Africa In US

Bandak Lul is an acclaimed refugee advocate and human rights activist. He is a research project manager at Arizona State University Office of Sex Trafficking Intervention Research (STIR). Lul holds a number of social justice and human rights positions including his recent appointment as a Youth Delegate representing his birth country, South Sudan at the United Nations Youth for Human Rights International, member of the planning committee and national speaker at the Migrant and Refugee Leadership Academy, and serving as advisory board member at Refugee Code Academy. He has appeared on CNN, and as a speaker at Uncharted- The Berkeley Festival of Ideas, panel member at Amnesty International USA Regional Conference, and at ASU refugee and migrant panel discussion. Lul is a former refugee from South Sudan (the then Sudan) who spent 14 years of his life living in a refugee camp in Ethiopia. In 2006, he was granted a refugee status to the United States, host city Phoenix, AZ. He holds a Master’s Degree in Social Justice & Human Rights, and holds two bachelor’s degrees in BA in Political Science and BA in Sociology.

On today’s show we have Director of Ethiopian Diaspora Fellowship, Rediate Tekeste. We held an instagram live conversation surrounding the values of her amazing organization, why it’s important to reconnect to Ethiopia through our own experiences & the importance of the African Diaspora to the development and understanding of Africa. This is Africa In US.

In light of #WorldSuicidePreventionDay, we held an Instagram Live Conversation & Community Discussion on Mental Health with Psychiatric Nurse Ledet Muleta. The topics of discussion will surround the following... 1. The causes, symptoms and treatments for anxiety. 2. How to address, approach and heal the emotional and psychological impact of trauma 3. How to implement prevention and early interventions strategies to reduce substance abuse.

On today’s show we have Evelyn From the Internets. Evelyn is an American born Kenyan digital storyteller living in Austin Texas. She has created her own platform to deliver her hilarious, insightful and unapologetic perspective with a successful YouTube channel, a prolific twitter page, and even Beyoncé knows her name! I spoke with Evelyn about her viral video successes, first generation upbringing, using social media for a cause and her creative process for making videos.

Moyo Oyelola is a modern day renaissance man purposefully wandering. He is a multimedia creative and storyteller originally from Nigeria. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2010 and has lived many lives since then, specifically around art and tech. In the past he served as the Creative Director for Social Media Week Lagos [Nigeria] and eventually started a collaborative exhibit on the African diaspora called "Distant Relatives." The exhibit was featured on PBS's Arts in Context episode called "Home." He currently is focused on owning his truth by focusing on stories and multimedia projects inspired by his travels around Africa and the people from around the world.

“I want children to grow up fearlessly for a better tomorrow. This means not living in a world of war or refugee camps as I did. It means eradicating child slavery. We need to put governments on their toes and hold them more accountable to protect the most vulnerable.” - GRACE FREEMAN on her mission to heal the wounds of the world as an advocate for children and a nursing student. At 8 months old, during a civil war in Liberia, Grace and her family fled to live at refugee camp in Ghana At age 7, Grace was taken away from her family to live as a child slave for 11 years. Grace now travels to speak and uses her story to bring awareness, hope and change through events and media outlets around the world. I spoke with Grace about her experience on being a refugee and child slave, how she held onto unwavering faith during some of her most darkest moments, and her passionate pursuit of becoming a Nurse and continuing her work as an advocate for change to help others fight for education and freedom.

Ledet is the founder and director of Medixaa Health Services. An organization that works to reduce the stigma of mental illness and provide support to those affected. Ledet has been working in the field of Mental Health for the past 14 years. Her passion in mental health and psychology stems from the rich experiences she has had as a psychiatric nurse. Ledet is a member of several organizations focusing on the Diaspora and Africa and hopes to continue her work in decreasing the disparities that exist in these communities. Ledet is also a writer and producer of a film called CHULA. I recently spent some time with Ledet to explore her story. On this podcast we discussed how to examine and approach mental health within the African and African diaspora communities and her exciting new film about a young African woman living with bipolar disorder in the Washington D.C. area

"You can only be a diluted version of someone else. You can always be a full untamed version of yourself." - British Congolese Comedian, Eddie Kadi On today’s show we have Eddie Kadi. Born in the DR Congo in 1983, Eddie Kadi moved to the UK at the age of eight where he grew up in West London. While studying media technology at Kingston University in Surrey, Eddie Kadi began hosting stand-up shows which further cemented that entertaining people seemed to come naturally and he’s never looked back since. He is a household name within the British comedy scene and the first British black comedian to headline the O2 Arena. He has performed across Africa from Congo to Zanzibar and appeared on TV shows in Uganda, Ghana, Congo, Kenya and Nigeria. I spoke with Eddie about the keys to his comedic success, touring with Ms. Lauryn Hill and Nas, and how important it is for him to remain unashamed and unapologetically authentic to his African roots.

"Leverage the negative. Embrace the positive." - Brandon Nsekpong This past March I took a trip to Washington DC for my film screening of The Diaspora Journal. In between meetings, press interviews and work, I had the opportunity to sit down with my friend Yordy to catch up and grab a bite to eat at one of my favorite spots in town, Nandos. Five stars all day. #Facts We shared funny stories of recent experiences, talked about faith, our life journey and different ideas we would like to see come into fruition in the near future. He mentioned a new potential project that peaked my interest called, “Africa In US.” As soon as he explained the concept, I just knew that we had to launch this together and see what God can do through a project that highlights inspiring stories of representation. Fast forward to today. I am absolutely thrilled to announce the first “Africa In US” episode featuring my good friend, Brandon Nsekpong. Brandon is an App developer and entrepreneur living in Austin, TX A few years ago, Brandon founded and created Modobuddy. A mobile app that connects motorcycle riders with each other. He inspires me and I hope this conversation does the same for you. I sat down with Brandon to explore his story. We discussed how the power of perspective played a role with creating and launching his first international app on itunes. It is not easy going through life's challenges when filled with discouragement. Brandon shared the importance of leveraging the negative and embracing the positive. Our moments of challenges should not merely be tolerated, but leveraged in a way for us to seek the good in everything. Whether it's a lesson or personal growth opportunity, there is something valuable in every situation depending on how we see and approach the problem. Some of our other conversations covered are experiences of being raised by immigrant parents, finding meaningful work by building community and how a viral marriage proposal got him invited to the Ellen DeGeneres show. Enjoy!