosted by David Elikwu. David is on a journey of learning more and living better, and sharing everything he discovers along the way. As a writer, tinkerer, and serial entrepreneur, David unpacks wisdom from elite performers and everyday people, highlighting everything you need to know to navigate the world around you.Newsletter: theknowledge.substack.comPodcast: gopod.me/theknowledge Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-knowledge-with-david-elikwu/donations

The perfect, constant work/life balance probably doesn’t exist, but there are great frameworks you can use to find greater fulfilment in all areas of your life.// You'll find the show notes / newsletter edition of this episode here. // If you liked this episode, check out my thought-provoking newsletter full of dry humour and useful resources at: www.theknowledge.substack.com. // Keep the conversation going on Twitter at @Legendofbaba using the hashtag #TheKnowledge Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-knowledge-with-david-elikwu/donations

We can all agree that 2020 was awful, but I learnt a few things worth sharing and am making a lot of changes to how I approach life. // You'll find the show notes / newsletter edition of this episode here. // If you liked this episode, check out my thought-provoking newsletter full of dry humour and useful resources at: www.theknowledge.substack.com. // Keep the conversation going on Twitter at @Legendofbaba using the hashtag #TheKnowledge Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-knowledge-with-david-elikwu/donations

This week I'm joined by actress Merryl Ansah. She's sharing her journey as an actor from her first roles to playing Nala in The Lion King on the West End.// If you liked this episode, check out my thought-provoking newsletter full of dry humour and useful resources at: www.theknowledge.substack.com.// Keep the conversation going on Twitter at @Legendofbaba using the hashtag #TheKnowledge // You can find Merryl on social media at: @merrylansah. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-knowledge-with-david-elikwu/donations

This week I'm joined by baker and food stylist Benjamina Ebuehi. She's sharing everything she's been up to since making the quarter-finals of the Great British Bake-Off, including her amazing new cookbook: The New Way to Cake.// If you liked this episode, check out my thought-provoking newsletter full of dry humour and useful resources at: www.theknowledge.substack.com.// Keep the conversation going on Twitter at @Legendofbaba using the hashtag #TheKnowledge // You can find Benjamina on social media at: @bakedbybenji and @thesistertable. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-knowledge-with-david-elikwu/donations

This week I'm joined by environmental consultant Christiana Illiya, who is the founder of Hibby's drinks. She shared some of the lessons she's learnt building the brand, as well as the challenges she's facing now, dealing with the global pandemic.// If you liked this episode, check out my thought-provoking newsletter full of dry humour and useful resources at: www.theknowledge.substack.com.// Keep the conversation going on Twitter at @Legendofbaba using the hashtag #TheKnowledge // You can find Christiana on social media at: @hibbysdrinks_. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-knowledge-with-david-elikwu/donations

This week I'm joined by BBC journalist Hannah Ajala who's spent the last few months travelling throughout Africa, sharing the stories of people from around the diaspora who have moved back to live and work. She shared some of the lessons and stories she's gathered from her travels, as well as her experience now, dealing with a global pandemic while in Nigeria.// If you liked this episode, check out my thought-provoking newsletter full of dry humour and useful resources at: www.theknowledge.substack.com.// Keep the conversation going on Twitter at @Legendofbaba using the hashtag #TheKnowledge // You can find Hannah on social media at: @hannah_ajala. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-knowledge-with-david-elikwu/donations

This week I was joined by campaigner and activist Seyi Akiwowo. She is the founder and director of Glitch, a non-profit campaigning to end online abuse. We talked about the importance of therapy and community leadership, Seyi's political journey as Newham's youngest counsellor, and the responsibility of Big Tech in dealing with online abuse. This was such an important conversation to have, especially now that most of our lives have been migrated online. If you find our conversation useful please do share it with a friend! Glitch is running online workshops on digital self-care and you can sign up at: fixtheglitch.org. // If you liked this episode, check out my thought-provoking newsletter full of dry humour and useful resources at: www.theknowledge.substack.com.// Keep the conversation going on Twitter at @Legendofbaba using the hashtag #TheKnowledge // You can find Seyi on social media at: @seyiakiwowo. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-knowledge-with-david-elikwu/donations

This week I'm joined by investment-banker turned entrepreneur Ayotunde Rufai, the founder of luxury fashion platform Jendaya and Editor in Chief of ArtValue magazine. We talked about Jendaya's journey, the problems faced by e-commerce innovators in Africa, and the impact of streetwear in the world of luxury fashion.// If you liked this episode, check out my thought-provoking newsletter full of dry humour and useful resources at: www.theknowledge.substack.com.// Keep the conversation going on Twitter at @Legendofbaba using the hashtag #TheKnowledge // You can find Ayo on social media at: @ayotunde.rufai. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-knowledge-with-david-elikwu/donations

This week you can hear my pre-pandemic conversation with Richard Odufisan, a manager at Deloitte consulting. We lamented about our battles with mindless consumerism, fast fashion, charity, and wealth inequality.// If you liked this episode, check out my thought-provoking newsletter full of dry humour and useful resources at: www.theknowledge.substack.com.// Keep the conversation going on Twitter at @Legendofbaba using the hashtag #TheKnowledge // You can find Richard at @tftp_tunde and @plantationtales. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-knowledge-with-david-elikwu/donations

This week you'll hear my conversation with Ade Onibada, a journalist, news reporter and factual producer. We spoke about her journey into journalism and progression through the industry, and then on a macro level about the role of media in society, the widening gap between the right and the left, and the importance of maintaining journalistic integrity.// If you liked this episode, check out my thought-provoking newsletter full of dry humour and useful resources at: www.theknowledge.substack.com.// Keep the conversation going on Twitter at @Legendofbaba using the hashtag #TheKnowledge // You can find Ade at @SincerelyAde. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-knowledge-with-david-elikwu/donations

This week I sat down with Claud Williams, a serial entrepreneur and the founder of Dream Nation. Claud shared his journey so far as an entrepreneur, as well as his aspirations, and we had an engaged discussion touching on the entrepreneur's life cycle, passion vs purpose, mental health, values, vision and legacy. // If you liked this episode, check out my thought-provoking newsletter full of dry humour and useful resources at: www.theknowledge.substack.com. // Keep the conversation going on Twitter at @Legendofbaba using the hashtag #TheKnowledge // You can find Claud at @Claud_Williams and @DreamNationHQ. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-knowledge-with-david-elikwu/donations

This is a continuation of my conversation with Lawyer and Digital content creator Jasmine Boadi. This time we're chatting about faith, science, the law of attraction, personality tests, horoscopes and more! // If you liked this episode, check out my thought-provoking newsletter full of dry humour and useful resources at: www.theknowledge.substack.com. // Keep the conversation going on Twitter at @Legendofbaba using the hashtag #TheKnowledge // You can find Jasmine at @afiajasmine and @stylestatute. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-knowledge-with-david-elikwu/donations

I sat down with Lawyer and Digital content creator Jasmine Boadi to chat about our favourite conspiracies surrounding dairy, Big Pharma, fake food and Pseudo-veganism. // If you liked this episode, check out my thought-provoking newsletter full of dry humour and useful resources at: www.theknowledge.substack.com. // Keep the conversation going on Twitter at @Legendofbaba using the hashtag #TheKnowledge // You can find Jasmine at @Afiajasmine and @stylestatute. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-knowledge-with-david-elikwu/donations

Universal Basic Income is an idea that's been discussed by everyone from Martin Luther King to Milton Friedman, and it's been a topic of increasing interest following Andrew Yang's 2020 Election campaign. In this episode I discuss the pros and cons, and whether UBI may hold the key to solving our poverty problem. / If you liked this episode, David also writes an intellectually stimulating newsletter full of dry humour and useful resources at: www.theknowledge.substack.com / Keep the conversation going on Twitter at @Legendofbaba using the hashtag #TheKnowledge Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-knowledge-with-david-elikwu/donations

America's gun control problem is out of hand and only getting worse. Today we're taking a deep look at what's causing this issue, and what can be done to solve it. / If you liked this episode, David also writes an intellectually stimulating newsletter full of dry humour and useful resources at: www.theknowledge.substack.com / Keep the conversation going on Twitter at @Legendofbaba using the hashtag #TheKnowledge Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-knowledge-with-david-elikwu/donations

Let's get to know Britain's new prime minister and find out why China's winning the trade war. / If you liked this episode, David also writes an intellectually stimulating newsletter full of dry humour and useful resources at: www.theknowledge.substack.com / Keep the conversation going on Twitter at @Legendofbaba using the hashtag #TheKnowledge Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-knowledge-with-david-elikwu/donations

We need to have a frank discussion about the state of Nigeria and its future on the world stage. / If you liked this episode, David also writes an intellectually stimulating newsletter full of dry humour and useful resources at: www.theknowledge.substack.com / Keep the conversation going on Twitter at @Legendofbaba using the hashtag #TheKnowledge Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-knowledge-with-david-elikwu/donations