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In this week's episode, Isha Gaye shares her journey from aspiring lawyer to founder and CEO of Afrique Noire Magazine, a print publication celebrating African creativity and connecting the diaspora to the continent. 

As a 2020 college graduate, nothing unfolded as planned for Isha and so lockdown forced her to reflect on her true wishes for her own future. Isha has always known that she wanted to stay connected to the African continent and to bridge the gap between the continent and the diaspora. That's when she came up with the idea for the Afrique Noire social media platform, which evolved into a recently launched print and digital publication. The magazine fosters dialogue by showcasing African designers, artists, and visionaries. 

Here is a summary of the main topics in our conversation:

• Founded to address the disconnect between African immigrants and Black Americans in the US
• Launched as a social media platform before evolving into a print magazine by popular demand
• Publishes three times annually with a focus on sustainability, inclusivity, and traditional arts
• Self-funded with a creative fund that supports featured artists' projects
• Designed as an art piece meant to be kept and shared rather than quickly consumed
• Creating "Afrique Noire Edits," an e-commerce platform launching soon for African creatives to sell their work
• Committed to never charging creatives to be featured in the publication
• Deeply personal connection to African heritage despite 15 years of separation from her homeland

Isha Gaye also talks about how she's managing her newfound role as an entrepreneur and the leader of an organization. She also speaks more about her mentors and the family dynamics that have led her down this path. 

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