Third Culture Africans

In this episode of Third Culture Africans, Zeze interviews Kennedy Ekezie-Joseph, a young entrepreneur and CEO of Kippa. They delve into Kennedy's journey, highlighting his passion for creating socio-economic prosperity in Africa and how his background in philosophy and debating has influenced his success. From being a former national debate champion to working with TikTok and Accenture, Kennedy's career path shaped his latest venture, Kippa, a fintech startup based in Nigeria. Kippa raised an impressive $3.2 million in pre-seed funding, making it one of Africa's largest early-stage fund-raises. The conversation covers the challenges of fundraising for startups and the significance of focusing on small businesses in Africa, showcasing Kennedy's dedication to empowering them with efficient financial tools through Kippa. The episode emphasizes knowing your business, understanding investors, and tailoring pitches for success, inspiring young entrepreneurs with a vision for change.  Join Zeze and Kennedy as they explore fintech, entrepreneurship, and the power of a youthful mindset with a vision for change.

🌍 Available now at https://thirdcultureafricans.com/

📲 Get in touch with Zeze: 💬 - https://www.zezeonline.com/

🙏 Thank you Malée Natural Science for the support: 🌿 - https://maleeonline.com/

In this episode, Zeze engages in an inspiring conversation with Chaneen Saliee, a courageous mumfluencer, discussing the importance of embracing creative passions, vulnerability in self-expression, and navigating the challenges of balancing motherhood with a successful career. Chaneen fearlessly shares her motherhood journey, promoting empowerment and support for women while challenging societal norms. Her diverse African heritage and early passion for writing have shaped her unique voice, as she explores self-acceptance and healing, defying cultural barriers. Through candid self-expression, Chaneen finds catharsis and connection, uplifting her audience and advocating for breastfeeding and community support. Her journey serves as a powerful testament to the rewards of embracing vulnerability and openness in pursuing one's dreams.

🌍 Full show notes at https://thirdcultureafricans.com/

📲 Get in touch with Zeze: 💬

🙏 Thank you Malée Natural Science for the support: 🌿

In this episode, host Zeze Oriaikhi-Sao sits down with Nigerian fashion industry professional Sharmaine Aderemi for an inspiring conversation. Sharmaine takes us on a remarkable journey, from her humble beginnings as a receptionist to becoming a Talent Director, all while integrating African talent into the fashion industry. Her story defies societal norms as she became a young mother and pursued her dreams with authenticity and passion. Join us as we delve into the power of embracing one's true self and discover the resilience, passion, and pursuit of dreams that define Sharmaine's incredible career. Be sure to subscribe and tune in to this empowering exploration of personal growth and success.

🌍 Available now at https://thirdcultureafricans.com/

📲 Get in touch with Zeze: 💬

🙏 Thank you Malée Natural Science for the support: 🌿

Join Zeze Oriaikhi-Sao in an engaging conversation with Bukky Asehinde, the Founder of Bellafricana, as they dive into the world of entrepreneurship and creativity in the African market. 

Discover Bukky's inspiring journey as an immigrant entrepreneur, her passion for showcasing African creativity, and her mission to empower and support fellow entrepreneurs. Gain valuable insights into the power of digital marketing, data-driven decision-making, and the crucial role of community in supporting and empowering entrepreneurs. 

This episode is filled with motivation, lessons learned, and practical advice for anyone looking to start or grow their own business. Tune in and get ready to be inspired!

If you are an African fashion, beauty or lifestyle brand based in the UK and want to be part of the 10 amazing brands to reserve a spot, please go HERE  

Available now at thirdcultureafricans.com

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Thank you Malée Natural Science for the support: 🙏🌿

In this inspiring episode of Third Culture Africans, Dr. Ateh Jewel and Chaneen Saliee join host Zeze Oriaikhi-Sao to explore the transformative power of authenticity and self-expression. Sharing their experiences as Black African women, they delve into topics such as cultural identity, success, activism, and motherhood. Dr. Ateh Jewel discusses her journey as a renowned journalist and diversity advocate, challenging beauty standards and empowering others. Chaneen Saliee reflects on her path of self-discovery as a writer, poet, and empowerment coach, emphasizing the importance of uplifting and inspiring others. Together, they highlight the significance of activism, finding balance, and embracing one's authentic self. 

Available now at thirdcultureafricans.com

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Thank you Malée Natural Science for the support: 🙏🌿

Join host Zeze Oriaikhi-Sao as she interviews Lydia Amoah, a multi-talented individual and leading authority on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Lydia shares her captivating career journey, emphasising the value of every black consumer and sharing anecdotes that showcase her fearless and inquisitive attitude. Inspired by Dr. Dennis Kimbro, she founded The Black Pound Report, driving conversations on diversity and inclusion in business. Discover Lydia's remarkable experiences, from college leadership to managing celebrities in Italy. This episode is an inspiring exploration of resilience, empowerment, and the pursuit of excellence. Tune in for a dose of motivation and insights into Lydia's thriving career.

Available now at thirdcultureafricans.com

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Thank you Malée Natural Science for the support: 🙏🌿

Dive into the vibrant and thriving world of African fashion in this special episode of Third Culture Africans, recorded live at the iconic Shoreditch House. 🎙️ Join host Zeze Oriaikhi-Sao and guests Lisa, Denola, Nkwo, and Arieta as they share their inspiring journeys and insights into the industry. 💫 From building brands with authenticity, consistency, and hard work to exploring the concept of African fashion and its interpretation, this conversation delves into the challenges, triumphs, and opportunities in the fashion world. 🚀 Discover the importance of collaboration, fashion weeks, e-commerce, and storytelling, while gaining valuable perspectives on scale, growth, and brand recognition. 🌟 Prepare to be inspired by these warm African hearts shaping the future of fashion in our very first live-recorded podcast episode at Shoreditch House. 🎧💥

Available now at thirdcultureafricans.com

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Thank you Malée Natural Science for the support: 🙏🌿

Welcome to Season 3 of Third Culture Africans! We're kicking off with host Zeze Oriaikhi-Sao engaging in enlightening discussions with British-Nigerian authors Ore Agbaje-Williams and Nancy Adimora. This episode delves into their respective journeys in the literary world, from Ore's anticipation for her debut novel to Nancy's dedication to amplifying African narratives through AFREADA. United in their passion for authentic storytelling, they offer insights into their collaborative project – “Of This Our Country,” shedding light on the diverse perceptions of Nigeria from acclaimed authors. Don't miss out on this exploration of the power of maintaining one's unique voice in storytelling – remember to subscribe!

Available now at thirdcultureafricans.com

Get in touch with Zeze: 📲💬

Thank you Malée Natural Science for the support: 🙏🌿

Welcome to Season 3 of Third Culture Africans! This season, host Zeze Oriaikhi-Sao is taking you deeper into the lives and journeys of successful Africans in the diaspora. Expect engaging conversations with a dynamic range of guests, from entrepreneurs and artists, to writers and innovators, each sharing their unique experiences and insights. As always, our guests continue to challenge the status quo, break barriers, and shape the global narrative of Africa and Africans. Season 3 is an exploration of resilience, creativity, and the African spirit of ingenuity, further broadening the scope of our stories and impact in the world. Tune in to discover, connect, and get inspired!

Full show notes: 📝🔗 https://thirdcultureafricans.com/

Get in touch with Zeze: 📲💬 https://www.zezeonline.com/

Thank you Malée Natural Science for the support: 🙏🌿 https://maleeonline.com/

In this episode, Zeze interviews Efua Akumanyi, a Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence expert, Co-Founder and CTO of Furnishful, a shopping discovery site for furniture and homewares. She talks about her beginning in the IT world, the choice of her career, and how important  it is for her to help other black women to succeed in their business.

Efua Akumanyi found a way to stand out, firstly from her family's career choices and later on as a black woman in the Tech niche. She pursued a career where women, especially black females, were not so popular. She started a path in which women have the opportunity to use technology to improve their businesses and become successful in what they want to.

Furthermore, she understands the need of having solid bases to build a successful business. Tech is a key component to make it easy, no matter if you are selling a product or a service. You need to find a tool that suits the business you have. There is no point in coding if you do not need it. Knowing what you want and what you require is fundamental when hiring someone to develop your website. Plus, doing follow-ups, providing feedback and communicating as often as possible will give you the sense of control and knowledge you need to improve and get what you want to achieve as regards your business goals. 

Efua Akumanyi graduated from Sussex with a degree in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence and went on to work as a software developer for 15 years. She has also worked as a contractor in various fields including medical, legal, charity and ecommerce. Currently, she is the Co-Founder & Head of Technology at www.furnishful.co.uk. a website which helps people find items of furniture for their homes. Her passion is to encourage other women into tech, whether it’s finding jobs in the industry or starting their own business. She is a member of several women in tech groups and speaks on subjects ranging from AI to entrepreneurship.

Highlights of the episode:

• 03:25: Efua Akumanyi’s  migration to the UK from Ghana at her early age and how it impacted on her career path.
• 5:45: Efua tells Zeze about how and why she selected her career in Computer Science, her passions and her ideas about her professional future.
• 7:15: Efua´s understanding of the impact her career choice would provoke on the Tech world for black women.
• 10:55: She states the Pros and Cons of her career choice in the furniture niche.
• 12:30 : The need of coding against already-built tech tools, both for products and services.
• 13: 55: Efua tells how she started coding for black female businesses.
• 15:55: Her passion about photography and how it is connected to her work in the furniture world.
• 18:00 She speaks about her visibility online, her cofounded business and her resources to build a successful business while helping black women to succeed as well.
• 24:45 : Efua provides some pieces of advice for women entrepreneurs when they need to hire someone to build their website. What to do with a low budget and legal issues to pay attention to. 

Mentioned Resources

• Third Culture Africans
• furnishful.co.uk
• codingblackfemales.com