What does belonging truly mean for Black and African Australians 

In this episode of Black Mentality, Daniel Olasoji, community organizer and co-founder of African Youth Alliance, shares his journey from growing up in church-centred Nigerian community spaces to creating platforms that celebrate, empower and connect African communities across Australia

What does belonging truly mean for Black and African Australians 

In this episode of Black Mentality, Daniel Olasoji, community organizer and co-founder of African Youth Alliance, shares his journey from growing up in church-centred Nigerian community spaces to creating platforms that celebrate, empower and connect African communities across Australia 

 

 

CHAPTERS 

00:00 Introduction and Welcome 
02:15 Daniel’s background: From Nigeria to Australia 
06:30 Growing up in church community spaces 
10:45 Starting African Youth Alliance 
15:20 From homework clubs to leadership programs 
18:40 Why community work is not about profit 
22:00 The power of authentic celebration spaces 
26:10 What Amari Gala represents 
30:15 Belonging as a negotiation process 
34:40 Social justice and anti-oppression in community 
38:15 Barriers: employment, housing and systemic challenges 
42:30 Why physical spaces matter 
47:10 United Nations of Africa and collective power 
51:00 Participation creates belonging 
55:40 Intergenerational dialogue and workshops 
1:00:10 Excellence versus simply being enough 
1:05:30 The responsibility of curating safe spaces 
1:09:15 Shoutouts to community organizations 
1:13:40 Daniel’s mental health practices 
1:18:20 Final reflections and what’s next 

 

Shoutouts to Organizations 

* Charmaine / Girl Chat 

* Aspya Foundation (ASPA) 

* AfriAuszcare 

* Amari team 

* Vic Health 

* Next Gen United 

* Standard Youth Empowerment 

* Shooter 

* Podcast: Bittersweet Talking Trophies 

Daniel Olasoji / Mari Gala Handles & Websites 

* Website:  https://africanyouthalliance.com.au/ 

* Amari Gala Website: amarigala.com 

* Instagram Handle: african.ya

In this episode of Black Mentality, we dive into culturally safe mental health care, why therapy is not just for people in crisis, and what it truly means for Black and African communities to feel safe in therapeutic spaces.

Heather (founder of Sokotherapy) unpacks the impact of code-switching in therapy, why clients shouldn’t have to teach their therapists about their culture, and how emotional safety is foundational to healing. We explore common myths about therapy, confidentiality concerns, migration trauma, and the importance of culturally informed care for Black and African Australians.

This conversation is honest, practical, and deeply reflective—highlighting why mental health support must be accessible, culturally responsive, and grounded in dignity, safety, and understanding.

This conversation with Kholi is an intimate, layered reflection on storytelling, migration, identity, privilege, healing, and why context matters. 

  

From family histories and boarding school experiences to libraries as refuge, therapy as a tool for unlearning, and the need for Black-led cultural institutions, this episode explores how stories help us understand ourselves and each other beyond headlines and stereotypes. 

  

We talk about diaspora, home, propaganda-lite education, creativity as healing, and what it means to share your story without letting trauma define you.

Intersecting the everyday Black Australian experience with our mental health needs. @BlackMentality_

Betting on Black: @amberprofesses

Let's talk Black:

Dr Amber Johnson, "Examining associations between racism, internalized shame, and self-esteem among African Americans"

Music credit: African Scream (Marimbas) · Dotorado Pro

Intersecting the everyday Black Australian experience with our mental health needs. @BlackMentality_

Special guest: Simba

Music credit: African Scream (Marimbas) · Dotorado Pro

Intersecting the everyday Black Australian experience with our mental health needs. @BlackMentality_

Let's just chat today...

Music credit: African Scream (Marimbas) · Dotorado Pro.

Intersecting the everyday Black Australian experience with our mental health needs. @BlackMentality_

Betting on Black: @dunehealthandwellbeing

Let's talk Black:

Dr Vernon L Andrew's article "Self-Reflection and the Reflected Self: African American Double Consciousness and the Social (Psychological) Mirror"

Music credit: African Scream (Marimbas) · Dotorado Pro

Intersecting the everyday Black Australian experience with our mental health needs. @BlackMentality_

Betting on Black: @alittlelagos

Let's talk Black:

Xavier Mulenga's essay- "Black men, White women"

https://docs.google.com/document/d/19RN-k997KMMoXBiUYzBR-CUk4zVjJ_drDgbNZzqFIas/edit

Music credit: African Scream (Marimbas) · Dotorado Pro

Intersecting the everyday Black Australian experience with our mental health needs. @BlackMentality_

Let's talk Black:

Xavier Mulenga's essay- "Black men, White women"

https://docs.google.com/document/d/19RN-k997KMMoXBiUYzBR-CUk4zVjJ_drDgbNZzqFIas/edit

Music credit: African Scream (Marimbas) · Dotorado Pro