Third Culture Africans

Morolake Akinosun is a Nigerian track and field athlete who grew up in the US and became a gold medalist in the Rio Olympics. She is a Nike sprinter, a 4-time NCAA champion, a Pan-American games gold medalist, and a Junior Championships gold medalist. She is also known as @misfasttwitch on social media. 

Perseverance, talent, and an ability to negotiate are all part of the qualities athletes must have to be successful in the professional setting. Overcoming external challenges that have nothing to do with talent and more with marketing concerns is also part of the trade. However, setting a goal and not giving up on yourself can make all the difference between pushing forward or giving up.

Morolake Akinosun is not one to accept things she hasn’t earned. When she was unable to classify for the Beijing Olympics representing the United States, she was offered a spot in the Nigerian team. She wouldn’t have had to compete for it because a spot for her was guaranteed. However, she decided to continue her training and try again for the US team to go to the Rio Olympics. There, she became an Olympic gold medalist.

Morolake sheds light on the inequalities in the US and the athletic world. Her experience as a  Black woman in the US has made her realize that Black women are always seen as less valuable until they prove their worth. In addition, there is patent gender inequality in the athletic world, which refers to differences in payment but also what is expected of them. While big personalities are valued in men, looks are the most important thing when it comes to women.

Highlights of the episode:

• 03:19: Morolake Akinosun’s beginnings as a track and field athlete and the road that brought her to become an Olympic gold medalist.  
• 06:29: Morolake grew up in the US but she considers Nigerian culture as a part of her, with every aspect of it being ingrained in who she is.
• 16:32: Talent and performance are not the only considerations behind a shoe contract for a track and field athlete. Personality and, unfortunately in the case of women, their looks can be the deciding factor.
• 17:42: Before social media existed, athletes were the original influencers, selling all types of products through ads and sponsorships. This was the biggest way for them to have a steady income. Today, track and field athletes make most of their money from shoe contracts and races. 
• 20:59: Being a Black woman in America generally means being seen as “lesser than”. Black women are often only considered valuable once they have accomplished something.
• 23:47: Gender inequality is strongly present in the athletic world, and it goes beyond differences in payment. Morolake has observed that male athletes are expected to have big personalities while women are expected to be beautiful.
• 42:29: Training is the time to think about the things to improve but once in the race, it is time to focus on what is going on right there, maintaining a clear mind at all times.
• 45:23: For Morolake, the best part of her career are the beautiful places she has seen and the amazing people she has met. They have become an important part of her journey.

Mentioned Resources

• Third Culture Africans
• Malée
• @msfasttwitch

Abdel Abdulai is a portrait lifestyle photographer better known as @boyfromdagbon who carved a name for himself as a street photographer. He has had the opportunity to shoot for some of the biggest publications such as GQ and Esquire. He now is not only a photographer but also an influencer well-known for his style and talent.

This episode is all about street photography, fashion, and the stories that can be told through the lens of the talented Abdel Abdulai. He started his professional life in IT but his creativity and fashion style were always a part of him. After the opportunity to be in Paris’ Fashion Week as a photographer arose, he decided to make photography a part of his life. After a time juggling both IT and photography, he made the switch, which was a smooth transition for him.

Abdel became involved in street photography back in 2010, before Instagram was the giant that it is today. Back then, black African photographers were rare in the fashion industry and their sense of style made them stand out from the rest. Today, as numerous artists bring African fashion and culture into the mainstream, representation is a lot more prevalent.

Abdel has also focused on showing African faces and stories to the rest of the world. His love for portraits has allowed him to capture beautiful images in the continent, with the goal of showcasing the faces that make Africa what it is. For him, one of the key qualities of a photographer is their originality and creativity. Success in this field is all about finding an authentic style and persevering, always.

Highlights of the episode:

• 02:47: Abdel Abdulai’s decision to use Boy from Dagbon as his way to identify himself to bring light to his Ghanaian roots.
• 09:50: The transition from IT to photography and the creativity that was always part of Abdel’s life and work. 
• 11:51: The rise of street photography and the changes that Instagram brought to the industry. 
• 14:57: The evolution of black African photographers and artists during the last decade and how the African style stood out from others in the industry.
• 17:43: African artists and their influence in bringing the culture and fashion of the continent into the global fashion world.
• 24:11: The process of getting recognition as a photographer and the tools that can be used to get the work out there.  
• 29:44: The impact of an image on the thoughts and feelings of individuals and entire groups. How images can tell a story and bring people together.
• 31:47: The discovery of the people who make Africa and the experience of getting closer to them and show the stories behind their faces.

Mentioned Resources

• Third Culture Africans
• Malée
• @boyfromdagbon

Segun Gele was born in Nigeria and he is an entrepreneur and make-up artist who has become well-known in the fashion world for his amazing style. He highlights West African fashion and he is all about bringing headgears to another level. He is a trendsetter and a creative soul that made geles a fashion statement instead of just one more accessory. 

Segun Gele is as authentic as it comes, pursuing the things he likes and turning his vision into reality by exploring his talent. This authenticity is what allowed him to transition from hairdresser to make-up artist, reaching a point that allowed him to open his own salon while he was still in college.

After going to America to work as a journalist and make use of his college major, Segun found himself going back to hairdressing. His road there was far from straightforward, and he had to forget who he had been in Nigeria and become an apprentice in the US. However, his people skills and ability to get out there and offer his talent led him to have an incredible breakthrough that led him to become popular in the social circles of Atlanta and Houston. He became Segun Gele, “the guy who did the gele” and he conquered all of the US with his talent. 

Segun opens up about the importance of bringing passion into business, which has helped him overcome a physical disability and continue in the industry for decades. Building an entire portion of an industry is no easy feat and he has achieved it with confidence, perseverance, and knowing the value of his work. By bringing passion into business, Segun Gele has transformed the fashion world. 

Highlights of the episode:

• 03:21: Segun Gele’s process to transition from hairdresser to opening his salon and becoming immersed in the makeup industry.
• 05:38: The non-existent gele industry and the influence Segun had in creating one without realizing it by just following his style ideas.
• 10:28: Making everything about the client to achieve great results, even when it means going over the set responsibilities of a position. The importance of understanding how everything works together.
• 14:07: What the makeup and beauty industry was like in the 90s, with few men working in salons and a growing wedding industry in Nigeria.
• 20:50: The lack of readily available information and the struggles of arriving in the United States without the proper preparation. 
• 27:39: When frustration mounts, right when everything seems like it’s over, a breakthrough can change everything and transform a life entirely. The consequences of seizing the opportunity.
• 32:56: Despite a disability stemmed from poliomyelitis that left him with a bad left arm, Segun Gele didn’t let anything stop him. He works every day with his hands and he has never seen his disability as a limitant to live his life to the fullest. 
• 46:38: The impact of economic turmoil in the beauty industry and the need to adapt and find alternatives instead of doing the job grudgingly and not providing the best service.

Mentioned Resources

• Third Culture Africans
• Malée
• Gabsel Foods
• @segungele

Kojo Baffoe is the son of a Ghanaian father and a German mother who was raised in Lesotho. He currently lives in Johannesburg, South Africa and is an entrepreneur, writer, content strategist, former men’s magazine editor and speaker, to mention a few of his roles in life. He calls himself a retired poet, and he studied Economics, Marketing and Business Administration. Kojo has worked in multiple sectors and aside from his content creation for different brands, he is in the process of publishing his book titled Listen to Your Footsteps.

In this episode, you will hear all about the possibilities that open up career-wise when you are willing to define your life by your needs and what you envision for yourself. Taking risks and making jumps without knowing how things are going to go is a challenging decision that can be very rewarding at many different levels.

Kojo Baffoe refers to himself as a “professional jack of all trades” and he undoubtedly lives up to the title. He talks about the different studies and jobs he has done and how his unwillingness to define himself by his career has allowed him to explore different pursuits, from being the editor of Destiny Man to entering the business world.

Kojo opens up about his addiction and how he realized he needed help. In the process of getting through this, he achieved self-acceptance and realized he doesn’t need to make excuses for who he is. This journey has helped him in his life and his writing. Kojo is an example of reinvention, perseverance, adaptation, and growth and his goal is to make the voice Africans heard worldwide.   

Highlights of the episode:

• 02:04: Kojo Baffoe talks about his background, how he defines himself, and his mission to ensure the voice of Africans is heard in this world.
• 09:23: Kojo’s father’s journey to become a businessman after being an academic, which formed how Kojo saw the business world and allowed him to have an early education on the subject.
• 14:35: The political limitations that existed in the African continent, especially for South Africa challenged the pan-african ideals in which Kojo grew up. 
• 19:02: The difference between pursuing a life focused on the lifestyle desired and basing the definition of self through work and career goals. The importance of being willing to jump into the unknown and making it work according to what the final destination is. 
• 25:39: A job title can come with numerous perks and keeping in mind that these are associated with the job and not the worker is instrumental to not get lost in the process. Self-worth should always be based on more than a job title, a career, or a social media following.
• 42:42: Koje opens up about the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had in his work life and his mental state and how writing a book is not as profitable as people might think.
• 49:43: Koje talks about the origin of his addiction to alcohol, how this led him to try other drugs and the support system that allowed him to get the help he needed.
• 54:23: The trauma that comes with the rejection and struggle in the entrepreneurship  journey and how COVID-19 has forced people to face themselves and navigate through personal and professional challenges.
• 01:02:14 Being an African beyond being born in this continent and the conversation around Africa as a location vs. Africa as a spirit and people coming together.

Mentioned Resources

• Third Culture Africans
• Malée
• Kojo Baffoe
• @kojobaffoe
• Zebra Culture Newsletter

Ikenna Ordor is an entrepreneur and the founder and head of different luxury companies. He has been featured on Forbes and The Guardian and he has been called a beacon of hope as the creator of  the Starr Luxury Cars. This has been called the “Airbnb of luxury cars”. Ikenna moved from Nigeria to the UK when he was 14 years old and the example set by his mother, who worked buying and selling houses has been part of what inspires him. In addition to Starr Luxury Cars, he is also the founder of Starr Luxury Jets and Starr Property Management and he plans to continue growing.

Failure is often seen as the worst thing that can happen to a person, especially once they’ve been successful. However, there is an immense strength in restarting, reinventing, and being as consistent as possible to achieve your goal. 

Ikenna Ordor highly values commitment and hard work and he believes always staying busy and taking risks in business is the only way to go. He has faced his share of failure, which he sees as a learning opportunity and experiences that allowed him to keep growing. Ikenna always stayed on his feet, looking for the next investment and working hard and relentlessly in all of his projects.

Ikenna opens up about his past businesses and the experiences that allowed him to build his current company. He emphasizes the importance of networking and investing as well as the power of identifying opportunities. Part of this is assessing anyone he knows as a possible business partner and engaging them and proposing tangible business relationships. Ikenna always keeps in mind growth as his overall goal. Despite being considered highly successful, he sees his businesses as barely on the infancy stage and he aspires to continue advancing and achieving new goals.

Highlights of the episode:

• 03:32: Ikenna Ordor describes his main company Starr Luxury Cars, which allows people to choose different means of luxury transportation when they want to take their vacations.
• 06:04: Ikenna’s perspective on failure and why he’s so willing to take risks. He understands failure as an opportunity to learn and not failing the same way again.
• 16:53: After having a fancy office and a staff, Ikenna had to face a complete change of pace in his life, which led him to new investments and finding strength in consistency.  
• 26:37: Understanding the market and the needs of influencers, celebrities, and people that can raise the profile of a business is key. Networking with agents and everyone involved in the industry is the best way to create collaboration opportunities.
• 35:00: Starr Luxury Cars has been built on organic SEO, which has allowed people to get in contact with the company. Customer service is at the core of this business.
• 37:02: Ikenna had to juggle caring for his newborn while he was starting Starr Luxury Cars, an experience that he embraced with the same passion as being an entrepreneur. 
• 39:34: How understanding opportunities motivated Ikenna to start hiring in the middle of the pandemic. This allowed him to avoid losses and increase his clientele as well as diversify his business.
• 49:55: Work and life balance as the ultimate goals and the difference between working hard versus working smart. 

Mentioned Resources

• Third Culture Africans
• Malée
• @ike_le_starr
• Starr Luxury Cars

Ore Runsewe is the founder of Arami Essentials, a digital native beauty brand focusing on providing products made with African ingredients. Ore built her business from scratch, first using Instagram as her only platform before expanding to other social media platforms and setting up a website. After moving to Nigeria from the UK, Ore found it difficult to access beauty essential products, which led her to start Arami Essentials.

This episode will give you an inside look at the process of growing a digital native brand and the many aspects that need to be considered during this journey. From growing a following in an organic way to properly including influencers in your marketing strategy.

Ore Runsewe is an expert on building a brand in the digital world. Starting on Instagram was not an easy thing to do, and Ore opens up about the struggles of doing this and how she had to change her life entirely to do so. She recognizes that her ambitious nature and desire to succeed were instrumental to keep her going and achieve her goals. 

Ore shares her experience building her brand, how having a 9-5 job actually helped her to achieve this, and many important insights regarding things to keep in mind before getting started and once you have boarded the ship on entrepreneurship. Living in Nigeria has allowed her to have access to the source of her products, helping her build a brand that focuses on highlighting the natural heritage of African ingredients and presenting them as finished products.

• 03:55: Representing the natural heritage African ingredients as products that are already finished, highlighting the efficacy of these ingredients as a whole product.
• 08:01: The impact 2020 has had on the Arami’s understanding of their customers, including considering their mental health.
• 12:16: Ore’s process of building her brand while holding onto a day job was not easy. However, her background in communications and digital marketing helped her succeed.
• 15:58: The holistic and educational strategies used to communicate on social media and increase their following and impact and the role of being honest and transparent about the products. 
• 20:58: Having a regular job before becoming an entrepreneur and the teachings this experience provides.
• 24:42: The moment in which Ore realized it was time to dedicate her full time to Arami and the realization that other people were starting to depend on her business.
• 32:31: How Ore engages with influencers and the importance of having an organic connection with them to achieve a successful engagement.
• 40:24: The considerations that need to be made before asking for external funding and why having a concrete plan and strategy beforehand is instrumental.
• 47:05: What brought Ore to move to Nigeria after living her entire life in the UK and what it meant to her business and life.

Mentioned Resources

• Third Culture Africans
• Arami Essentials
• Malée
• @aramiessentials

Vania Leles, founder and Creative Director of Vanleles, exemplifies what it means to be a Third Culture African. She is a world citizen who exudes a rare mix of vibrant African heritage, European sensibility, American dynamism, and a global flair for design and creativity. As a Gemmologist, she sources stones from Africa and produces the jewelry fairly. She is on a mission to become the world's first African fine jewelry house among the top ten global brands.

This episode will open your eyes to the jewelry industry. While you may have heard of blood diamonds and ethical sourcing, you may not be aware of the other barriers preventing diverse creatives and entrepreneurs from entering the industry. 

Vania Leles gives us an insider's perspective on how the mining industry works. Most of the stones leave Africa unpolished and unpriced, meaning the continent is missing out on an opportunity to build industry and wealth. She is passionate about changing this and inspiring other Africans to get into the fine jewelry industry. 

You'll hear how Vania's career evolved and the decisions she made that set up Vanleles for success. Your reputation is precious, maybe even more so than the stones she deals with. So is being persistent in educating others about your product and inspiration. Stand up for yourself and your work.

Tune in to this episode for an insightful journey from the African precious stone mines, across the globe, and back again.

Highlights of the episode:

• 8:46: History of precious stone and metal crafting in Africa and how slavery brought the skills to a stop.
• 11:24: The track of Vania's early career in jewelry and having to work hard to break into an institutionalized industry
• 18:26: How the reputation she'd built for herself was crucial to getting her business off the ground.
• 27:53: Earning accolades as one of the great British luxury brands and how proud she was to have an African brand acknowledged as having high-level craftsmanship and quality.
• 30:31: The importance of educating people on the inspiration and the history of the product. How that story resonates with the audience.
• 39:10: Explaining the diamond industry process from rough stone to exported to an auction house; let's cut the middleman and bring it back to Africa.
• 44:43: Talking about some of the roadblocks countries have thrown up to allow diversity in the industry

Mentioned Resources

• Third Culture Africans
• VanLeles Diamonds
• Malée

Meet Tiwalola Ogunlesi, a self-love activist, confidence coach, and inspirational speaker specializing in positive psychology. The founder of Confident and Killing It, she is on a mission to wake women up to their self-worth so they can be more confident and empowered. She wants every woman to live the life she truly deserves.

Get ready to feel inspired and uplifted as Tiwalola Ogunlesi chats with Zeze about why all women deserve self-love. It was working with teenage girls that inspired Tiwalola to launch Confident and Killing It. It is time to stop the generational cycles and messages that impact our self-talk and personal beliefs. 

Hear more about Tiwalola's journey to becoming a personal coach and the importance of authenticity. She candidly speaks about burnout, the pandemic's impact on her business, and the challenges of change. Join us for an insightful conversation into personal evolution and transforming lives. 

Highlights of the episode:

• 02:56: The inspiration to start Confident and Killing It 
• 04:41: How she evolved into a coach and the importance to be the thing you want to be
• 11:08: Targeting through her work breaking cultural norms and generational cycles
• 14:30: Change takes time. It is an evolving process to arrive at a transformative life.
• 24:00: What it really means to be "woke" and defining success on your terms

Mentioned Resources

• Confident and Killing It Website
• Confident and Killing it Podcast
• On Instagram @Confidentandkillingit
• Tiwalola Ogunlesi
• The Joy of Burnout by Dr. Dina Glouberman

Abisola Omole is CEO and Creative Director of The Apartment Global Group. Her creative entrepreneurial career launched in 2012 with The Apartment, a creative hub for digital creators to foster brand relationships. Today her ventures have grown into a digital and creative agency, event production and design, a contemporary lifestyle brand, and an interior design studio. She is a model for what millennials, African women, and plus-size women can achieve in any industry.

You may be wondering how Abisola Omole, or Abimarvel as her fans know her, juggles her various ventures. In this episode, Abi reflects on how her career has evolved. Learn about starting The Apartment while a student at the University of the Arts in London and how it grew over time. She speaks about finding people to help grow the venture. Hear how the power of reflection has influenced where she is at in her career today.

Abi and Zeze also speak to the influencer’s role and how that role is evolving in the digital landscape. As a blogger since 2008, Abi’s worked with and around influencers since their earliest days.

The episode ends discussing Abi’s work creating a respected high-fashion platform for the plus-size market. Abi recently joined the Harper’s Bazaar US team as its first plus-sized fashion columnist.

Highlights of the episode:

• 10:17: The process of moving from a concept to creating a community
• 15:00: How The Apartment was able to grow over time
• 22:16: Reflecting on how far her career has come; Abi’s youth belies success as she has been in her industry over fifteen years
• 24:30: The role of the influencer and monetizing their work
• 29:22: How Abi’s creativity and inspirations are constantly evolving, and an ability to edit
• 37:03: Abisola Omole on using the platform she’s built to amplify her voice
• 44:00: The theme of all Abi’s work is creating things that are affordable and inclusive but feels exclusive and luxury
• 50:04: How the influencer trend is evolving from personal brand to business

Mentioned Resources

• Abimarvel
• Arva
• Studio Arva
• Fole Studio
• The Apartment
• Malée

African actress, producer, and entrepreneur Eku Edewor has an extensive resume. She is a notable figure of influence, having worked with Martini Rose, Calvin Klein, Lancôme, and Maiyegun Beach Estate. She is passionate about media in Africa and the art of powerful storytelling. 

You might ask an aspiring actress or TV personality why they would stay in Africa over trying their luck in Hollywood. Eku Edewor is proud of Nigeria and her roots. She sees her role as representing the country's best and proving what the African media does is world-class. While many know her on-screen persona, she delights surprising others with her off-screen work ethic and drive.

A common thread is the ability to use media, whether as an actor, producer, writer, or director, to relay stories. Eku moved into producing because she was continuously disappointed by how the stories she worked on as an actress were coming across. She saw firsthand why creatives need to be in the driver's seat.

Hear during this episode from Eku her thoughts on the demands our social world puts on celebrities, keeping things private, and what trait is key to succeeding at your work.

• 07:35: What motivated her to go back and stay in Nigeria 
• 09:40: The definitive moment she knew the stage and acting was for her
• 13:50: Behind the choice to keep her career in Africa, Nigerian pride, and early challenges
• 17:00: How Eku handled her popularity and everyday life
• 20:40: Her thoughts on social media and exposing your personal life as a public figure
• 22:40: Speaking on her work as a producer and finding where the power really lies in creating
• 25:35: Taking control of the story and creating stories of how women want to be portrayed
• 26:50: People are surprised continuously as Eku breaks down the expectations they had of her from her television past
• 28:35: How do you know when you've accomplished all you want to accomplish?
• 30:20: Her part in amplifying the African message through her choices
• 39:45: What keeps Eku inspired

Mentioned Resources

• 53 extra
• Vogue
• AMVCA
• Malée