Nearly 500 years ago, African survivors of the transatlantic slave trade built communities of refuge and resistance in Brazil and across Latin America. 

Today, those same lands, known as quilombos, are also some of the most biodiverse places on Earth, thanks to generations of care and knowledge by quilombola communities.

In this special Black Earth episode, our host, Marion, meets with Fran Paula, an inspiring quilombola researcher from Brazil. Fran documents and shares the life-giving agricultural practices that sustain her people.

Together, they explore the links between land, freedom, and healing as the world prepares for the historic COP30 climate conference in Belém, Brazil.

🎧 This conversation is in Brazilian Portuguese and English as we bridge languages, communities, and continents across the Black diaspora. Special thanks to Júlia for the translation! 

💬 Episode chapters:
00:00 – Intro and Fran’s relationship with nature
07:20 – History of quilombo lands
11:50 – Why quilombo territories hold some of the world’s healthiest natural ecosystems
15:40 – What recognition means and why it’s important for quilombola communities
22:00 – The challenges facing quilombola communities in Brazil
25:35 – Why ‘biocultural reparations’ matters to Fran
29:56 – Healing across generations 
40:25 – Fran’s message to leaders and policymakers attending the COP30 climate conference in Brazil

🌍 Listen and subscribe to Black Earth wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

📲 Connect and support Fran Paula - https://www.agriculturaancestral.com/

📲 Connect and support the National Association of Quilombos in Brazil - https://conaq.org.br/ 

 🌱 Join the conversation! Leave a comment below and connect with us: Instagram & LinkedIn  & Tiktok @blackearthpodcast. We share more resources, stories, and community activities on our socials.

💌 Connect with Black Earth team for partnerships, speaking and media requests: https://www.blackearthpodcast.com/contactus 

As the next climate conference (COP30) approaches, we turn to one of the most urgent and overlooked climate stories of our time: extreme heat.

Eugenia Kargbo, Africa’s first Chief Heat Officer, joins our host, Marion Osieyo, to explore how communities, nature, and social inequality are reshaping how we live and adapt in a warming world. 

From Freetown, Sierra Leone to the global stage, Eugenia shares lessons on climate leadership, equity, and resilience. She reminds us that those most affected by climate change are also leading the way forward.

Trigger warning: This episode does include references to the impacts of extreme heat. Please do listen with your well-being in mind first. 💚

🌍 Listen and subscribe to Black Earth wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

📲 Connect with and support Eugenia Kargbo - https://www.climateresilience.org/about-executive-leadership 

📲 Join the conversation! Leave a comment below and connect with us: Instagram, LinkedIn & Tiktok @blackearthpodcast. We share more resources, stories, and opportunities from our global community on our socials.

💌 Connect with Black Earth team for partnerships, speaking and media requests: https://www.blackearthpodcast.com/contactus 

Episode chapters

00:00 Intro and Eugenia’s relationship with nature 

03:28 Why Eugenia was appointed Africa’s first Chief Heat Officer 

05:35 What causes rising heat in Freetown, Sierra Leone 

07:27 What extreme heat feels like on a daily basis 

09:13 Who is more vulnerable to the impacts of extreme heat?

14:35 Why extreme heat is not seen with the same urgency as other climate change events 

20:27 How we can improve our understanding of extreme heat 

23:40 The Freetown Heat Action Plan 

26:50 Why nature and communities are our biggest supporters when building resilience to extreme heat 

31:20 Eugenia’s lessons on leadership when working on climate resilience 

33:30 How to support Eugenia and Black Earth! 

For thousands of years, humans have had a deep relationship with seeds. Seeds are our ancestors. They carry life, culture and memory. But today, the situation is drastically changing. Across Africa and the world, the corporate capture of agriculture is threatening native seeds and the communities who have nurtured them for generations.

In this inspiring and enlightening episode of Black Earth Podcast, Marion speaks with Mashudu Takalani of the EarthLore Foundation about seed sovereignty. Together, they explore:

 🌱 Why seeds are essential to life on Earth
 🌍 How Indigenous communities in Southern Africa are restoring traditional seed stewardship
 💡 The impacts of corporate agriculture on food systems and culture
 👩🏾‍🌾 The role of African women and youth as guardians of seed
 🔥 How seed stewardship builds resilience to climate change and biodiversity loss
 🌾 Daily practices we can all adopt to honour seeds and support food sovereignty

This is a conversation about protecting biodiversity, reviving Indigenous knowledge, and reclaiming our relationship with the seeds that sustain us.

🎧 Listen and subscribe to Black Earth wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

📲 Connect and collaborate with Mashudu Takalani and EarthLore Foundation https://earthlorefoundation.org/about-us/  

📲 Join the conversation! Leave a comment below and connect with us: Instagram & LinkedIn  @blackearthpodcast. We share more resources, stories, and community activities on our socials.

💌 Connect with Black Earth team for partnerships, speaking and media requests: https://www.blackearthpodcast.com/contactus 

Episode timestamps

00:00 Intro to episode and why we are talking about seeds

02:37 Mashudu’s relationship with nature

04:00 Why seeds are vital to life on Earth 

08:00 How Mashudu accompanies communities in Southern Africa to restore their Indigenous seeds and ways of life

13:07 The impacts of the corporate capture of agriculture 

16:40 Seed is culture

17:39 Building resilience to climate change and nature loss through seed stewardship

22:40 African women and youth as seed stewards

28:00 How to bring stewardship of seeds back into the hands of small scale farmers and communities 

33:00 How we can start or continue to honour the role of seeds in our daily lives

36:42 How to support Mashudu and Black Earth

What does it take to create access and opportunity for more diverse founders in the climate and sustainability space?

In this episode of the Black Earth Podcast, Marion speaks with Mandy Nyarko MBE, a leading climate and sustainability investor, about the power of entrepreneurship to drive solutions for a changing world.

Together they explore:
 🌱 What climate entrepreneurship really means
 👩🏾‍💼 Why there are so few Black women entrepreneurs in the UK climate and sustainability sector
 💡 How mindset and access to investment shape who gets to be a founder
 📈 The role of investing in building a more inclusive climate economy
 🔮 The trends to watch in climate and sustainability over the next five years

This is a must-listen for anyone interested in climate justice, entrepreneurship and the future of diverse leadership in sustainability.

📲 Connect with Mandy Nyarko: https://www.mandynyarko.com/ 

📲 Join the conversation! Leave a comment below and connect with us: Instagram, TikTok & LinkedIn  @blackearthpodcast. We share more resources, stories, and community activities on our socials.

🎧 Listen and subscribe to Black Earth wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

💌 Connect with Black Earth team for partnerships, speaking and media requests: https://www.blackearthpodcast.com/contactus

Episode Time stamps

00:00 Intro to episode

01:50 Mandy’s relationship with nature

06:20 Mandy’s journey to working with entrepreneurs 

11:56  What is climate entrepreneurship?

15:16 Who gets to be an entrepreneur in the climate and sustainability space

19:26  Why there are so few black women entrepreneurs in the UK working on climate and sustainability

28:38 The power of mindset in being a climate and sustainability entrepreneur

29:30 Why investing is important in widening access for more entrepreneurs

32:50 The trends to look out for in the next five years according to Mandy

34:00 What joy means for Mandy

35:20 How you can support Black Earth!

Who gets to create the future? 

In this inspiring episode of Black Earth, Marion Atieno Osieyo sits down with Tracee Worley, founder of Radical Futures, to discover how communities, especially Black women, are using radical imagination and care to reimagine climate futures and environmental justice.

✨ In this episode, we explore:

🌍 Why futures thinking matters for Black-led climate and environmental action

🌍 Lessons from Tracee’s work with the survivors of the 1921 Black Wall Street massacre in Tulsa, Oklahoma

🌍 What “technologies of care” mean for climate justice movements

🌍 How Octavia Butler’s visionary work teaches us to sense the future

🌍 The unique role Black women play in shaping the futures of the world

In connection to this episode, Marion and Tracee are hosting a game on Instagram live, ‘The Best Thing from A Radical Future’ on 3rd September @ 9:00am LA time/ 17:00 UK time. We’d love for you to join us!! Follow us on IG: @blackearthpodcast for more info!

📲 Join the conversation! Leave a comment below and connect with us: Instagram, TikTok & LinkedIn  @blackearthpodcast. We share more resources, stories, and community activities on our socials.

📲 Connect with Tracee and her design studio, Radical Futures: https://www.radicalfutures.studio/about-us 

🔔 Subscribe to Black Earth for more conversations at the intersection of nature, innovation and culture.

💌 Connect with Black Earth team for partnerships, speaking and media requests: https://www.blackearthpodcast.com/contactus

📌 Timestamps

 00:00 Intro to Black Earth and why we are talking about the future today

 02:50 Tracee’s relationship with nature

 06:46 Why Tracee set up her design studio, Radical Futures

 17:55 Tracee’s moving work with Black communities recovering from the 1921 Tulsa Massacre

 26:00 The importance of moving at the speed of trust

 27:36 Why futures practice matters for Black-led environmental action

 33:50 What it means to have ‘technologies of care’

 35:46 Community creating their futures is at the heart of climate justice

 38:46 What we can learn from Octavia Butler about sensing the future

 43:20 What Black women bring to futures practice

 46:20 How dying connects to the future

 51:38 How to support Tracee and Black Earth!

Welcome back to Black Earth with me, Marion Atieno Osieyo. In each episode, I speak with pioneering Black women from around the world who are re-imagining our relationship with Earth and each other.

This is the first episode of our new season, Season 4, and you can watch the video version on our new YouTube channel here!! 

Today, I meet Agnes Agyepong, founder of Global Child and Maternal Health, for a deep, urgent, and hopeful conversation about air pollution, pregnancy, and environmental justice in the UK. 

In this episode, we explore:

🌍 Groundbreaking research on how air pollution affects the health of Black pregnant women and unborn babies in London

🌍 How Black mothers are leading change for clean air

🌍 What you can do now to reduce air pollution in your home, on your street, and across the UK

💬 “Clean air isn’t a luxury. It’s a birthright. For everyone.”

🎧 If you liked this episode, you might also enjoy our previous one: "Breathing Air, Breathing Justice with Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah" → Listen on our website or wherever you are listening to this podcast.

📲 Join the conversation! Leave a comment below and connect with us: Instagram, TikTok & LinkedIn  @blackearthpodcast. We share more resources, stories, and community activities on our socials.

📲 Connect with Agnes and support her organisation, Global Child and Maternal Health: https://globalcmh.org/about-us/

💌 For partnerships, speaking requests, and media inquiries, contact us here: https://www.blackearthpodcast.com/contactus

xx B.E.

Thank you so much for tuning into Season 3 of Black Earth Podcast. In this season, we have been meeting visionary black women who are creating innovations inspired by nature.

In this season finale, Black Earth team, Marion and Anesu, reflect on their changing relationships with nature as well their key take-aways from Season 3. We also discuss what is to come for Black Earth Podcast.

Although Season 3 has completed, we have some upcoming plans that you can get involved in that we will be announcing on our social media and website. So make sure you stay connected with us:

• Connect with us on Instagram, LinkedIn and Tiktok @blackearthpodcast.
• Visit our website with all episodes and transcripts: https://www.blackearthpodcast.com/

Thank you for joining us on this incredible journey of Earth care.

Love xx B.E.

Episode timestamps

00:00 - Intro to podcast episode

02:00 - Anesu’s relationship with nature

03:45 - Marion’s relationship with nature 

13:30 - Our key take-aways from Season 3, ‘Innovation Inspired By Nature’ 

23:55 - What we are learning about humanity’s relationship with other living beings

35:41 - What’s coming up for Black Earth Podcast

‘How do we practice this revolution in a way that embodies the best of what we have as humans and the best of what we can observe in other species?’ - Marion

In Season 3 of Black Earth Podcast, we are meeting visionary black women who are creating innovations inspired by nature. 

Today we meet Dr. Alexis Pauline Gumbs from North Carolina, United States. Alexis is a queer black feminist, love evangelist and an aspirational favourite cousin to all living beings. 

They are also the author of numerous works including the incredible book, ‘Undrowned: Black Feminist Lessons from Marine Mammals.’

In this inspiring and deeply moving episode, Alexis and I explore ways to uncolonise our humanity, our creativity and our relationships with more-than-human beings.

Timestamps

00:00 - Introducing Alexis

02:15 - Alexis’ relationship with nature

09:00 - Alexis reads the preface from their book ‘Undrowned: Black feminist lessons from marine mammals’

27:00 -  Alexis shares an example of black feminist lesson they learned from witnessing the harbour seal

37:15 - What we can learn from apes about mothering and care

43:50 - Why it’s important for black people to reconcile with other living beings and how decoloniality helps us

56:55 - Alexis’ advice on how to give ourselves radical permission to create 

01:06:00 - Alexis’ upcoming book on Audre Lorde

01:18:00 - How to support Alexis

01:20:00 How to support Black Earth podcast

How to support Alexis Pauline Gumbs

• Visit and contact Alexis’ through their website - https://www.alexispauline.com/ 
• Buy Alexis’ book: Undrowned: Black feminist lessons from marine mammals - https://www.akpress.org/undrowned.html 
• Pre-order Alexis’ upcoming book: ‘Survival is a Promise: The eternal life of Audre Lorde’ - https://www.alexispauline.com/books 

How to support and connect with Black Earth Podcast 

• Subscribe to our podcast and leave a review wherever you listen to your favourite podcast
• Connect with us on Instagram, LinkedIn and Tiktok @blackearthpodcast.
• For partnerships, sponsorship and media features, email us at [email protected]

In Season 3 of Black Earth Podcast, we are meeting visionary black women who are creating innovations inspired by nature.

In this episode, we meet Dr. Mfoniso Antia who is a scientist and Programme Manager at the Health of Mother Earth Foundation in Nigeria. Health of Mother Earth Foundation is a pioneering ecological think tank advocating for environmental justice and food sovereignty in Nigeria and Africa at large.

Dr. Mfoniso is from the Niger Delta in Nigeria, which is a culturally and resource rich region that has been tragically impacted by fossil fuel extraction for several generations. Fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas are burned to be used as sources of energy for human activity around the world.

In this episode, we discuss the environmental, human, and political impacts of fossil fuel extraction in Nigeria.

We also discuss what a socially just energy transition looks like that centers the dignity and well-being of most-affected communities.

Join us for this powerful and enlightening episode.

Timestamps

00:00 - Welcome

3:13 - Dr. Mfoniso’s relationship with nature 

6:28 -  Why we need to talk about energy in the context of climate and environmental justice

8:36 - The links between fossil fuel extraction and climate change in Nigeria

12:34 - How fossil fuel extraction drives power inequalities within countries and across the world

22:38 - How fossil fuel extraction impacts social relationships and cultures

28:45 - How to respond to people who still argue for fossil fuel extraction in Africa to help with development.

36:40 - Introducing the vision and work of Health of Mother Earth Foundation

44:30 -  What does it look like to innovate with communities most affected by energy injustice?

50:50 - What life-giving energy systems look like

58:40 - How to support Dr. Mfoniso and Health of Mother Earth Foundation

01:00:30 - How to connect with and support Black Earth Podcast

How to support Dr Mfoniso

• Follow and support Health of Mother Earth Foundation - https://homef.org/ 

How to support and connect with Black Earth Podcast 

• Subscribe to our podcast and leave a review wherever you listen to your favourite podcast

• Connect with us on Instagram, LinkedIn and Tiktok @blackearthpodcast.

• For partnerships, collaborations and media features, email us at [email protected]

In Season 3 of Black Earth Podcast, we are meeting visionary black women who are creating innovations inspired by nature.

In this episode, we meet the amazing Etta Madete. Etta is an architect, advocate and real estate developer from Kenya. As the founder of Zima Homes, her passion and life’s work is building affordable, inclusive and sustainable housing for communities who need it the most. 

In our conversation, we unpack what affordable and sustainable housing means, why spatial justice is important and how we can design urban spaces for all living beings to thrive.

Timestamps

Welcome - 0:00

Etta’s relationship with nature - 02:10

Etta describes her four principles of well-living - Earth, Fire, Water, Air - 06:48

Etta’s vision for affordable and sustainable housing and why it matters - 16:30

Why affordable and sustainable includes the welfare of nature - 31:53

Spatial justice and what that looks like in Africa - 47:00

How to support Etta and her work - 58:30

How to support Black Earth Podcast - 01:00:30

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Etta’s Four Principles of Well-living - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyrtXQEOoR4 

How to support and connect with Etta 

• Etta’s website and writings: http://ettagold.weebly.com/ 
• Etta’s business, Zima Homes - https://zimahomes.co.ke/ 

How to support and connect with Black Earth Podcast 

• Subscribe to our podcast and leave a review wherever you listen to your favourite podcast
• Connect with us on Instagram, LinkedIn and Tiktok @blackearthpodcast.
• For partnership and media features, email us at [email protected]