The Ubuntu Podcast

We're back! In our first episode of Season 2, co-hosts David Curtiss, Nati Bulcho and Henock Yilma host a conversation with our good friend, Abner Bropleh on his return to his family's homeland of Liberia. Abner shares what inspired him to make the big move along with some of the biggest lessons he's learned along the way.

Please see the below reference links from this episode's Africa In the News segment!

1. The Telegraph: Investigation: African migrants 'left to die' in Saudi Arabia’s hellish Covid detention centres

2. The New Humanitarian - Thousands of African migrants smuggled into Saudi Arabia, say community leaders

We're back! In our first episode of Season 2, co-hosts David Curtiss, Nati Bulcho and Henock Yilma host a conversation with our good friend, Abner Bropleh on his return to his family's homeland of Liberia. Abner shares what inspired him to make the big move along with some of the biggest lessons he's learned along the way.

Please see the below reference links from this episode's Africa In the News segment!

1. The Telegraph: Investigation: African migrants 'left to die' in Saudi Arabia’s hellish Covid detention centres

2. The New Humanitarian - Thousands of African migrants smuggled into Saudi Arabia, say community leaders

Our season finale! In Part 2 of Episode 8, Nati Bulcho the Ubuntu Podcast continues his conversation with Isaac Cudjoe, a Ghanian American who started the organization called the Return Movement, which seeks to help members of the diaspora reconnect and reengage with their places of origin. In part 2, we hear more on Isaac's personal career trajectory and how it led him to start the Return Movement. You can learn more about the Return Movement here.

We also have a very special segment to tap off our first season - featuring a DNA ancestry reveal from our very own co-host, David Curtiss! Listen in to hear more.

In this two part series, the Ubuntu Podcast shares a conversation with Isaac Cudjoe, a Ghanian American who started the organization called the Return Movement, which seeks to help members of the diaspora reconnect and reengage with their places of origin. In part 1, we hear about Isaac's personal story and what it was look growing up in the United States as a member of the African diaspora.

Some relevant links from the episode are below:

Africa In the News Segment:

• BBC: History of Marcus Garvey

• The Exodus Alliance: 6 Organizations Align to Bring 1 Million Families back to Africa

Main Interview with Isaac

• The American Intern

• The Return Movement

• Brothers With Books

What is colonialism? And what are some of the impacts that it has on us as members of the African diaspora? What are some of the long-term effects of colonialism in diaspora societies today? In this episode, David, Dau and Henock discuss what they learned about colonialism in their own upbringings along with why we see it as an important conversation to hold within our community.

Links from this episode's Africa In the News segment are also below:

• Burundi opposition takes presidential election dispute to court

• Floods cause destruction in Burundi amid the COVID-19 pandemic

• WHO seeking further details on staff expulsion from Burundi

Welcome to The Ubuntu Podcast's first-ever Ubuntu MINI! Short, bite-sized episodes curated by one of our co-hosts following a theme of their choosing related to Africa and the African Diaspora.

This Ubuntu MINI is brought to you by David, where in his segment entitled Africa Creates, David will be highlighting key projects and works of art in Africa and the Diaspora's Creative industry. For this episode, he talks about the critically acclaimed Senegalese film, Atlantique (Atlantics), and why it's a must-see movie for everyone.

LINKS:

https://www.netflix.com/search?q=atlant&jbv=81082007&jbp=0&jbr=0

In part 2 of "Development Talks," our co-hosts continue their discussion of the international development sector and its impact on the African continent. Hear more from our special guest co-host, Meriam Salem!

In the first episode of a two-part series, our co-hosts are discussing the international development sector. Particularly, how Africa is portrayed through the gaze around aid, development, charity. We feature our special guest co-host, Meriam Salem, as we tell our perspective as Africans within the system.

For more information on the topics discussed, please review the following links:

Africans in Guangzhou are on edge, after many are left homeless amid rising xenophobia as China fights a second wave of coronavirus

https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/10/china/africans-guangzhou-china-coronavirus-hnk-intl/index.html

African Nations, US Decry Racism Against Blacks in China

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2020-04-11/african-nations-us-say-blacks-mistreated-in-chinese-city

In this episode, our three co-hosts are discussing a complicated, necessary, and at times, uncomfortable, topic: exploring the Diaspora Divide, most specifically between African-Americans and different African immigrant communities. Pulling on each of their lived experiences and calling into question many systems and institutions responsible for the separation, Dau, David, & Henock go deep on why there's consistently tension amongst many of us, and how and why we must overcome it. Also, an in-depth Africa In The News Segment on COVID-19 in Africa and the many issues it is causing in Uganda, and how YOU can help by supporting Building Hope Project!

For more information on the topics discussed, please review the following links:

COVID-19 Africa Update: https://www.africanews.com/2020/04/10/coronavirus-in-africa-breakdown-of-infected-virus-free-countries/

David's Building Hope Project-Uganda Rapid Response Fundraiser: https://buildinghopeproject.org/covid-19

COVID-19 In Uganda Violates Human Rights: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/29/coronavirus-uganda-used-to-lockdowns-poor-healthcare-but-we-are-terrified

https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/04/02/uganda-respect-rights-covid-19-response#

Ugandan Health Workers Lead COVID-19 Fight:

https://www.statnews.com/2020/03/28/community-health-workers-lead-covid-19-fight-uganda/

Why African Immigrants Should Celebrate Black History Month: https://blavity.com/why-african-immigrants-are-indebted-to-black-americans?category1=black-history&subCat=editorial-desk

In this episode, Ubuntu is excited to present to you a conversation with two incredible women, Mercy Erhiawarien and Idara Ikafia, from Heritage Africa. In honor of Women's History Month, take a listen as your favorite squad dives deep into discussions on girls and women on the continent of Africa, how men can be better allies, and what we can all learn from incredible African women around the world. Also, get updates around how the COVID-19 pandemic is taking shape across Africa. For more learning:

Africa in the News:

• South Africa: 'National State of Disaster,' President Says https://www.voanews.com/science-health/coronavirus-outbreak/south-africa-national-state-disaster-president-says

• Ethiopia: EthioTelecom's Awareness Campaign https://twitter.com/lia_tadesse/status/1241683825509445634

• Covid-19: How will the coronavirus affect Africa's economy? - BBC Africa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNgGZKe4c9o&t=81s

• WHO Health Emergencies Programs Executive Director - Dr. Michael Ryan: "Speed Trumps Perfection:" https://twitter.com/skynews/status/1238504143104421888?lang=en

• WHO Director General - Dr. Tedros Adhanom: WHO head tells Africa to 'wake up' to coronavirus threat: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-51960118

From Our Interview:

• Heritage Africa: https://www.heritageafrica.org/

• Maternal death rate among black women 2.5 times higher than white women, new report finds: https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/wellness/story/maternal-death-rate-black-women-25-times-higher-68640368

• The Bright Continent: Breaking Rules and Making Change in Modern Africa: https://www.amazon.com/Bright-Continent-Breaking-Making-Change/dp/0547678312