Immigreats

In the season 2 premiere of Immigreats, host Munatsi sits down with Nyasha Michelle, a Zimbabwean-British journalist and BBC Africa reporter.  Nyasha shares her unique upbringing, being raised by her grandparents in Zimbabwe while her mother pursued educational opportunities in the United Kingdom.  She recounts her transition to life in the United Kingdom at age 12, the cultural challenges she faced, and her eye-opening experience in the British school system.  Nyasha discusses her varied career path, from hospitality to modeling, and finally, her unexpected passion for television journalism.  She reflects on her work with the BBC, the importance of storytelling in art and culture, and the support that helped her succeed, accrediting her journey to hard work, faith, and her community.  This episode dives deep into resilience, identity, and the power of embracing new opportunities.

In this episode of Immigreats, Munatsi sits down with Ghida Dagher, CEO of an immigrant focused New American Leaders organization.  Ghida shares her remarkable journey from Sierra Leone to the United States, detailing her family's escape from civil unrest and the challenges they faced as asylum seekers.  She delves into her experiences adapting to American culture, the profound impact of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on her formative years, and her growth into an influential political leader. 

New American Leaders, the organization she leads today, is dedicated to empowering immigrants to take on leadership roles across the nation. 

Tune in to hear about Ghida's vision for a diverse and inclusive political landscape, her advocacy for civic leadership, and her call to action for new Americans to step into their potential and lead.

In this episode of Immigreats, Munatsi delves into conversation with Nse Ufot, former CEO of the New Georgia Project.  Nse traces her roots from Nigeria to the United States and highlights the transformative events that shaped her commitment to Civic engagement.  From her pivotal meeting with former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams that led to groundbreaking voter registration initiatives, Nse's narrative underscores the importance of challenging voting stereotypes and amplifying marginalized voices. 

Her work had a very direct impact on the United States 2020 election outcome. 

Nse is a big believer in collective action and she explains why.  Their conversation navigates the complexities of political activism, exploring its risks and rewards, while advocating for inclusive participation in shaping the future of any democracy.  

Enjoy!

In this episode Munatsi sits down with Nawar Shora, a remarkable Arab American whose life journey embodies the essence of cultural integration and understanding.  

Through his personal anecdotes and professional endeavors, Nawar sheds light on the importance of cultural demystification, aiming to dispel stereotypes and foster genuine understanding between communities.  From his unexpected career shifts post-9/11 to his pivotal role as a liaison between the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) and law enforcement agencies, Nawar emphasizes the power of effective communication and trust-building in bridging cultural divides. 

Discover Nawar's insightful approach to promoting inclusivity and dialogue, wheather through his engaging seminars or his groundbreaking books aimed to humanizing Arab and Muslim communities.  In a world where misconceptions often overshadow shared humanity, Nawar's story serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us that by embracing our differences, we can truly unite as one.  Tune in to explore Nawar Shora's inspiring journey of resilience, advocacy, and the pursuit of cultural harmony. 

In this episode, Munatsi sits down with Aquilino Gonell, a former United States Capitol police officer.  Aquilino tells his story about growing up in the Dominican Republic and his life experiences that led to him protecting elected US congress officials on January 6, 2021.  He also shares intimate details of the fateful day and how his life changed forever in the aftermath. 

Enjoy!

In this episode, Munatsi sits down with Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo-Davis, the Director of Health for the city of Saint Louis, Missouri in the United States.  They dive deep into Mati's incredible journey, from growing up in Zimbabwe to her current role in public health. Mati touches on the obstacles she's overcome in her journey and how resilience has shaped her.  Get ready to be inspired by Mati's story of persevering in a foreign land against many odds!

Wilmot Collins fled Liberia on a ship after war broke out. Years later he serves as the first black mayor of Helena, Montana.  He tells Munatsi his incredible story.  He has experienced everything from the loss of two brothers due to government upheaval, homelessness in a foreign land as a refugee, to the charitable kindness of acceptance and the pride of being elected Mayor of Helena, Montana.  

Today he emphasizes the importance of interacting with community, taking risks, and stepping out of your comfort zone in order to experience growth. 

He's a true Immigreat!

In this episode of "Immigreats," host Munatsi interviews Arrey Obenson, a transformative leader whose journey from a lawyer in Cameroon to a global community leader in the United States epitomizes impactful change. Arrey's turning point came with his involvement in Junior Chamber International, where he significantly improved healthcare access in Cameroon, leading to his leadership roles that expanded JCI's reach across Africa and globally. As the President and CEO of the International Institute of St. Louis, he champions immigrant and refugee integration, alongside founding "I Am Cameroon" to mobilize national development. Arrey's innovative and collaborative approach to leadership and community development has earned him international recognition, including the prestigious Great Immigrant, Great American Award, showcasing his dedication to creating sustainable change and empowering communities worldwide.

In this episode of Immigreats, host Munatsi sits down with United States Army Brigadier General Amanda Azubuike, a remarkable immigrant who has made significant contributions to her adopted country. Amanda shares her inspiring story of being born to a Nigerian dad and Zimbabwean mother, moving from the UK as a teen to becoming a high-ranking officer in the US Army. Amanda's early years were shaped by the values of resilience and determination instilled by her parents. Despite facing challenges, Amanda found her path through Junior ROTC in high school, which eventually led her to join the Army National Guard. Through hard work and dedication, she rose through the ranks and became a commissioned officer. Amanda's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the American Dream. 

In this episode Munatsi welcomes Lily Moore, an immigrant from El Salvador who shares her remarkable story of becoming a top real estate agent in America. Starting with her early struggles of single parenthood, language barriers, and financial difficulties, Lily's inspiring story is one of resilience and determination. You'll enjoy her passion as she recounts how she went from working for AT&T to her successful transition into real estate - culminating in her establishment of  "Lily Moore Realty" - now one of America's most successful brokerages. Get ready to be inspired!