That Second-Gen Life with Semhar

Tune into Episode #19 of That Second Gen Life with Semhar, covering the recent conference I went to in Washington, D.C., the Eritreans in Tech Summit.

In it, I share what I saw, learned and really walked away with - and how we can take that energy into action. And yes, as a member of the Eritrean diaspora, I have to say, it was really nice to have this space created and in such a powerful way.

So check it out - whether you’re Eritrean or not - I want you to give it a listen. This is definitely a blueprint to make a diaspora event a success, build community, and leave people wanting more.

If you attended the Eritreans in Tech Summit, what did you think? Drop us a note and let us know!

In this episode of That Second-Gen Life, Semhar is back from an extended personal visit to Minnesota with a heavy, firsthand look at what’s actually happening on the ground.

Forget what you’re seeing in the headlines. Semhar describes a community living under a "state of siege," where neighborhood streets have turned into a practice run for authoritarian force.

From unlabeled SUVs staking out playgrounds to the incredible bravery of neighbors in green vests protecting local kids, this is a raw conversation about the fear, the resilience, and why what's happening in the North Star State is a wake-up call for the rest of the country.

You won't want to miss this one. It’s a deep dive into how we show up for each other when things get real.

Hi everyone,

I’m coming to you today with a bit of a heavy heart. This wasn’t a planned episode, but sometimes life—and the headlines—don’t wait for a production schedule.

If you’ve been watching what’s happening in Minnesota lately, especially within the Somali diaspora and the broader immigrant community, you know it’s been a tumultuous couple of weeks. Between the increased targeting, the presence of ICE, and the fear rippling through our neighborhoods, it’s felt… a lot.

That Second-Gen Life with Semhar is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

I’ve been sitting here reflecting on the stories we carry as second-gen kids. Most of us are here because someone in our family took a massive, often dangerous risk to give us a life where we’re supposed to feel “safe.” But as we’re seeing right now, safety isn’t always a given—sometimes it has to be defended with knowledge.

So tune in and listen to what you can do from where you are - to prepare, protect and support each other.

I gathered resources—specifically scripts and “Red Cards” translated into various African diaspora languages including Tigrinia, Amharic, Somali, Afaan Oromo, Fulani, Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, Swahili, Arabic and more —because I want us to be prepared, informed and empowered.

Let’s keep looking out for one another, and stay safe and be kind to yourselves.

Love always,

Semhar

Radical Honesty and Setting Intentions for the New Year

In this episode of 'That Second Gen Life with Semhar,' host Semhar Araia talks about the importance of radical honesty in self-assessment and intention setting as we enter the new year. She encourages listeners to review the past year, identify lessons learned, and understand their current commitments and obligations. Semhar also emphasizes creating an accountability framework to help achieve goals and aspirations. The focus is on holistic self-improvement rather than just setting resolutions. The episode serves as a guide for listeners, particularly those in the diaspora, to navigate their lives intentionally and effectively.

00:00 Welcome ‌00:51 Introduction and New Year Wishes

01:13 Reflecting on the Past Year

02:44 Setting Intentions for the New Year

05:53 Assessing Your Ecosystem

11:50 Building an Accountability Framework

17:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

What helps you keep going when things get especially tough? As we close out 2025, I did a lookback and went much farther than I thought I would.

What became a simple reflection over the year, took me into a lifelong journey of lessons and blessings.

So I hit record to share a simple practice that has been fueling me lately: the practice of gratitude as a daily reset.

After a whirlwind September, I sat down to record another podcast episode of That Second Gen Life with Semhar and I would love for you to tune in.

Join me as I share a recap of our first week of the Diaspora Leadership Program and the surprising discover I had after teaching this course for 10 years. I share:

* Why session one feels like an invitation to yourself

* How defining your diaspora vision in module two sparks the big questions we deserve to ask

* What I am seeing across our cohort, from recent grads to near-retirees, and how each person arrives at powerful clarity

* A look ahead to sessions two and three, where we shape audience, message, and real-world strategy for impact

You will hear a candid recap, takeaways you can apply right away, and an energizing reminder to use your time, talent, and treasure for good.

🎧 Listen to the episode and let me know your favorite insight in the comments.

If this episode resonates, add your name to the Diaspora Leadership Program waitlist for October 2026 and stay in the loop on upcoming TDA events, trainings and advisory sessions. We are creating the spaces we wish existed, together, and I thank you for joining us on this journey.

With gratitude,Semhar

P.S. Curious about the Diaspora Leadership Program curriculum and modules? Visit thediasporaacademy.com/dlp for details and the waitlist.

What happens when you stop waiting for permission and start building what your community truly needs?

That’s the focus of today’s new episode of That Second-Gen Life with Semhar. I’m unpacking the core value that guides my work as a leader and advisor, to always create the spaces you wish existed.

In this episode, I share how being born and raised by diaspora parents in America shaped my earliest lessons in diaspora agency, organizing, service, and coalition building.

These experiences inspired me to create the Diaspora African Women’s Network (DAWN) and continue to shape the work of The Diaspora Academy today.

Find out what “creating the spaces you wish existed” means for you, plus 3 burning questions you must be willing to answer to discover how you can create the spaces you wish existed.

Tune in to the episode and discover:

✅ How to recognize the gaps in your professional and community life✅ Questions that will help you define the role you want to play in building new spaces✅ Practical steps to move from vision to action✅ Why empathy and clarity are essential tools for sustainable leadership✅ How creating space leads to more inclusive, impactful solutions

Every time I sit down to record an episode, I think of you.

You might be the daughter or son of immigrants, trying to figure out how to hold your family's story and still make room for your own. Maybe you're a second-generation leader feeling stuck or unsure of what’s next. Or maybe you're someone who’s quietly carrying the weight of your community, doing your best to keep everything and everyone together.

This week’s episode is straight from the heart. It was one of my weekly IG lives, which I’m doing for the month of July, but I wanted to share it with you, our TSGL community.

That Second-Gen Life with Semhar is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

I know many of you may feel like you’re being pulled in multiple directions or facing pressure from too many different points. We show up, we give, we serve. But we don’t always know how to take care of ourselves in the process.

So I share some of the reasons why the diaspora life is actually a personal journey, including:

* The pressure of family and cultural expectations

* What it looks like to listen to your own voice

* The difference between honoring your community and losing yourself

* And how to lead with love, not fear

“Pursuing your own journey has to be done as honestly to who you are as possible.”

If you’ve been holding your breath, trying to do it all, sit back and consider what I’m saying. You cannot do it alone, perfectly or how everyone else wants you to do it.

In the diaspora, we listen, we don’t judge.

🎧 Listen to the newest episode of That Second-Gen Life with Semhar and let me know what speaks to you.

#TDADiasporas #CreateTheSpaces #ThatSecondGenLife #DiasporaLeadership #Diaspora

On today’s episode of That Second Gen Life, I’m taking a moment to celebrate and honor a milestone that means so much to our diaspora community: the 10th anniversary of the African Diaspora Network and its flagship event, the African Diaspora Investment Symposium (ADIS).

Tune in where I break down:

* The four key ingredients that make ADN a successful diaspora-led organization

* What visionary leadership actually requires — and how ADN built a real institution, not just an event

* Why retaining volunteers, building partnerships, and staying open to risk are vital for diaspora nonprofits

* The reason ADN’s inclusive, Pan-African approach is a blueprint for other diaspora spaces, and

* Why every one of us should stop and honor what it takes to build something that truly lasts.

That Second-Gen Life with Semhar is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

What does it mean to honor your roots while building your future? What happens when a phone call changes everything you thought was just a dream?

In our latest episode of That Second Gen Life, I’m getting deeply personal. I hit record while out of town during a powerful weekend—one filled with meaning, memory, and movement. It’s not just Memorial Day for me. It’s a Pan-African, Independence Day, and birthday weekend all rolled into one.

That Second-Gen Life with Semhar is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

May 24 is Eritrea’s Independence Day, and for me, it will always be marked by the moment I heard my mother say, “Eritrea is free.” I was just 13, when I received a phone call from my mother that I would never forget. I didn’t know then how much those words would shape me, but they did—and they still do.

Then comes May 25: Africa Day.

Established in 1963 with the founding of the Organization of African Unity, Africa Day is about more than flags and declarations. It’s a celebration of freedom. Of sovereignty. Of global connection. And in 2012, when the African Union officially recognized the African diaspora as the sixth region of the continent, it affirmed something we already knew: we are part of this story, and this story is part of us.

In this episode, I reflect on:

* The legacy of Eritrea’s hard-won independence—and why it matters globally.

* The evolution of Africa Day, from continental unity to a global celebration of African people and power.

* The AU’s groundbreaking recognition of the diaspora and what that means for our collective future.

* The under-told history of the Pan-African Women’s Organization, which predates the AU and reminds us that African women have always led.

This episode isn’t just for Eritreans. It’s for every member of the African diaspora who wonders where they fit, what their role is, and how to reconnect with heritage in a meaningful way. From east to west, north to south, and across oceans—Africa Day touches us all.

🎧 Listen now to this powerful Africa Day episode of That Second Gen Life with Semhar. Let it remind you of your place in our shared story.

If you’re ready to explore your own diaspora path and take action, sign up for Diaspora Leadership Program at www.thediasporaacademy.com/dlp. Let’s help you create the spaces you wish existed.

#TDADiasporas #CreateTheSpaces #Diaspora #AfricaDay #DiasporaLeadership #EritreaIndependence #PanAfricanism #DiasporaPhilanthropy #SecondGenVoices