Misha Maseka is an award-winning filmmaker, performer, writer and composer who founded Village Girls in 2021. Born in Eswatini to Zambian parents and growing up in South Africa, Australia and settling in Canada, Misha’s adaptability to culture has served her well as a storyteller. Starting her career in opera and theatre performing across Canada and Germany (Calgary Philharmonic, Theatre Calgary, Square One Media, Lyric Studio Weimar, Arts Commons), Lemba has carried over a sense of spectacle and theatricality in her style as a filmmaker. This was made apparent in her celebrated short film “Not That Deep” - winner of two Berlin Short Film Festival awards. When not creating, she has sat on various Canadian granting bodies as a juror and consultant in funding development (Canada Council of the Arts, Calgary Arts Development, Ubuntu Central Alberta, UnCommon Collective). She still makes time to write and perform music under the stage name Lemba and hosts the visual podcast “And I Wonder.”

Join us on this episode as we discuss the international Black identity and assumptions of Blackness. Misha shares her story of being born an immigrant, and its role in her artistic practice, always being the new girl and the power of adaptability. She also shares the mandate and motivation behind her company Village Girls Ltd and it's impact in the community. Listen, and leave a review.

Follow Misha on Instagram at @mishamaseka

And I Wonder Podcast @andiwonderpod

Village Girls Ltd @villagegirlsltd and www.villagegirls.ca

If you are an African/Black immigrant and would like to be a featured guest on Afros in the Diaspora Podcast, send a DM or email with the information below!

Facebook | Instagram | Tiktok - @afrosinthediaspora.

For Inquiries - [email protected]

Shula Molobeka was born in Lusaka, Zambia. Twenty-five years ago, she made the difficult choice to emigrate in pursuit of a better life for herself and her family. As a mum of five ranging from the ages of 29 to 17, she is blessed with a bonus daughter. Shula wholeheartedly enjoys motherhood. When she is not being mum, she has a career as a Massage Therapist which she is passionate about. She enjoys experiencing life as a phenomenal woman!

In this episode, we get to hear from the perspective of a mother and a parent about their choice to emigrate and how it unfolded. Shula takes us on her journey - moving from Zambia to living as aliens in the US with her family, to packing up yet again, and moving to Canada. She reflects on the challenges and triumphs of her journey; the growth, grief and work it took to give her children the best that life had to offer and a bright future. Come and journey with us on this episode.

Listen, laugh, comment and share with a friend! Leave a review/rating!

If you are an African/Black immigrant and would like to be a featured guest on Afros in the Diaspora Podcast, send a DM or email with the information below!

Facebook | Instagram | Tiktok - @afrosinthediaspora.

For Inquiries - [email protected].

Born in Nigeria and now calling Canada home, Mo works in banking and finance by day, navigating the complexities of the financial world. However, his passions lie beyond numbers. As a photographer, he captures the beauty of life through his lens, and as a stand-up comedian, he brings laughter to audiences, blending humour with his unique cultural perspective. Sports and music fuel his soul, serving as a hobby and a deep-seated passion. Mo's mission is simple yet profound: to change the world by staying true to his Nigerian roots and embracing the cultural richness he has encountered along his journey.

In this episode, Mo shares about the financial choices he sees immigrants make in an attempt to show off to folks back home, especially at the end of the year, and the consequences of these actions and some scams that are common now. We also discuss cultural shocks and his passion for standup comedy and photography. Listen, leave a comment and share with a friend.

Follow Mo on Instagram @mist3r_m0 for more information about his standup comedy events and his photography.

If you are an African/Black immigrant and would like to be a featured guest on Afros in the Diaspora Podcast, send a DM or email with the information below!

Facebook | Instagram | Tiktok - @afrosinthediaspora.

For Inquiries - [email protected]

On this episode, Maya shares his take on building community, standing firm on his sense of identity and culture and what to do when stopped by the police as a Black immigrant. We discuss his Zambian heritage and friendships amongst other things. Listen, review and share!

If you are an African/Black immigrant and would like to be a featured guest on Afros in the Diaspora Podcast, send a DM or email with the information below!

Facebook | Instagram | Tiktok - @afrosinthediaspora.

For Inquiries - [email protected]

Slim Tyme, originally from Nigeria, began his musical journey at age 4 in Port-Harcourt. He fell in love with the saxophone and, at 14, moved to Canada, where he became a DJ and embraced music production. Slim Tyme is known for mixing hip hop, R&B, afrobeat, gospel and a host of genres to create unique musical experiences. He's opened for artists like Burna Boy, Davido and Ty Dolla $ign, collaborated with emerging Canadian talents, and performed at various events, from house parties to festivals like "Center of Gravity." His music, including the use of the saxophone, leaves a lasting impact, spreading positivity globally. Slim Tyme's dedication and passion promise a bright future in inspiring listeners worldwide.

On this episode, Slim Tyme takes us through his immigration story, how his musical journey began, how he takes up space as a Black man and his deep connection to his Faith. He shares how he came about his stage name, the meaning and intention behind his released albums and what we can expect from him moving forward. Listen, review and share!

Follow Slim Tyme on social media @slimtyme - Watch out for his upcoming shows, events and albums. Slim Tme is a verified artist on Spotify and Apple Music, make sure to stream his music!

If you are an African/Black immigrant and would like to be a featured guest on Afros in the Diaspora Podcast, send a DM or email with the information below!

Facebook | Instagram | Tiktok - @afrosinthediaspora.

For Inquiries - [email protected]

Francisca Ajayi, originally from Nigeria is a recent graduate of the University of Calgary. She is passionate about sustainable community development and politics. With her degree in International Relations, she aspires to become one of the greatest diplomats and ambassadors the United Nations has ever seen. She also enjoys creative endeavours and volunteering.

In this episode, Francisca shares about being the first daughter, first child and grandchild in her Nigerian home, the joys and sense of responsibility that comes with it, and how she creates boundaries and prioritizes herself. We also discuss how the "first daughter effect" seeps into other areas of life like relationships and dating.

Listen, share, comment and leave a review!

Follow Francisca on Instagram @cis.ca_

If you are an African/Black immigrant and would like to be a featured guest on Afros in the Diaspora Podcast, send a DM or email with the information below! You can also share your thoughts on the podcast with us!

Facebook | Instagram | Tiktok - @afrosinthediaspora

For Inquiries - [email protected]

Join us on Episode 14 of Afros in the Diaspora Podcast with Chris (from Ghana) as we discuss some pros and cons of living in the diaspora based on our lived experiences. We dive into some highs and lows, some of the culture shocks we have experienced and things we miss from home.

Follow Chris on Instagram @king_waddle

If you are an African/Black immigrant and would like to be a featured guest on Afros in the Diaspora Podcast, send a DM or email with the information below! You can also share your thoughts on the podcast with us!

Facebook | Instagram | Tiktok - @afrosinthediaspora

For Inquiries - [email protected]

Charles Andrew Payne is an accomplished actor, writer, comedian and inspirational speaker with an extensive resume.  Notably, he had the pleasure of sharing the screen with esteemed actors like Johnny Depp in an early TV role on "21 Jump Street," Kevin Sorbo on "Andromeda" and "Miracle in East Texas," and even joined forces with Pam Grier and Snoop Dogg on "The L-Word." Beyond his acting accolades, Charles Andrew Payne has also become a sought-after guest speaker, known for delivering impactful messages of resilience, kindness, and forgiveness. His writings have been featured in various publications and produced on television and stage. 

Join us on this episode as Charles takes us on his inspiring journey from his happy childhood in Grenada, moving to Canada and experiencing things like a plane ride and electricity for the first time, experiencing his "trauma years" as the only Black kid in school, the popularity and imposter syndrome that came with being an athlete and model, and creating a career path in the arts and sales. His story is filled with highs, lows, and moments of sobering reality and he tells it with grace, maturity, and a sense of humour.

Listen and laugh, learn and be inspired!

Follow Charles Andrew Payne on Instagram, FaceBook and TikTok @charlesandrewpayne - Watch out for his upcoming Stand-up comedy shows and Film & TV productions.

If you are an African/Black immigrant and would like to be a featured guest on Afros in the Diaspora Podcast, send a DM or email with the information below!

Facebook | Instagram | Tiktok - @afrosinthediaspora

For Inquiries - [email protected]

Ivanna Ihekwoaba is a Nigerian-born actor, spoken word poet, and filmmaker based in Vancouver. Ivanna created her debut short film "Who We Are", under the under the Reel Youth Black Brilliance program, in partnership with Telus StoryHive. She can be seen playing the role of Esther in the award-winning short film “Esther & Sai”, inspired by a true story. As a filmmaker, her work focuses on raw and vulnerable storytelling, with a spotlight on mental health and self-expression. Ivanna is also an alumni of the VIFF Catalyst Mentorship Program 2023 cohort. She is currently in post-production on a documentary about Black poets in Vancouver, through the Fabienne Colas Foundation and Netflix’s “Being Black in Canada” program. 

Join us on this episode full of laughter as we reminisce about growing up with movies from the Nigerian film industry also known as Nollywood; their impact in our lives, our society and how they offer a sense of grounding and connection between African immigrants in the diaspora and our culture and people back home.

Follow Ivanna on Instagram @ivannaoiy - Feel free to reach out for creative collaborations.

If you are an African/Black immigrant and would like to be a featured guest on Afros in the Diaspora podcast, send a DM or email with the information below!

Facebook | Instagram | Tiktok - @afrosinthediaspora

For Inquiries - [email protected]

Chish is a Mutli-Disciplinary artist based in Calgary AB (Canada). He started painting as a form of therapy 8 years ago. His passion for art began when Chish first learned how to draw from his cousin while living at his grandmother’s house in his home country, Zambia. Growing up he was inspired by musicians, actors, artists, and world leaders. Chish believes that by adding color you can shed light in the dark. After rediscovering his faith, he intends to live a life that honors God and his family.

On this episode, Chish takes us on a vulnerable journey of how he grew from having a lack of direction, and a weak sense of self and identity to discovering and building strong personal, spiritual and cultural roots that have strengthened his sense of self and identity as a Zambian man in the diaspora. He shares about his path to becoming an artist, his work and how his last visit to Zambia and his faith are a source of rejuvenation and strength. Enjoy!

Checkout Chish's website and feel free to reach out: artofchish.ca

If you are an African/Black immigrant and would like to be a featured guest on Afros in the Diaspora podcast, send a DM or email with the information below!

Facebook | Instagram | Tiktok - @afrosinthediaspora

For Inquiries - [email protected]