Diaspora in Development

In this episode we speak to Themrise Khan, an independent analyst, writer and researcher. Her insight challenges much of the conventional wisdom surrounding foreign aid. Does it have the impact that we’d like or is it perpetuating and supporting existing infrastructure issues?

From post-World War II reconstruction efforts to the significant financial aid given to Pakistan after 9/11, we

Themrise looks at some of the critical differences between development and humanitarian aid, drawing forth her own and many other women’s experiences of working i n international development-based roles.

From the political to the personal, through our reflections, we uncover some of the highs and lows of working international development. From the inspiring legacy of humanitarians like

This interview takes a hard look at migration, a constant feature of our headlines, and dissects the economic motivations of aid and the often hostile reception migrants face in host countries.

For the diaspora, the episode emphasize responsible engagement and the importance of supporting their homelands thoughtfully.

The opinions shared on this forum are the opinions of the

You can find Themrise Khan Youtube channel here : https://www.youtube.com/@themrisetalks

We speak to Dr. Bashair Ahmed about her career and Humanitarian Organization Shabaka. We delve into the role of diaspora engagement in development and humanitarian response.

Dr. Ahmed has an illustrious career having worked with United Nations agencies and international organizations focused on fragile and conflict-affected countries. Dr. Ahmed has consulted on a wide range of migration and diaspora initiatives, including protecting irregular migrants; the development of e-trainings on humanitarian principles for diaspora organizations; and guiding diaspora engagement in development and humanitarian response. Bashair holds a doctorate in Migration Studies from the University of Sussex, where she is also currently a Research Associate,

Find more about Shabaka here: https://shabaka.org/

In honor of Caribbean Heritage, we speak to trailblazer Dr. Adelle Thomas Adaptation Lead at the Natural Resources Defense Council, and Vice Chair of Working Group II for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Adelle made history by becoming the first English-speaking Caribbean scientist and the First Female Caribbean Scientist to be elected to the panel.  Adelle took a pragmatic approach to her studies, which led her to be a leading voice on the climate challenges facing the Caribbean.

We apologize this episode has some sound issues that could not be addressed in editing.

In honor of Haitian Heritage Month and Haitian Flag Day, Diaspora in Development brings you something different! We speak to singer-songwriter Sherlee Skai about the role artists can play in shedding light on injustices at home or to their communities worldwide.

Born and raised in Haiti, Sherlee Skai's journey into the world of music began at a young age. Surrounded by the rich tapestry of Haitian culture and folklore, she was captivated by the rhythmic beats of traditional music and the soul-stirring melodies of jazz and soul. Drawing inspiration from her cultural heritage, Sherlee embarked on a musical odyssey that would shape her identity as an artist, activist, and educator.

Fuelled by a passion for social justice and equality, Sherlee Skai emerged as a powerful voice for change within her community and beyond. Drawing upon her own experiences as a Haitian woman navigating the complexities of identity and belonging, she used her platform as an artist to shed light on the struggles and triumphs of the marginalized. Through her music and activism, Sherlee Skai became a tireless advocate for the underprivileged, challenging societal norms and advocating for greater inclusivity, representation, and empowerment.

You can listen to Sherlee's music on her YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUVbOBK7lPqrV7_I748ToYw and on Spotify

My guest today is  Dr. Claudine Kuradusenge-McLeod. Claudine is a Professiorial Lecturer  and the Director  of Graduate Studies at American University in the School of International Service. She lectures on Human Rights

 Claudine specializes in genocide studies and the intersection of Diaspora consciousness and social mobilization. She is the  2023 Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation Distinguished Scholar for "Erasing Refugees: How Camps Became Killing Fields in the First Congo War," a joint project with Dr. Chris Davey. 

You can find out more about Claudine's work here: https://www.american.edu/sis/faculty/kuraduse.cfm

The opinions shared on this forum are the opinions of the individuals and are not the opinions of the organizations and institutes that they work for.

Happy Black History Month - We talk with Adria Armbrister about her illustrious career in Global Health. It's a candid conversation about race and global equity and whether international development can work.

She is currently a Foundation Representative at the Inter-American Foundation (IAF), a small U.S. Government agency that provides grants to community-based

On the first episode of 2024, we talk about climate change with Blessing Ewe and Sequoia Riley. We caught Blessing on her return from COP 28. We discuss how climate change disproportionately affects people of color, climate change research and what we can do to combat climate change.

 You can find out more about HARC here.

Blessing Ewa is a passionate advocate for the UN Sustainable Development Goals, a youth and community engagement expert, and an active contributor to the global effort to combat climate change. In her role as the West Africa Coordinator for Net Zero

You can find more

You can find more

The opinions shared on this forum are the opinions of the individuals and are not the opinions of the organizations and institutes that they work for.

This month I speak to France Francois a social impact leader who is currently the Director of Global Community management at TikTok and the Founder and former Executive Director of In Cultured Company, an organization committed to racial equality and transforming legacies of conflict between Black and Latinx leaders and communities. We talk about France's transition from International Development to the Private Sector, and if International Development works. It's a great conversation enjoy!

You can find out more about France at https://francefrancois.com/

In our third episode will be speaking to Christa Michaud from Partners in Health.

Christa is a Senior Development Officer on the Major and Principal Gifts team at Partners In Health, a social justice nonprofit that provides high quality health care to those who need it most. In addition to helping generate the funding needed to support PIH’s mission, Christa also contributes to several of the organizations Equity, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives. Before transitioning to the nonprofit sector 13 years ago, Christa spent more than a decade working at marketing communications firms across the Midwest, developing and managing multi-million-dollar advertising, public relations, and global brand campaigns.

A native of St. Louis, MO, Christa has been a Miami Beach resident for seven years. She holds a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the Missouri School of Journalism at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Christa is a member of the Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and 100+ Women Who Care Miami Beach.