The NDINI Podcast

“I don’t want anyone to watch this and say “Oh poor African girl”! I want them to say ‘This resilient, brilliant force of a woman”

In 2014, one of the highest trending hashtags was #BringBackOurGirls, which was a global plea for the safe return of 276 girls who were kidnapped from their school in Chibok in the North East of Nigeria.  The hashtag got huge international attention….and then it was gone.  The world has largely moved on, and yet there are more than 100 girls who are still missing.  

As a Nigerian and a former educator, Funa Maduka felt compelled to do something.  She decided she wanted to give the Chibok girls a voice - we heard of them, but we rarely hear from them.  So Funa and her producing partners decided to made a film which centres on one of the girls, Jessica,  who came back, but who is still waiting for her best friend Hassana to return. Funa wanted to bring it back to the personal story, and make people pause to reflect on what for many of us is a story we have forgotten about. 

‘Waiting to Hassana’ is Funa’s first film - she had never made a film before, and only stepped into the Director’s chair because they couldn’t raise funding to hire a director.  The film has gone on to play at major film festivals, including the prestigious Sundance Film Festival, making it the first Nigerian film to debut at the film festival.  Funa is also the first Nigerian woman to have a film premiere at the film festival.  

Funa also talks about her time working as an Advisor at the Clinton Foundation; and her role as the first ‘Dean of Students and Director of Leadership Development’ for the inaugural class at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa.  

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS INTERVIEW 

• How Funa became a filmmaker by accident
• What it’s like being a female filmmaker in an industry dominated by men
• What it means to her to be the first Nigerian female Director, and for her film to be the first Nigerian film to premiere at Sundance Film Festival
• Why it was important to tell Jessica and Hassana’s story
• What she hopes we’ll learn from watching her film
• How and why’s had such a varied career
• What brings Funa the most joy
• What Funa’s ‘I Am’ is 

INTERVIEW LINKS

Instagram:  @thefunamentals 

Twitter: @FunaMaduka  

Trailer: 'Waiting for Hassana' Trailer 

Facebook: 'Waiting for Hassana' on Facebook  

"That is my goal.  That is my purpose is to let my generation believe in their potential.  That they can make a difference.  That they can change the world because of course our generation is going to change the world"

Most people talk about how frustrated they are by the stereotypical narrative of Africa, but few do anything about it.  Diane Ngako is one of those few who is doing something to change the narrative on Africa.  

Diane quit her high-flying job as a social media editor for one of France’s leading publication to return to her native Cameroon.  

In the one year since returning to Cameroon, she has established a leading creative digital agency called  Omenkart .  Earlier this year, Diane opened an art gallery to showcase local artists, and to encourage people to experience culture through art. 

Diane is also the mind behind Visiter L’Afrique, one of the leading social media platforms sharing curated profiles of African travel destinations, all of which are submitted by users.  And most recently she’s published a visually stunning coffee table book called ‘They call it Africa, we call it home’ which shares a curated sampling of pictures and profiles from Visiter L’Afrique.

Forbes Magazine named Diane one of Africa’s ’30 Most Influential People Under 30’ 

"Wait! The best piece of advice that I’ve been given is to be patient with myself, and with the things that I hope for."

Eposi Litumbe describes herself as ‘Cameroonian born, American raised, World Citizen and seasoned traveler’.  

By day, Eposi is a scientist working in medical research.  By night, she’s a film producer and content creator, including having a travel web series focused on sharing the beauty of Africa.  

Eposi shares how these two seemingly very different roles are her life’s passion.  Through science, she gets to positively impact medicine through clinical research.  And through her travel series, she gets to tell a different narrative about the African continent.  

She is the producer of the web travel series ‘JANU with Eposi’, which is focused on “getting to know the people, places and cultures of Africa.” 

“I’ve realized that when women work together, good things happen”

Brand Strategist, Lisa Chuma, shares the importance of having a compelling brand story; and how to use it to inspire others while creating meaningful connections and collaborations.

Lisa has been featured in more than 60 international newspapers and magazines, and most recently was featured on CNN Money.    She is also a highly sought-after speaker, and has given two TEDx Talks, and been a keynote speaker for organizations including Google, eBay, Goldman Sachs and Women Techmakers.

Lisa Chuma is the Founder and CEO of the Women's Expo Switzerland, which provides a platform for thousands of female entrepreneurs to connect and collaborate.   She is also the creator of the online course 'Get Yourself Featured', which teaches female entrepreneurs how to develop their brand story and increase visibility for their business.

Lisa's passion for woman's advocacy, and creating community stems from seeing the concept of 'ubuntu' - community - during her own difficult childhood. 

“You've got to believe in the strength of your idea, and that you are worthy to be given that idea to bring to the world”

The story of Gugu Intimates is a story of self-belief.  That’s how Gugu Nkabinde describes starting Africa’s first premium underwear range for women of color.  

Gugu was a high-flying Brand Strategy Executive until she got tired of trying to find nude colored underwear that matched her skin tone.  With no prior experience in the industry, and with just some personal savings, she decided to find a solution.  Gugu Intimates went from just an idea to what is now a rapidly growing international brand. 

I met with Gugu in New York at the launch of her line to the North American, and she shared some of the success and failures she’s had so far, and her vision for the brand.  

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS INTERVIEW 

• How a new year’s resolution led to her creating an underwear brand
• How she walked away from her dream job to create Gugu Intimates
• How she chose that name for the brand, and what it means
• What she says is the Gugu Intimates brand story 
• Why designing a comfortable AND sexy plus size bra is next on her list 
• The greatest lessons she's learned from failure
• What's surprised her most as she's been building her business
• The best advice she's been given, and the advice she would give to any aspiring entrepreneur
• What she thinks is the biggest demon that entrepreneurs have to fight
• What her “I am…” is

INTERVIEW LINKS

Gugu Intimates on Instagram: @GuguIntimates

Gugu Intimates on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GuguIntimates/ 

Gugu Intimates Website: www.guguinitimates.com

Gugu on Instagram: @Gugu_N

Gugu on Twitter: @Gugu_N

Gugu on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gugu.nkabinde 

“Bilingualism is a fundamental gift that every parent should give to their children”

It's funny isn't it how sometimes our inspiration to do something comes in the most random or unexpected ways.  For Faridat Audu, the inspiration to become bilingual came in grade school when she admired her friend's sister, who she thought was so elegant and sophisticated in part because she spoke French. 

This admiration inspired Faridat to move to Côte d'Ivoire for University,  and to immerse herself in the language.  And this life-long interest has led to academic degrees for Faridat, and to her becoming a bilingual teacher and author, and most recently CEO of a company focused on promoting bilingualism.  

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS INTERVIEW 

• Why Faridat thinks every parent should give their children the 'gift' of bilingualism
• What it means to be bilingual
• Why she felt the need to challenge herself to be different
• How moving to a country where she didn't speak the language forced her to become fully bilingual
• How admiration of her classmate’s sister inspired her to want to learn a second language
• Why helping others to become bilingual has become her mission
• Faridat's advice on the best age to teach a child a second language
• How cartoons and games can be your secret weapon to help your children to learn a second language
• How even adults can use their downtime to learn a second language 
• Her encouragement and advice for fellow African women
• What her “I am…” is

INTERVIEW LINKS

Website: www.globalvouseducation.com

Book: My First Approach to Being Bilingual

“You keep doing the work you’re doing, and your excellence will shine through in your output”

My guest today is as comfortable in overalls and deep underground of the earth as she is in heels and makeup. She’s a mining engineer, an author, and a mom.  She’s also the founder of Diversity STEM.

Theresa Nyabeze works as a front-line supervisor at one of Canada's largest mines, and she is president of 'Women In Science and Engineering' (WISE) Sudbury. She's also part of a small demographic of women who make up the mining workforce.  According to a 2014 study by Global Mining Standards and Guidelines, women account for only five to ten percent of the international mining workforce, and only seven percent serve on board positions.

Theresa shares why she chose this unconventional career, and why she is so passionate about it.  

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS INTERVIEW 

• How Theresa ended up in mining
• Why she thinks mining is a fantastic career option for any able-bodied person
• What she’s learned about herself through following this unconventional career path
• Why she’s made it her mission to empower and inspire young women through mentorship
• What she’s learned about failure
• What her "I am" statement is

INTERVIEW LINKS

Diversity STEM on Instagram: @diversitystem

Diversity STEM on Twitter: @diversitySTEM

Diversity STEM on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DiverseSTEM/   

Diversity STEM Website: www.diversitystem.ca 

Email: [email protected] 

“Always try your hardest.  Be determined and persistent.”

It's true what that say that dynamite comes in small packages!  My guest this week literally left me tongue-tied during this interview - you'll hear for yourself.  She's an entrepreneur with big dreams….and she's only 11 years old.  Between school (she’s in Year 7) and after-school activities, Tasha has built a successful baking business.  She's even got a contract supplying a local coffee shop with cakes every week.  She is also a motivational speaker.  This is an 11-year-old with HUGE dreams…

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS INTERVIEW 

• How Tasha discovered her passion
• What she does for fun when she's not busy building her empire
• The HUGE goal Tasha wants to accomplish before she's 16 years old
• Who her biggest inspiration is
• The advice she would give to anyone who wants to start their own business
• What her "I am" is

INTERVIEW LINKS

Tasha on Instagram: @cakes_by_ruva_tb

MUSIC

'Be About It' from the album 'Born Free' ~ Lira 

Lira on Instagram: @miss_lira

“I have a big nose.  I have big lips.  I have cheekbones.  My hips are not small.  And I wanted to empower people who look like me. ” 

Moshoodat Sanni is a celebrity Makeup Artist and Creative Director.  

She’s had hundreds of magazine and television features, including in CNN, People Magazine, Essence, Yahoo, BET, BuzzFeed and Glamour.  She’s also done makeup for celebrities including Cardi B, Cyn Santana, Naturi Naughton, Toke Makinwa and Yemi Alade 

Her ‘Just Glitter’ video tutorial on Refinery 29’s ‘Shortcuts’ Facebook page has been viewed more than 24 Million times!  And Elle magazine named her one of the ‘6 Game-Changing Instagram Artists celebrating women of color’.  

Amongst the many things that make her an amazing talent, is how she has made it her purpose to celebrate women of color, and to use her skills as a makeup artist to empower and to inspire.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS INTERVIEW 

• Why she’s made it her mission to empower and inspire women of color through her creativity
• How cutting her hair led to her amazing career
• How dropping out of college against her parent’s wishes to follow her dreams was the best decision she ever made
• What she’s learned about having the courage to follow your dreams 
• Why we all have a responsibility to uplift and empower each other 
• The mistake that women of color are making when it comes to choosing their foundation
• Her 3 top tips for flawless makeup
• What her "I am" is

INTERVIEW LINKS

Moshoodat on Instagram: @moshoodat

Moshoodat on Twitter: @moshoodat

Moshoodat on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/msanni  

Moshoodat on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ByMoshoodat 

Moshoodat’s Website: http://www.moshoodat.com  

“We have to remember the power of one person, and what we can do.  If we can do it, then we have to do it”

My guest on this episode is award-winning filmmaker and journalist, Anjali Nayar, who is a firm believer that we all have the power to effect change…if we have the will do it.   

Anjali is a graduate of Oxford University, Columbia University, and the International Space University. She describes herself as a "storyteller and technologist who breaks the boundaries of media, science, technology and design to create positive impact in the world."

She joins me to talk about her latest documentary ‘Silas’, which she co-directed with Kenyan filmmaker Hawa Essuman.  The film profiles Liberian activist Silas Siakor, whose work has exposed land grabs and corruption in Liberia.  

Anjali also talks about the 10 years she spent making her first documentary, ‘Gun Runners’, which follows two former Kenyan tribal warriors and cattle thieves, who traded in their guns to become marathon runners.  She talks about the tragic end she could never have foreseen, and how that tragedy continues to impact her.