Dear Diaspora

In this episode, Ndu is joined by Paakow Essandoh, President and Chief or MIZIZI, an athleisure and lifestyle brand that embodies the spirit and strength of its African ancestors. MIZIZI was founded in 2015 and is inspired by various cultures revolving around African roots. They have exclusive collections that are consistently designed with connection and representation in mind.

Mizizi has created an international movement that's encouraging members of the Diaspora to stay connected, to stay represented, and to #StayRooted. You can find them on Instagram @mizizishopand online at mizizishop.com.

During the episode, we delve into Paakow's experience growing up in the US, securing MIZIZI's collaborations with Marvel and Disney, and what staying rooted means to him.

"The acquisition of knowledge is the catalyst to progress. The game is out there—it's about being intentional and taking the responsibility of wanting to learn about it, and applying that knowledge after the fact" – Paakow Essandoh

Tune in for more of our amazing conversation!

Forbes Article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/josephdeacetis/2019/01/18/meet-mizizi-how-one-twenty-four-year-old-ghanaian-american-is-inspiring-africans-to-stay-rooted/#933a57322a09

MIZIZI Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mizizishop/?hl=ur

MIZIZI Website: https://www.mizizishop.com

In this episode of Dear Diaspora, Ndu is joined by Away to Africa founder Tiffanie Anderson to discuss her journey from attorney to entrepreneur.

While studying abroad in South Africa in 2006, Tiffanie fell in love with the continent. After coming back to the US and working as an attorney for a few years, she launched Away to Africa, a destination management company dedicated to providing guided, cultural tours throughout select countries in Africa.

During the conversation, we delve into how she builds and manages a global team, which of Away's tours are the most popular, and why her accent has actually been one of the biggest challenges while doing business in Africa.

"When you travel, you should humble yourself and leave the mindset of where you're traveling from at that airport. Get on that plane with an open mind and an open heart." – Tiffanie Anderson

To learn more about Away to Africa's tours, please visit: https://www.awaytoafrica.com.

Listen in to hear more of our amazing conversation!

Resources referenced in this episode:

Away to Africa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awaytoafrica/

Away to Africa email: [email protected]

In this episode of Dear Diaspora, Ndu is joined by Diaspora Talks host and Take Back Africa Foundation founder Fata Acquoi to discuss immigration, growing up in the US, advocacy and the upcoming Take Back Africa Summit.

In 2018, the Take Back Africa Summit was founded by African millennials living in the diaspora with one goal in mind: how can we improve the socio-economic status of the African continent while making it sustainable for future generations? This year's summit is happening September 27 and 28 at North Hennepin Community College in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.

If you're interested in attending or learning more about this year's event, please visit: https://takebackafricasummit.org.

During the conversation, we delve into Fata's experience advocating for the extension of Deferred Enforced Departure, a temporary status granted to certain eligible Liberians. Additionally, we discuss what excites us about Africa's future—namely the continent having one of the youngest work forces and the newly signed continental free trade agreement.

"Even if you're not going to go back home, at least support the work being done to create change"-Fata Acquoi.

Listen in to hear more of our amazing conversation!

Resources referenced in this episode:

Take Back Africa Summit: https://takebackafricasummit.org

Diaspora Talks Podcast: https://thediasporatalks.podbean.com

Deferred Enforced Departure: https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status/deferred-enforced-departure

Continental Free Trade Agreement: https://www.cfr.org/blog/african-continental-free-trade-area-new-horizon-trade-africa

In this episode of Dear Diaspora, Ndu is joined by global health advocates Muyatwa Sitali and Bulongo Sitali to discuss growing up in Zambia, supporting small scale farmers, and why young people are key to Africa's future.

Bulongo and Muyatwa Sitali are quite the duo! They also happen to be my aunt and uncle :)

Bulongo is currently an MPH student at Rutger's School of Public Health, and Muyatwa is a WASH Specialist at UNICEF.

With over ten years of experience in development, aid and public policy, Muyatwa has worked to advocate for health, water and sanitation in Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.

Bulongo has worked for Zambia's National Association for the prevention of Starvation (NAPS), as well as the Civil Society Organization Scaling Up Nutrition Alliance (CSO-SUN). Her goals for the future include working on research projects that contribute towards the advancement of knowledge in efforts to prevent and reduce the spread of communicable and non-communicable disease globally.

During the conversation, we delve into how they met (such a sweet story by the way), the importance of Zambia's agricultural industry, living and working in Liberia after its civil war, and much more.

"The growing number of youth taking action gives me hope—they are being creative and innovative in effort to break the cycle of generational poverty "-Bulongo Sitali

Listen in to hear more of our amazing conversation!

Resources referenced in this episode:

Nobel Peace Prize Winners Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Leymah Gbowee: https://www.nobelpeaceprize.org/Prize-winners/Prizewinner-documentation/Ellen-Johnson-Sirleaf-Leymah-Gbowee-Tawakkol-Karman2

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's This Child Will Be Great: https://www.amazon.com/This-Child-Will-Great-Remarkable/dp/0061353485

Developments in Zambia's Agricultural Sector:https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20190822-the-zambian-agri-tech-app-making-farming-cool

In this episode of Dear Diaspora, Ndu is joined by Afromaha co-founder Judy Kiagiri to discuss living and working in the Midwest, how communities can embrace diversity and be more inclusive, and Afromaha's upcoming African Culture Festival.

Afromaha is committed to bringing people together to celebrate and share African culture. With thousands of Africans living in Nebraska, they have created a platform to connect foster creativity and engage the African diaspora in the local community. They are deliberately inclusive, and dedicated to celebrating diversity.

During the conversation, we delve into Judy's experience creating Afromaha along with her partner Joubel. Additionally, we discuss the importance of networking and finding like-minded individuals when looking to create anything new.

"Find people that will go the distance with you."-Judy Kiagiri

Learn more about Afromaha and this year's African Culture Festival here: https://www.afromaha.com

Listen in to hear more of our amazing conversation!

Welcome to Dear Diaspora!

Dear Diaspora is a podcast celebrating the African diaspora – its change-makers, innovators and entrepreneurs working to make our world a better one to live in.

If you're passionate about entrepreneurship, social change, professional development, and want to be inspired–then this is the podcast for you! Join us as we celebrate Black excellence around the world, thoughtfully discuss topics impacting our lives, and explore how we can make our world a better place.

In this episode, Ndu breaks down what the African Diaspora is, her experience moving to the US from Zambia, and what you can expect from this podcast!

Make sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook @deardiaspora.

If you're interested in becoming a sponsor, please email [email protected].

Resources mentioned in this podcast:

Dear Diaspora fundraising project: https://deardiasporashow.com/projects/

Dambisa Moyo's Dead Aid: https://amzn.to/2KweF4m

Beyoncé's Lion King: The Gift album: https://pitchfork.com/news/beyonce-details-new-album-the-lion-king-the-gift-ft-kendrick-jay-z-gambino-blue-ivy-more/

Burna Boy's new album: https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/burna-boy-african-giant/

Ghana's 2019 Year of Return Campaign: https://www.un.org/africarenewal/magazine/december-2018-march-2019/2019-year-return-african-diaspora

Continental Free Trade Agreement: https://www.cfr.org/blog/african-continental-free-trade-area-new-horizon-trade-africa