The Ubuntu Podcast

In this episode, we discuss the impact of authoritarianism in Africa, with a focus on the wider implications of Nigeria's #EndSARS movement across the continent. We hear from our special guest,Juliet Ihediohanma.

After graduating from college, Juliet moved to Chicago for three years where she initially worked as an Academy Coordinator at a youth residential treatment facility, then later as a Refugee Employment Specialist at a refugee community partner organization. Her favorite part of living in Chicago was taking walks on the 606 and at the lakefront trail, as well as exploring different Chicago neighborhoods.

Juliet is currently pursuing her Master of Public Administration at Columbia University. She is passionate about issues related to refugee and immigrant rights, gender equity, racial justice, and the economic empowerment of historically disenfranchised groups. She hopes to focus on these issues through a career in policy advocacy.

Juliet enjoys reading in her free time. Her favorite book is Beloved by Toni Morrison, and for those looking to start a new book, she recommends Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga.

For many years we’ve heard that Africa is full of young talent and is burgeoning with innovation that will change the continent and ultimately the world. In this episode, we interviewed Max Ateba, a young African who is deeply involved in the work of cultivating the human capital of the continent and supporting the development of young innovative talent that exists!

In Part 2 of this episode, Henock & David continue their discussion on what it means to be Black & Immigrant, this time globally. We share similarities and differences that black immigrants face worldwide along with the common terms and misconceptions in the global migration narrative.

Episode links:

Africa Migration Report: https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/africa-migration-report.pdf

UNHCR Glossary:

https://www.unhcr.org/449267670.pdf

Key Migration Terms:

https://www.iom.int/key-migration-terms

Paris ‘Spider-Man’ Saves Young Boy. Cue Debate on Migrants:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/28/world/europe/paris-migrant-hero-spiderman.html

Windrush generation: Who are they and why are they facing problems?

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-43782241

In Part 1 of a 2-part episode, Henock & David sit down to discuss what it means to be Black & Immigrant within the USA, and the tensions, misconceptions, and experiences that come with that intersection. They also dialogue on what must be done to continue to build understanding and solidarity within the Black American community and amongst the African Diaspora. They are joined by first generation Haitian-American and Development Professional, Joel Malebranche.

Episode links:

Ousman Darboe could be deported any day. His story is a common one for black immigrants: https://www.vox.com/identities/2019/9/30/20875821/black-immigrants-school-prison-deportation-pipeline

What Does it Mean to Be a Black Immigrant in the United States?:

https://www.ilctr.org/what-does-it-mean-to-be-black-immigrant-united-states/

Black Immigrant Lives Are Under Attack:

https://www.raicestexas.org/2020/07/22/black-immigrant-lives-are-under-attack/

Ice flies African asylum seekers to Nairobi in last-minute deportation push:

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/16/ice-african-deportation-flight-asylum-seekers-nairobi

Black Alliance for Just Immigration: https://baji.org/

ACLU & Immigration: https://www.aclu.org/issues/immigrants-rights

UndocuBlack Network: https://undocublack.org/

If it's anything 2020 has taught us, it's that our mental health is key. 🔑 In this episode (our first episode of THE YEAR with Tambo Silavwe, we discuss mental health & the African Diaspora. We talk about wellness & the movement for Black Lives, generational trauma, expanding emotional vocabularies, and much more. Are you ready to go beyond stigma and learn how we can support each other in acknowledging and caring for our mental wellbeing as Black/African people? Then stream this episode!

Africa In the News Links:

• A Liberian man was shackled because of his mental illness — and he's not alone

• Kept in chains: People with mental illness shackled in 60 nations

• Sick and Chained: Plight of Countless Africans With Mental Health Conditions

In Part 2 of our Year in Review, David, Nati and Henock continue their reflections and share the political, social and economic trends they expect to see across the African diaspora in the next year. We wish all of you a Happy New Year!

2020 has been a wild year for all of us. In this episode, David, Nati and Henock share their reflections from the year along with trends they expect to see across the African diaspora in the next year.

Africa In the News

• Joe Biden Has Promised to End Trump's Muslim and African 'Travel Ban.' But Its Legacy Will Be Felt for Years

In Part 2 of this episode, we hear from David Turner, another incredible Black community organizer from the Los Angeles area.

For more information on the topics discussed in this episode, please visit the following links below:

• #ResistCapitalism to #FundBlackFutures: Black Youth, Political Economy, and the 21st Century Black Radical Imagination

As we near the end of 2020, we continue to reflect on the role that black organizers play amidst all the global injustice faced by the black community. In this episode, we hear from Rahje Branch, community organization from Black Lives Matter Los Angeles and Dimah Mahmoud, founder of #AfricaWeek2020 & The Nubian Collective.

For more information on the topics discussed in this episode, please visit the following links below:

1. Kamala Harris and Black Women Voters Helped Joe Biden Get Elected. Here's How America Can Do Right by Them

2. 6 Black women organizers on what happened in Georgia — and what comes next

3. Stacey Abrams says efforts against voter suppression made 'the difference' in Georgia

4. Sudan sit-in: How protesters picked a spot and made it theirs

5. Sudan: A Year On, Justice Needed for Crackdowns

In this special election themed episode, we are joined by Kamani Harris, a community organizer from South Central Los Angeles (LA) and Sharpy Maluba, an international development student at American University with experience working in civic engagement in his home country of Zambia. Both Kamani and Sharpy share their thoughts on the challenges and hopes ahead for diaspora civic engagement along with how we can collectively utilize our voices at the polls.