Liberia is a lot of things. Its Africa's first and oldest modern republic declaring independence on July 26, 1847. Its the only African country founded by former enslaved Black Americans who returned to the continent. Its one of the most interesting, complicated and unique nations on earth. To celebrate a special country, we decided to do a special two part series exploring Liberia. In part 1 we catch up with Hesta Baker, she's the owner and operator of Elizabeth Village Resort, a locally owned luxury resort in the heart of Liberia. Hesta has many fond memories of Liberia as a schoolgirl before a bloody coup and a devastating decade long war turned the country from one of the wealthiest in Africa into one of the poorest. She talks to us about Liberia's origins and importance to the global diaspora (5:00), what inspired her to open the resort (21:40), the need to reconcile the past (27:10), and Liberian women leading the rebuild of the country (35:30).

Guest: Hesta Baker (@elizabethliberia) - Elizabeth Village Resort
Big Chune: Marvin Gaye - Lets Get It On