For today’s episode, I had the pleasure of interview Lukonga Lindunda, co-founder and Executive Director of Bongo Hive, an award-winning innovation hub in my hometown Lusaka, Zambia. Bongo Hive is changing the landscape of innovation in the region and it was so wonderful getting to know Lukonga better, learning more about the tech/innovation economy in Zambia and what Zambia is doing right in regard to supporting entrepreneurship. During our conversation, we discussed: What’s sparked his interest in tech Navigating Zambia’s tech ecosystem in the early 2000s How he co-founded Bongo Hive, Zambia’s first innovation hub What does Zambia do really well regarding entrepreneurship support What role the diaspora play in supporting entrepreneurs in Zambia What excites him about Africa’s future “We are unlocking opportunities and we’re doing more not just for Africa, but for the world. Resources: Become a Patreon & support the show: https://www.patreon.com/deardiaspora Join me and Certified Africa in Ghana now: https://deardiasporashow.com/ghana2020/ Learn more about BongoHive: https://bongohive.co.zm Subscribe to Dear Diaspora’s newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gZpu79 Dear Diaspora Twitter: https://twitter.com/deardiasporapod Dear Diaspora Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deardiaspora/ Dear Diaspora FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/deardiaspora

Dear Diaspora

41. How I Helped Build Zambia's First Innovation Hub - Lukonga Lindunda, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Bongo Hive

Today’s guest is Lee Ngwenya–writer, documentary filmmaker and host of Conversations with Leelabee, a podcast covering topics ranging from entrepreneurship to mental health. Lee was born in Zimbabwe but raised in Zambia, and knew early on that a traditional career path wasn’t for her. She attended school in North Carolina for social work but quickly realized that film was her passion. Capetown, South Africa had the exact program she was looking for and her training there has landed her work in South Africa, Kenya and Zambia. Tune in to hear more about: What her 2020 was like How she’s navigating Zambia’s creative scene The two sides of Capetown people aren’t really talking about Upcoming African creative projects you should know about Which Conversations with Leelabee episode to listen to first & more! Resources mentioned: Listen to Conversations with Leelabee: https://linktr.ee/leelabee Learn about Amooye: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6g0opGfQ3vU Subscribe to Dear Diaspora’s monthly newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gZpu79 Become a patron and support the show: patreon.com/deardiaspora Dear Diaspora Twitter: https://twitter.com/deardiasporapod Dear Diaspora Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deardiaspora/ 

53. Zimbabwean-Born Writer and Director Lee Ngwenya on Zambia’s Film Scene and Showing Up for African Creatives

For today’s episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with brother/sister duo Akinade Adelere and Oyin Aderele—hosts of Pod Save Africa. Pod Save Africa explores the interesting details of our history, our present and our hopes for the future through weekly podcast episodes. During our conversation, Akinade and Oyin share: How conversations and debates in his apartment with friends led Akinyade to launch Pod Save Africa Their initial reactions to the #EndSARS protests and why this latest round of protests was more effective What—if anything—the #EndSARS protests learned from the Black Lives Matter movement What role the Diaspora (and celebrities) plays during times like these How they stay hopeful and encouraged while covering heavy topics Resources mentioned: Learn more about Pod Save Africa: https://www.saveafricapod.com More on the #EndSars Movement: https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/25/africa/nigeria-end-sars-protests-analysis-intl/index.html Subscribe to Dear Diaspora’s monthly newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gZpu79 Become a patron and support the show: patreon.com/deardiaspora Dear Diaspora Twitter: https://twitter.com/deardiasporapod Dear Diaspora Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deardiaspora/ Dear Diaspora FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/deardiaspora 

52. #EndSARSMovement Reflections with Pod Save Africa Hosts Akinade and Oyin Aderele

If you’re a student and looking for ways to engage with the continent in an impactful way, this is the episode for you! I had a great conversation with Doing Good Work in Africa (DOWA) Founder Ola Erogbogbo DOWA Fellow Adaeze Okorie. Doing Good Work in Africa connects brilliant and innovative university students to Africa-based companies, public entities and non-profit organizations working to address challenges at the grassroots level by implementing impactful and scalable initiatives. Tune in to hear Ola and Adaeze share: What about doing business in Nigeria led Ola to launch DOWA How you can land an internship with one of their program partners How the program benefits the Africa-based companies and non-profits that sign up What exactly about young people excites them about Africa’s future Resources mentioned: More About DOWA: https://www.dowafrica.org Use discount code “DearDiaspora” to join me and Certified Africa in Ghana this December: https://deardiasporashow.com/ghana2020/ Subscribe to Dear Diaspora’s monthly newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gZpu79 Become a patron and support the show: patreon.com/deardiaspora Dear Diaspora Twitter: https://twitter.com/deardiasporapod Dear Diaspora Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deardiaspora/ Dear Diaspora FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/deardiaspora 

51. Doing Good Work In Africa: How I'm Connecting College Students To Africa-Based Companies And Non-Profits|Ola Erogbogbo

This is Dear Diaspora’s 50th episode! The podcast launched September 2019 and since then, I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing amazing guests from all over the world. To celebrate this milestone, I’m taking some time to reflect on a few things: The Biden-Harris win and what I’m hoping to see these next four years The biggest takeaways from past interviews and what they’ve taught me about Africa, the Diaspora and what role we actually play in contributing to Africa’s growth and development The 3 biggest lessons I’ve learned this past year Consistency is key You don’t need to ask for permission to follow your dreams There are no failures in life, only lessons to be learned Thanks for tuning in! Resources mentioned: Use discount code “DearDiaspora” to join me and Certified Africa in Ghana this December: https://deardiasporashow.com/ghana2020/ Subscribe to Dear Diaspora’s monthly newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gZpu79 Become a patron and support the show: patreon.com/deardiaspora Dear Diaspora Twitter: https://twitter.com/deardiasporapod Dear Diaspora Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deardiaspora/ Dear Diaspora FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/deardiaspora 

50. Diaspora Diaries – My Thoughts on the Biden-Harris Win, Celebrating 50 Episodes and What Podcasting Has Taught Me

For today’s episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Sam Baddoo, Founder of Fleri—a health insurance marketplace that helps immigrants protect the people they love, everywhere. Every year, immigrants across the globe send billions of dollars in remittances to their loved ones in lower-income and middle-income countries. What’s unique about Fleri is that it "unbundles" remittances by providing immigrants a direct way to provide quality healthcare to their loved ones back home. During the episode, Sam and I discuss: His upbringing in Ghana and experience studying in Morocco  The African immigrant experience and how he found his footing after emigrating from Ghana How remittance payments transform African economies How Fleri will work to reduce the burden of out of pocket healthcare costs Africa’s healthcare landscape and which countries are getting it right What healthcare in Africa could look like in the next 10 years “We have the power. We just have to figure out how to use it.” – Sam Baddoo Resources mentioned: Join Fleri: https://joinfleri.com Use discount code “DearDiaspora” to join me and Certified Africa in Ghana this December: https://deardiasporashow.com/ghana2020/ Subscribe to Dear Diaspora’s newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gZpu79 Dear Diaspora Twitter: https://twitter.com/deardiasporapod Dear Diaspora Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deardiaspora/ Dear Diaspora FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/deardiaspora 

49. How I'm Building a Marketplace to Improve Access to Healthcare in Africa | Sam Baddoo, Fleri Founder 

For the first part of today’s episode, I share my thoughts on Nigeria’s #EndSARS movement, similar movements across the continent and what us folks in the Diaspora can do to amplify the work of organizers on the ground. My guest today is serial entrepreneur, startup advisor and Founders Unfound creator Dan Kihanya. Dan grew up in Boston, Massachusetts with a Kenyan father and American mother. After studying mechanical engineering and getting an MBA from UC Berkeley, he ventured into entrepreneurship and has served as a co-founder, early executive, investor, and advisor. He’s the head of marketing and strategy at Wizely and is the creator of Founders Unfound, a media project created to tell the stories of exceptional entrepreneurs and tech founders from underrepresented backgrounds – starting with founders of African descent. During the episode, we discuss: His upbringing in Boston and navigating his Kenyan-American heritage Some of the biggest mistakes early entrepreneurs make and how to start a business in this current environment What he learned about building a product specifically for an emerging market Why he built Founders Unfound and why he’s “bullish” on the African continent “There’s an inherent hustle factor—which is ideal for entrepreneurship. There isn’t a [traditional] corporate track for young people, so by definition, young people will take their own mantle and start businesses. I’m bullish on Africa in general.” - Dan Kihanya Resources mentioned: Subscribe to Founders Unfound: https://podnews.net/podcast/1462390038/no  Learn more about the movement to end SARS. More about similar movements across the continent. Use discount code “DearDiaspora” to join me and Certified Africa in Ghana this December: https://deardiasporashow.com/ghana2020/ Subscribe to Dear Diaspora’s newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gZpu79 Dear Diaspora Twitter: https://twitter.com/deardiasporapod Dear Diaspora Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deardiaspora/ Dear Diaspora FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/deardiaspora

48. Dan Kihanya on Growing up Kenyan-American, Startups, and Doing Business in Emerging Markets

If you're anything like me, you've probably been thinking of various ways you can supplement your income - especially considering how the pandemic has impacted so many of our lives this past year. If so, then you’ll love today’s episode with Teri Ijeoma, Founder and CEO of Invest with Teri! Teri teaches you how to supplement your daily, weekly or monthly income with trading so that you can live your best life. During the episode, we discuss: Her upbringing in Dallas, TX and college experience at MIT Her switch from being an educator to trading stocks and traveling full-time How you can learn how to trade, pick the right companies and make consistent gains Her advice for young people interested in investing but aren’t sure where to start Details about her Trade and Travel program What being a part of the African Diaspora means to her Resources: Learn how to trade and travel: https://itradeandtravel.lpages.co/1000aday/ Use discount code “DearDiaspora” to join me and Certified Africa in Ghana this December: https://deardiasporashow.com/ghana2020/ Subscribe to Dear Diaspora’s newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gZpu79 Dear Diaspora Twitter: https://twitter.com/deardiasporapod Dear Diaspora Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deardiaspora/ Dear Diaspora FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/deardiaspora

47. How to Side Hustle and Supplement Your Income by Trading Stocks With Teri Ijeoma

For today’s episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Emmanuel Gamor, host of Unpacking Africa - a podcast sharing resources while exploring ecosystems in our communities and figuring out issues pertaining to the African continent.  With over a decade of experience in youth engagement, digital & managerial innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership education on the continent—Emmanuel is a true ecosystem builder. During the episode, we discuss: His experience studying in the US and returning to Ghana after college How he created his own opportunities back home and landed roles at Google, YouTube and Impact Hub Ghana’s entrepreneurship ecosystem – what’s working and what isn’t Decreasing Africa’s youth unemployment rate Bridging the gap between the diaspora and the African continent  What excites him about Africa’s future Resources: Listen to Unpacking Africa: https://anchor.fm/4irafrica Become a Patreon & support the show: https://www.patreon.com/deardiaspora Join me and Certified Africa in Ghana now: https://deardiasporashow.com/ghana2020/ Subscribe to Dear Diaspora’s newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gZpu79 Dear Diaspora Twitter: https://twitter.com/deardiasporapod Dear Diaspora Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deardiaspora/ Dear Diaspora FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/deardiaspora “Folks of other races have found so much solace in home that they’ve come here and tried to own parts of Africa that are not even theirs. There’s no other place in the world that’s allowed it happen so blatantly than the African continent.” - Emmanuel Gamor

46. Unpacking Africa with Emmanuel Gamor: Entrepreneurship, Tackling Youth Unemployment and Africa’s Future

For today's episode, we catch up with Iveoma Okparaeke, founder of It's Iveoma, a platform created for anyone interested in moving to a country in Africa. She officially moved to Lagos, Nigeria in December 2019 and has not looked back! During the episode, Iveoma speaks pretty candidly about her experiences so far in Lagos. Tune in to hear: Why she decided to move back to Nigeria and what she realized when she made the move How she prepared and saved for her move Why you NEED an SUV to survive in Nigeria How she’s navigating dating as a returnee How much you need to make monthly live comfortably in Lagos Her advice to millennials in the Diaspora thinking about returning to their home countries Resources: Learn more about Iveoma: https://www.youtube.com/c/ItsIveoma/videos Become a Patreon & support the show: https://www.patreon.com/deardiaspora Join me and Certified Africa in Ghana now: https://deardiasporashow.com/ghana2020/ Subscribe to Dear Diaspora’s newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gZpu79 Dear Diaspora Twitter: https://twitter.com/deardiasporapod Dear Diaspora Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deardiaspora/ Dear Diaspora FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/deardiaspora

45. Iveoma on Moving to Nigeria, Life in Lagos, and Dating as a Returnee

For today’s episode, I reshare an episode that provides a comprehensive overview of 5 key growth trends shaping Africa’s growth and development. These trends are outlined in the book  Africa’s Business Revolution: How to Succeed in the World’s Next Big Growth Market by authors Acha Leke, Mutsa Chironga and Georges Desvaux. Tune in for a refresher on these trends and how they will impact business in Africa for decades to come: Young, fast growing urban population with a lot of unmet demands. Africa’s coming industrial revolution. Africa’s Infrastructure Gap and the big push to close it Africa’s Untapped Resource wealth and new innovations to unleash it. The rapid adoption of digital and mobile – and the leapfrog opportunity. Resources: Get the book here: https://amzn.to/37r4rLK Become a Patreon & support the show: https://www.patreon.com/deardiaspora Join me and Certified Africa in Ghana now: https://deardiasporashow.com/ghana2020/ Subscribe to Dear Diaspora’s newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gZpu79 Dear Diaspora Twitter: https://twitter.com/deardiasporapod Dear Diaspora Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deardiaspora/ Dear Diaspora FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/deardiaspora

44. Five Growth Trends Shaping Africa’s Future (REWIND)

For today’s episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, co-founder of Andela, Flutterwave, and The Future Africa Fund. Iyinoluwa “E” Aboyeji is regarded as one of the most successful African entrepreneurs of our time. He’s helped launch two of Africa’s best known and best funded startups, Flutterwave and Andela. While at Andela, a company training African developers and hiring them out to global tech companies, he and his team secured a $24 million investment Facebook founder Mark Zuckerburg. Today, E is building an African future where tech and innovation will enable so much abundance that prosperity and purpose is within everyone’s reach via the Future Africa Fund During the episode, we discuss: His upbringing in Nigeria, studying abroad in Canada and how his mom’s entrepreneurial endeavors inspired his Some of the biggest lessons he learned building Andela and how he overcame fundraising challenges often faced by African-led startups His thoughts on what some of the most urgent challenges Africa is facing are—and how we can transform them into global business opportunities Why Africa continues to be a “hidden gem” that the world overlooks How you can invest in African-led startups via the Future Collective Resources: Learn more about Future Collective: https://www.future.africa Become a Patreon & support the show: https://www.patreon.com/deardiaspora Join me and Certified Africa in Ghana now: https://deardiasporashow.com/ghana2020/ Subscribe to Dear Diaspora’s newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gZpu79 Dear Diaspora Twitter: https://twitter.com/deardiasporapod Dear Diaspora Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deardiaspora/ Dear Diaspora FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/deardiaspora

43. Iyinoluwa Aboyeji on The Future Africa Fund and How Africa’s Challenges Can Be Transformed Into Global Business Opportunities

For today’s episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Edith Njage, CEO and co-founder of Arielle for Africa. Edith is a serial social entrepreneur aiming to create 100,000 jobs by 2030 through Arielle for Africa’s programming. She’s providing entrepreneurs in Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana and Uganda with the education, resources and tools they need to start and sustain their businesses.  During the episode, we discuss: Edith’s educational background and how it informs the work she does to support African entrepreneurs Her program's goal to ensure each entrepreneur can create at least 5 jobs Her thoughts on only why only 6% of venture capital investments in Kenya go to Black Kenyan founders How Africans in the Diaspora can participate and play a more active role in supporting entrepreneurs Resources: Learn more about Arielle for Africa: https://www.arielleforafrica.com  Become a Patreon & support the show: https://www.patreon.com/deardiaspora Join me and Certified Africa in Ghana now: https://deardiasporashow.com/ghana2020/ Subscribe to Dear Diaspora’s newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gZpu79 Dear Diaspora Twitter: https://twitter.com/deardiasporapod Dear Diaspora Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deardiaspora/

42. How Social Entrepreneur Edith Njage is Building Her Business in Kenya and Aiming to Create 100,000 Jobs

For today’s episode, tune in to hear from the founders of the new home to the most innovative, melanin-focused, independent brands of the African Diaspora. Yard and Parish features a collective of affordable luxury online providing access to items that champion a natural, conscious, and colorful lifestyle. Co-founders Alesha and Samantha’s time studying and working in the UK inspired them to have a go at solving a global cultural issue. Until now, it really hasn't been simple or straightforward to find or buy from ethnic designers, or even to buy chemical-free products for afro hair and skin unless we live in specific neighbourhoods. They recognized that this is an issue everywhere women of color are considered a minority and so they aspire to be the most accessible one-stop shop for our generation. During the episode, they share: Their experience living in Ontario/starting their businesses in the UK What inspired them to get started with Yard and Parish How they build relationships with vendors they work with How they’re connecting with customers during this pandemic The power of community   The biggest lessons they’ve learned so far as entrepreneurs + more! Shop Yard and Parish: https://www.yardandparish.com Follow Yard and Parish on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yardandparish/   Subscribe to Dear Diaspora’s newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gZpu79 Dear Diaspora Twitter: https://twitter.com/deardiasporapod Dear Diaspora Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deardiaspora/ Dear Diaspora FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/deardiaspora

40. Yard and Parish Co-Founders on Building A Home For Melanin-focused, Independent Brands of the African Diaspora

Today's solo episode is dedicated to supporting the work of activists mobilizing for Black lives. Later in the episode, I also share my thoughts on Black Lives Matter and why this is our (African immigrants) fight, too. Please support these incredible organizations: George Floyd Memorial Fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd Minnesota Freedom Fund: https://minnesotafreedomfund.org/ Black Visions Collective: https://www.blackvisionsmn.org/ Campaign Zero: https://www.joincampaignzero.org/ Black Lives Matter: https://www.Blacklivesmatter.com Minneapolis NAACP Branch: https://www.paypal.me/mplsnaacp4050B   Other resources mentioned in the episode: 15 Percent Pledge: https://www.15percentpledge.org More on #JusticeForUwa: https://punchng.com/from-blacklivesmatter-to-justiceforuwa-what-to-learn/ The Plug's tracking of statements: https://tpinsights.com/2020/05/31/twilio-box-spotify-and-other-tech-ceos-speak-out-against-racism-and-police-brutality-others-stay-silent/  Pull Up or Shut Up campaign: https://www.instagram.com/pullupforchange/?hl=en 

39. Diaspora Diaries: #BlackLivesMatter

Dear Diaspora is a podcast celebrating the African diaspora – its change-makers, innovators and entrepreneurs working to make our world a better one to live in. If you’re passionate about entrepreneurship, social change, professional development, and want to be inspired–then this is the podcast for you! Join us as we celebrate Black excellence around the world, thoughtfully discuss topics impacting our lives, and explore how we can make our world a better place.

41. How I Helped Build Zambia's First Innovation Hub - Lukon...