The NDINI Podcast

For this week’s Quick Fire round, we have corporate executive, author, professional bodybuilder and inspirational speaker Nkechi Nwafor-Robinson. 

Nkechi joined us in Episode 92 , where she shared her experience as a professional bodybuilder, and the challenges it brought to her life. She talked about how her best friend and a life-changing book helped her overcome these challenges, making her the phenomenal woman that she is now.

Nkechi, along with R&B superstar Jully Black, founded Empowered in My Skin to help other women around the world live purposefully in the comfort of their own skin. The organization works to help women find their power by helping them tap into their unique intuitive talents and creative potential. The goal is to help them to become true leaders in every aspect of their lives. Nkechi now brings her message about living fully and authentically into the corporate world. 

In this ‘not-so-quick-fire’ episode, we went off-tangent quite a lot with anecdotes, side stories, memories, but all nothing short of so much wisdom and valuable life lessons! Nkechi had so much to share. She was very open and straightforward, and also very funny. I’m sure you’ll have fun watching this episode as much as I did doing the interview!

YOU WILL LEARN:

• How Nkechi would describe herself in 3 words 
• Who she thinks of when she hears the word ‘successful’
• Her favorite book
• Her favorite gift to give and receive
• Her love for perfume
• What she loves about where she lives
• The amazing stories behind every house they have lived in
• Her favorite item of clothing
• Her favorite time of day and why
• The two people she would want to have dinner with and why
• Her favorite thing to eat 
• What she can’t get through the day without
• Her favorite app
• What she carries with her everyday
• Her choice for the theme song of her life
•  Her worst habit
• What she wishes she had more in her life

For our Quick Fire round this week, we have Monique London, owner and creative director of the all-natural and organic beauty brand London Ivy.

Monique joined us in Episode 90 where she not only talked about her beauty brand and her life as an entrepreneur, but also how she provided a space where black women are given room to take off their armor, reset, learn, and leave feeling celebrated by creating Black Beauty Brunch.

“I am not the exception for you. You don’t just have ‘Monique, the black friend.’ Monique is a black woman that represents the fact that black women are all different.” – Monique London

In this episode, we get to know a little more about Monique as she answers our Quick Fire questions, as well as an in-depth explanation on why she wants to meet (and know more about) Denzel Washington.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

• Monique’s favorite book
• Her favorite gift to give and receive
• What she loves about where she lives
• Her favorite item of clothing
• Her favorite time of day and why
• The two people she would like to have dinner with
• What she can’t get the day through without
• Her favorite place she ever visited
• Her worst habit
• Her pick for the theme song of her life

Happy New Year, everyone! The beginning of a brand new year is not the only reason we at NDINI are celebrating, but because the first episode of 2020 also happens to be our 100th episode! How awesome is that!

Looking back to the beginning, I had the idea of starting this platform for so long but never stepped in and took action until just a few years ago. This was because I was too afraid. I had always questioned myself, “Who am I to be doing this? Will people watch my interviews and stories?” But after finally taking the plunge and starting to converse with so many amazing and phenomenal women, I had learned that just like me, they too had to face fear and overcome it. 

“Fear is our number one enemy. It’s the one thing that stops us from stepping into our greatness, stepping into our calling, stepping into everything we were meant to be.” - Sandra Chuma

In this special episode, I talk about our journey from before the first episode until reaching a hundred. I talk about the fears I had to face, the fears that came true and happened, and how I took action and overcame it leading to what NDINI has become now. I have cried many tears and have been challenged in ways I had never imagined. It’s been a very challenging journey, but also at the same time a very fulfilling journey. The growth I have experienced throughout this journey is amazing -- the amazing people I have met, the people that supported and continue to support this platform, the lives that have changed and been inspired through the stories that we tell -- all of which are the reason we reflect and celebrate this special milestone of reaching 100 episodes. Furthermore, I talk about my dreams for NDINI, because I believe that this platform is going to go beyond telling stories and inspiring people.

Also, I definitely did something different in this episode, something I’ve never done before. Long-time NDINI followers would know about our Quick Fire Q&A segment where I ask our guests questions to give us a chance to get to know them even more on a lighter note. For this 100th episode, I got to answer my own Quick Fire round! Make sure you watch till the end.

I just want to say THANK YOU. Thank you for being with me on this journey for the last 100 episodes. Thank you to every single who has sent me messages of encouragement on the days I just didn’t think I could carry on to continue this platform, on the days I just didn't know what I was doing. Thank you for your encouragement. Thank you for listening, watching, sharing, and supporting us. And a huge thank you to the women who have willingly given us their time to share their stories, to share inspiration to this community.

Don’t forget that we are also celebrating by giving away our first eBook for free! Make sure you grab a copy! You can do that by clicking on the eBook banner on our home page, or by visiting last week’s episode.

As a special year end surprise for all of you, NDINI is launching our very first ebook! And it’s absolutely FREE!

This ebook features highlights from our conversations, including some of the ones you’ll see in this episode. You’ll also get my personal insights and takeaways from these powerful conversations. What a wonderful way to end the year and start 2020 with this inspiring and empowering ebook!

NDINI has always been a platform of inspiration and empowerment. We share the stories of bold, inspiring, trailblazing, and influential women of color. Since starting this platform, I’ve had conversations with women from all walks of life. And each one of them in their own way is defining and changing the narrative of what it means to be a woman of African descent. 

In this very special year end episode, we’ve gathered some valuable life lessons and words of wisdom that these phenomenal women shared with us.

YOU WILL LEARN

• Dr. Nothabe Ncube’s definition of purpose
• Zahara’s insights on following your dreams and purpose
• Chidiogo Akunyili-Parr’s greatest struggle
• Catherine Addai’s wisdom and legacy to her children
• Mpumi Nobiva’s powerful mindset on facing life’s most difficult challenges
• Diarra Bousso Niang’s insight on taking the leap of faith
• Farai Simoyi’s insight on the power of belief
• Gugu Nkabinde’s struggle with self-doubt and overcoming it
• Dr. Timiebi Aganaba-Jeanty’s insights on taking on leadership and initiative
• Yemi Alade’s insight on owning the mentality of the person you want to be
• Kirsty Coventry’s insights on perspective and defining your own success
• Sindy Zemura-Bernard’s insights on dealing with fear
• Anjali Nayar’s ‘I am…’

For our Quick Fire round this week, we have CEO and Founder of Makeup For Melanin Girls (MFMG Cosmetics), Tomi Gbeleyi.

We featured Tomi in Episode 78 where she talked about her journey in creating her own beauty brand that specifically caters to the needs of dark-skinned women. She was driven by her own experience as a young runway model when makeup artists had difficulty figuring out how to work the makeup for a model of her ethnicity.

She had also learned that most multi-ethnic women with darker skin like herself would just “hack” the existing catalogue of commercial makeup by mixing products to achieve the color and look that would match their skin tone. This led her to create her own own community on social media, eventually creating her own brand.

“I’m making more women around the world feel confident that they can do things, more women that can say ‘I can’… more women feeling beautiful and confident to take on whatever challenges come in their way.” – Tomi Gbeleyi

In this episode, we get to hear Tomi’s quickfire answers, as well as some of her interesting and funny stories that includes an ‘expected yet unexpected’ wedding proposal.

YOU WILL LEARN:

• Tomi’s favorite book
• Her favorite gift to give and receive
• How her fiance proposed to her
• What she loves about where she lives
• Her favorite item of clothing
• Her favorite time of day and why
• The two people she would like to have dinner with
• What she can’t get the day through without
• Why the screensaver on phone is special
• Her favorite place she ever visited
• Her worst habit
• Her pick for the theme song of her life

Next on our Quick Fire Q&A series this month is supermodel, actress, and motivational speaker, Nini Amerlise.

This phenomenal woman was our guest in Episode 72 where she talked about how she got started in the modeling industry, and her journey to her success and the person that she is now. Despite a rocky start in modeling, Nini did not let her challenges bring her down and worked hard to pursue her passion relentlessly. She has achieved several recognitions, features, and honors including being named the Rising Star Model of the Year by African Fashion Organization in 2016. Nini also was the Inaugural winner of Supermodel Canada (TV series), making her the first black woman to win a modelling competition of this caliber in the entire Canadian demographic.

“Consistency is really what births the fruits of greatness. From consistency, you see the fruits of all your work that will be done.” – Nini Amerlise

In this Quick Fire episode, we get to know Nini a bit more on the lighter side, including (of course) her favorite item of clothing, favorite food, favorite place she had visited, what she can’t get through the day without, her pick for the theme song of her life, and why she dreams to become the face of Chanel.

It’s the time of the year again where we get to kick back and have a little fun with our guests. It’s time for our Quick Fire Q&A series! In this series of Quick Fire rounds, we get the chance to know our amazing guests even more on a lighter and even quirkier level with their “top of the head” answers. Make sure you don’t miss this, you might learn a thing or two about these phenomenal women that would surprise you!

First on our Quick Fire Q&A feature is stand-up comic and writer Hoodo Hersi. She was such a delightful guest in Episode 70 where she shared her experiences and valuable insight being a minority in the comedy industry. Hoodo brought in a refreshing standpoint on how resilient African women are and why we shouldn’t let other people’s expectations hold us back from speaking our truth and sharing our humor in this complicated yet incredible world. 

“I want people to laugh, but I also want people to really think. I care about getting laughs, but also want to challenge people’s ideas -- in a good way.” Hoodo Hersi

But in this Quick Fire episode, Hoodo shares a wide range of random things -- from favorite gifts, clothing, morning routines, to who she wants to have dinner with, skin care, and her serious love for sweets.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

• How Hoodo describes herself in 3 words
• Her definition of success
• Her ‘favorite’ book
• Her favorite gift to give and receive
• What she loves about where she lives
• Her favorite item of clothing
• Her favorite time of day and why
• Her morning and night routine
• The people she would want to have dinner with
• What she can’t through the day without
• Her phone, favorite app, and what’s in her purse
• Her pick for the theme song of her life

"Anything is possible. You don't have to live limited by the fear of what you don't know or what you don't understand. That was what this was about -- breaking barriers." - Seun Adigun

Seun is an Olympic athlete, who is the former 100m hurdles Nigerian and African Champion.  She’s also now an Olympic record holder! Seun Adigun is the first African to ever compete at both summer and winter Olympic Games.

Seun and her team mates Akuoma Omeoga and Ngozi Onwumere made history at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Korea as the first team to ever represent Nigeria at a winter Olympics. This was despite the team having been formed less than two years earlier.

"It was an oath that we felt to the country of Nigeria and to the continent of Africa that there's no way that we should be in the year 2018 and an entire continent is not represented in a sport. We had an opportunity, and I helped create the pathway for us to be able to actually do that." - Seun Adigun

But before she was bobsledder, she was a 100m Olympic hurdler, who competed at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.  Leading up to the Olympics, Seun was in what she describes as the best shape of her life. But she developed a stress fracture in her leg shortly before the Olympic games. Doctors advised her against competing, fearing that her leg would break. But Seun wasn’t willing to let her many years of training go to waste, and she competed against her doctor’s advice. But sheer will wasn’t enough – the games ended with her most disappointing competitive performance ever.

It was while Seun was recovering from her injury and thinking about what to do next that she tried bobsledding for the first time.

"Sometimes being able to compete, or being able to do your best, being able to defy odds and break barriers and create a movement and motivate millions of people is so much more of a victory than any medal can give you." - Seun Adigun

And while she’s most known for her athletic pursuits, Seun recently completed her Doctorate of Chiropractic (all while training for the Olympics!), and she’s planning on opening an injury prevention and rehabilitation clinic.

• How Seun went from being an Olympic hurdler to an Olympic Bobsledder
• What bobsled is, and how Seun chose the sport
• How Seun convinced her team mates Akuoma and Ngozi to join her in forming Nigeria’s first bobsled team
• The roles each team member plays when they’re doing a run in their bobsled
• The amazing way the team was able to train for their first bobsled race…without ever setting foot on the ice

• The greatest lesson Seun learnt from her disappointing performance at the 2012 summer Olympics
• Why she’s so passionate about the work that she’s doing with the Bobsled & Skeleton Federation of Nigeria
• Whether she’s planning to compete at the next winter Olympics
• What Seun’s biggest dream is
• What her ‘I am…” is

"Athletics builds character, discipline, hard work, and confidence... From athletics, I have made amazing connections. I have started different businesses. And for me, that's even greater than just saying 'I am an Olympian.'" - Tabia Charles Collins

Tabia started with playing soccer and dancing as a young girl, but one that stood out about her in those early years is how fast she was. This got her into track and field, in which she proved to be really good at. She soon also got into long and triple jump, and her athletic competence and success had gotten the attention of several scholarship offers. 

Tabia chose University of Miami where she underwent even more intense and rigorous training. Despite being a full time student and competing athlete, Tabia’s amazing hard work and discipline got her to graduate with honors, AND in only three years! 

"My goal was to get out there and to work, and to show them what this Canadian girl is made of." - Tabia Charles Collins

Apart from her several titles for Indoor Long Jump, Triple Jump, and Outdoor Triple Jump from 2004-2006, Tabia claimed the 2006 NCAA Outdoor Championship in the Triple Jump.

After setting the Candian record for long jump in 2008, she qualified to join the 2008 Olympics in Beijing for the same event. Tabia finished tenth in the final round at the Women's Long Jump event. She was then set to prepare for the 2012 London Olympics when she unfortunately had a major accident during her training that would completely change the course of her athletic career and life. The major injury on her ankle had forced her to give up her career as a professional athlete.

In this episode, Tabia talks about what this meant for her, how she struggled and dealt with this reality, how she moved on, and has now dedicated her life to change other people’s lives by being a living example. 

"Take your time to heal a little bit. Take your time to make decisions, make better choices instead of rushing into what you think you have to do." - Tabia Charles Collins

In 2019, Tabia has been officially indicted in the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame. She still currently holds University of Miami records for Indoor Long Jump (6.52m), Indoor Triple Jump (13.65m) and Outdoor Triple Jump (13.94m).

She pursued her passion in fashion designing and created her own clothing line, Anisah by Tabia Charles. She and her husband also founded Team Collins Training & Development to train and mentor young athletes. Tabia is also working on becoming a life coach and does motivational speaking.

"It is great to aspire to be an Olympian, a superstar athlete beyond the circuit. But it's also important to know that if you don't achieve those things, other amazing things will come from athletics." - Tabia Charles Collins

YOU WILL LEARN:

• Tabia’s upbringing as a young athlete in school
• How she found her sport and trained to be the best at it
• How her amazing athletic competence and success at a young age had gotten the attention of several scholarship offers 
• What her intense rigorous training at Miami University was like
• How she was able to accomplish being a  full time student and competing athlete at the same time
• How she graduated with honors in only three years!
• How she broke Canadian records in long jump and triple jump!
• How she qualified for the 2008 Olympics and her experience as an Olympian
• Tabia’s unfortunate major accident that changed her life and career as an athlete
• How she dealt with this reality, discovering her new journey and purpose 
• Her valuable advice to aspiring athletes
• Her goals and dreams 
• Her “I AM…”

"We don't look at the dolls as a toy. We look at the dolls as a tool. It is an educational tool. It is a tool that black children will use to empower themselves." - Caroline Hlahla

When her business partner’s two-year old daughter asked for a peg and pillowcase so she could have long, flowy hair and a pointed nose, just like her dolls -- they knew that they had to do something! Caroline Hlahla and her business partner Khulile Vilakazi-Ofosu set to work to figure out how they could help young African girls to embrace their natural beauty, and be comfortable in their own skin.  

The two had started Bounce Essential Hair one year earlier, focused on selling 100% natural textured hair extensions for black women.

In 2016, Caroline and Khulile launched Sibahle Collection. The brand names comes from the Zulu word which means ‘we are beautiful’. They wanted the dolls to represent the beauty of black children.  

The dolls, which are vanilla scented, come in a variety of skin tones and with different textures of hair.  

"What we really need to do is to address the problem up front and get our children dolls that look like them -- that their features look like them, their hair looks like theirs -- so they can really just embrace their natural beauty." - Caroline Hlahla

But the journey has not been easy. In this episode, Caroline shares some of the challenges they’ve faced along the way, and the reaction they’ve received to the dolls since launching the collection (hint – their dolls have sold out multiple times!)

"What I used to be afraid of when I first started this venture was failure. But I've learned through failure, I have grown so much more." - Caroline Hlahla

• What made Caroline and Khulile decide to launch the Sibahle doll collection
• How they went from idea to actually having dolls available 
• What features they wanted the dolls to have, and why this was important
• Why they decided to make the dolls vanilla scented
• The reactions they’ve received from little girls, as well as their parents

• The biggest challenges they faced on their journey
• Their audacious dream for Sibahle Collection
• What brings Caroline the greatest joy
• What Caroline’s greatest fear is
• What Caroline’s “I am” is

• Sibahle Collection Website
• Sibahle Collection on Instagram
• Sibahle Collection on Facebook
• Bounce Essential Hair Website
• Bounce Essential Hair on Instagram
• Bounce Essential Hair on Facebook 

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