Everyday Ubuntu

This week, Mungi speaks with Dr. Jean Augustine, the first Black woman to be elected to Canada's House of Commons. They discuss Dr. Augustine's life's work consisting of service, advocacy, and activism; and she shares what her experience was like as the first Black woman MP and some of the successes she has had. They also speak about intersectionality and the loneliness that occurs when your identity is not represented. With several institutions named after her, including the Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women's Empowerment, Dr. Augustine speaks about the importance of ensuring that she is a role model for the youth and what she expects of them. The Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women's Empowerment was started in 2014 by Dr. Jean Augustine after seeing a specific need in the community to create a space where young women and girls could thrive and be supported to reach their full potential. The Centre offers virtual STEM activities — including coding, social entrepreneurship, and academic programs for girls aged 7-17.……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

Fellow The Brand is Female Podcast Studio host, Shayla Oulette Stonechild joined Mungi this week to discuss her work, the issues affecting Indigenous people today, and reclaiming power.Shayla is at the forefront of Indigenous women's wellness. Utilizing her skills as a powerful speaker and thought leader, Shayla is the founder of the “Matriarch Movement', a non-profit organization dedicated to highlighting Indigenous voices and providing wellness workshops to BIPOC women across Canada. In this episode, Shayla describes the origin story of Matriarch Movement and how the name came to her in a dream, she discusses how her mother's work had an impact on the work she wanted to do and speaks about her Indigenous women role models. As a television show host and trauma-informed yoga instructor, Shayla offers Mungi an enlightening perspective that comes with being a trauma-informed yoga instructor, as well as how it allows people to reclaim their power.As a Mètis and Nehiyaw Iskwew (Plains Cree Woman) from Muscowpetung First Nations, Shayla has always been a catalyst for Indigenous youth and women unlocking their full potential. Through her work, Shayla hopes to bring often difficult, yet necessary, Indigenous topics into mainstream conversations. In this conversation, they discuss several of the issues affecting Indigenous communities today that are still commonly overlooked, and how we can return to an Indigenous worldview.……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

This week, host Mungi Ngomane is joined by Sinikiwe Stephanie Dhliwayo, a creative, an entrepreneur, an educator, and a speaker who is steadfast in her belief that Blackness and humanity are inextricably linked. She is driven daily by a deep desire to change the narrative of what it looks like and feels like to be well. An immigrant from Zimbabwe, Sinikiwe's work is imbued with Ubuntu and in this episode, she and Mungi discuss the mission of her wellness company, Naaya, as well as how she approaches wellness.Whether making yoga and meditation accessible to those who need the practice most, or telling stories of marginalized folks through elevated photo and video, Sinikiwe is dedicated to creating a more equitable and just society. In this conversation, Sinikiwe speaks about how she does not believe in a one-size-fits-all wellness practice, focusing instead on asking ourselves: what "brings us joy?" Her work and efforts to make the wellness space more equitable can be found in Beyonce, Byrdie, Dame, Goop, Well and Good, and Refinery29. Her previous teaching and speaking engagements include The Re-Treat, Create and Cultivate, The Wing, Unwell Conference, Lululemon, Goop League, Summit, Faherty Sun Sessions, and Girlvana.Listen to this episode to hear Sinikiwe share what she lost in the pandemic and what keeps her going in difficult moments. Mungi also highlights Sinikiwe's automatic email response and the two have a conversation about how to balance granting yourself grace in this fast-paced world.……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

Today's guest is Dawn Gifford Engle. Dawn is a filmmaker, an activist, and Co-Founder of The PeaceJam Foundation. She has been recognized for excellence in filmmaking, a well-decorated director, Dawn is the recipient of 12 Best Director awards. She wrote and directed the award-winning documentary films, Rigoberta Menchu: Daughter of the Maya, Desmond Tutu: Children of the Light, Adolfo Perez Esquivel: Rivers of Hope, Oscar Arias: Without a Shot Fired, Betty Williams: Contagious Courage, The Dalai Lama -- Scientist, and Shirin Ebadi: Until We Are Free. In addition, she co-authored the book, "PEACEJAM: A Billion Simple Acts of Peace", which was published by Penguin in 2008, and she has been nominated 17 times for the Nobel Peace Prize.The PeaceJam Foundation is creating the next generation of Nobel Peace Laureates, and in this episode, Dawn shares how the foundation came to be, the inspiring projects the youth have created, and what the most rewarding part of her work is. She also speaks about how she feels lucky to have reached her full potential, having started her career as an economist and has since added the titles - activist, author, filmmaker, mother and grandmother to her repertoire. She and Mungi discuss the Nobel laureates that have direct impacts on their lives and the promise of youth looking to bring about peace in our world.……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

This week, host Mungi Ngomane is joined by Esméralda de Belgique, journalist, documentary-maker, keynote speaker, and author. Princess Esméralda is a member of the Belgian Royal family and the aunt of the current monarch, King Philippe. Throughout her career, she has co-produced documentaries and written several books about her family, environmental issues, and women Nobel Peace Prize winners. In this episode, HRH speaks to Mungi about the rewarding experience and learnings she got both writing about her family and making documentaries on their history.Esméralda is an advocate for women's and Indigenous rights, and supporting communities in the Amazon. In October 2019, Esméralda took part in the Extinction Rebellion protests in London where she was arrested and released later without charges. In this conversation, she explains how her father got her involved with Indigenous rights, her environmental work, and the interconnectedness of environmental advocacy and women's rights. Esméralda is very honest about Europe's plundering of resources and exploitation of people on the African continent. She has called for European nations, Belgium included, to confront their colonial past.To learn more about the two organizations Esméralda spoke about visits www.friendship.ngo and www.herowomenrising.org……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

This week, host Mungi Ngomane is joined by Courtney Martin, Activist, Feminist, Author, Entrepreneur, and Journalist. Her book, Learning in Public: Lessons for a Racially-Divided America From my Daughter's School provides lessons that help white parents wondering if it's too early to speak to their young kids about racism—spoiler: it's not. Courtney is also the visionary behind the Substack newsletter, called Examined Family, and she co-founded the Solutions Journalism Network, FRESH Speakers, and the Bay Area chapter of Integrated Schools. Courtney is the Storyteller-in-Residence at The Holding Co, a lab to redesign care for the 21st century. Her work appears frequently in The New York Times and The Washington Post, and you can find her appearances on the TODAY Show, Good Morning America, MSNBC, and The O'Reilly Factor. Courtney also speaks widely at conferences and colleges. In this episode, Courtney shares how she lives out her activism creatively in her daily life, with information that people wishing to be allies can use, her newsletter, Examined Family, and an article she wrote called, The Reductive Seduction of Other People's Problems, that Mungi highly recommends. To learn more about Courtney and her work visit www.courtneyemartin.com……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

This week, host Mungi Ngomane is joined by Dennis Marcus, the Executive Director of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights UK, an educational charity that works to inspire people to make human rights a reality in their everyday lives. Dennis co-founded the social impact agency Ubuntu London, working with leading politicians, global NGOs, and high profile activists, including honouring Nelson Mandela's co-accused Denis Goldberg, Ahmed Kathrada, and Andrew Mlangeni. Dennis also managed Patricia Scotland QC's successful 2015 bid to become the first female Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. He is a member of the Strategic Council of the Patchwork Foundation and the Committee for the Cherry Groce Memorial. In this episode, Mungi and Dennis discuss his connection to Ubuntu from his youth, and his current project, The World Reimagined, focused on the Transatlantic Slave Trade— how we understand it and how it impacts us all. He also shares a comparison between two of his identities, South African and German, and how both have approached their history.……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

This week, host Mungi Ngomane is joined by the one and only Tre'vell Anderson. Tre'vell is an award-winning journalist whose work is dedicated to centering those in the margins. Tre'vell has worked for the LA Times, Out Magazine and is currently Editor-At-Large for Toronto's Xtra. In this episode, Tre'vell and Mungi discuss how they got into entertainment journalism, the possibility models they have looked to for inspiration into how their life could be, and their experience coming up as a non-binary, trans person at an all-male college. The two also spoke of Tre'vell's podcast, FANTI, where they and co-host Jarrett Hill have nuanced discussions about the things we're fans of, but also have some "anti" feelings towards. Tre'vell speaks about their purpose that revolves around making space for those who are in the margins so they can see themselves reflected back. They also remind us of the importance of showing up as our full selves, especially if we wish to achieve liberation, and highlight how both transphobia and homophobia impact heterosexual-identified and cis-identified people because they reinforce the ways we are told to show up in the world. To learn more about Tre'vell and their work, visit www.trevellanderson.comNote: The poem Tre'vell read in the episode is "won't you celebrate with me" by Lucille Clifton.……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

Meet Zeinab Badawi, Sudanese-born British Television and Radio Journalist. Zeinab has worked extensively in the British media for four decades and is best known for her work at BBC World News TV and on BBC World Service Radio, on programs such as Hard Talk and Global Questions. Zeinab is the current chair of the Royal African Society and a director of the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. She also serves on the advisory boards of the think tanks Afrobarometer and the Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS). Zeinab is a member of the steering committee of the Africa Europe Foundation and a trustee of BBC Media Action. She has produced and presented an acclaimed 20-part TV series on the history of Africa, reporting from over 30 countries across the continent, and speaks to Mungi about how important this project was to her. Listen to this episode to hear how Zeinab got into broadcast journalism and some of the lessons she has learned from the public figures she has interviewed, including the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Thank you to our partners at HarperCollins for their support of today's episode! We are all about supporting women on this podcast, and so are the publishers at HarperCollins. They invest in authors who are writing stories about women, for women, and by women. The novel Black Girls Must Die Exhausted is a rare find in the world of women's fiction. The book's story is centered around a successful young Black woman who seems to have it all; a great dating life, a beautiful home, and a great job. However, an unexpected fertility crisis puts the protagonist in a tailspin. If you're looking for a fall read that examines the experiences of race, contemporary womanhood, and modern relationships, pre-order or pick it up at on-sale, pick up a copy wherever books are sold!……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

This week, host Mungi Ngomane is joined by the Founder and Executive Director of Black Women in Motion, Monica Samuel. Black Women in Motion is a Toronto-based, youth-led organization that empowers and supports the advancement of Black women, gender-non-conforming, and non-binary survivors of gender-based violence. Monica is an educator, community builder, social entrepreneur, and DEI consultant whose work over the last 10 years has focused on anti-oppression, equity, mental health, sex positivity, and consent. She is experienced in creating culturally centered spaces for learning, unlearning, and self-expression, giving individuals a soft place to land. Celebrated in Canada as 2019's Top 100 Black Women to watch, Monica's dedication and approach to social justice work have created healing, restorative, and economic opportunities for Black youth across the City of Toronto. Black Women in Motion works within an anti-racist, intersectional feminist, trauma-informed, and survivor-centered framework to create culturally relevant resources, healing spaces, educational, and economic opportunities for survivors. Listen as the two discuss the programming that Black Women in Motion offers, including its Love Offering Fund to help those experiencing insecurity due to Covid-19, as well as the Black Peer Education Network and Black Youth Employment Assistance Program. Monica also shares how the Black community will always be her priority and the center of her work, the lessons she has learned from the global pandemic, and the consensus that as Black women they should not run themselves ragged in the name of social justice. To learn more about Monica and Black Women in Motion visit blackwomeninmotion.org……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

This week's guest teaches us that it is our differences that make us stronger. Meet Alphonso B. David, an accomplished and nationally recognized LGBTQ2S+ civil rights lawyer and advocate, and the president of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). Mr. David is the first civil rights lawyer and the first person of colour to serve as president of HRC in the organization's nearly 40-year history. He has served at the forefront of the movement for LGBTQ2S+ equality for more than a decade and has worked at both the state and national levels. In this episode, the two discuss his approach to leadership, an approach based on spirit instead of ego, as well as the skills and tools he brings to his role as HRC's first civil rights lawyer as President. He shares his upbringing in the U.S. and Liberia and the effect it had on his view of the value of democracy and the purpose of life. Mr. David also speaks about his experience being a leader in a historically white space and how making a real change means putting ourselves in the shoes of others, while using our history to inform and learn from our current experience. To learn more visit, www.hrc.org.……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

This week on the podcast, host Mungi Ngomane is joined by Theodore R. Johnson III. Theodore is a Senior Fellow and Director of the Fellows Program at the Brennan Center for Justice at the NYU School of Law, where he undertakes research on race, politics, and American identity. Prior to joining the Brennan Center, he was a National Fellow at New America and a Commander in the United States Navy, serving for twenty years in a variety of positions, including as a White House Fellow in the first Obama administration and as speechwriter to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. His work on race relations has appeared in prominent national publications across the political spectrum, such as the New York Times Magazine, the Atlantic, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, and the National Review. In this conversation, Mungi and Theodore touch on his time in the military, the challenges the military faces and the paradox of the Black American experience. Theodore also speaks about his book, When the Stars Begin to Fall: Overcoming Racism and Renewing the Promise of America, which outlines a path toward multiracial national solidarity to finally overcome the existential threat of racism in the United States. He shares honestly where he is in his life's purpose and explains the concept of the power in "I am" instead of "my name is."……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

This week, host Mungi Ngomane is joined by Carole Stone CBE. Carole is a British Author and Freelance Radio and Television Broadcaster, who spent 27 years at the BBC, starting her career as a newsroom secretary and eventually becoming the producer of Radio 4‘s flagship discussion programme, 'Any Questions?' In 2018, Stone established The Carole Stone Foundation to support her belief that connecting people, exchanging ideas, and building friendships around the world is essential to creating a more equitable society. In this episode, Mungi and Carole discuss why networking is so important, and Carole speaks about her journey through grief following the death of her husband, Richard Lindley, in late 2019. The two discuss the causes close to Carole's heart, including eliminating domestic violence and mental health awareness. With both of these causes, Carole highlights the importance of people sharing their stories. She is a true champion for kindness, and like Mungi, is inspired by her mother!……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

Today's guest is the epitome of leadership. This week on the podcast, host Mungi Ngomane is joined by Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes. Serving as Wisconsin's 45th Lieutenant Governor, he was elected on November 8th, 2018 and is the first African American to serve as a Lieutenant Governor in Wisconsin— the second African American to ever hold statewide office. Born and raised in Milwaukee, Lt. Gov. Barnes is the son of a public-school teacher and a manufacturing assembly line worker—both union members to whom he credits with shaping his worldview. The Lieutenant Governor and Mungi discuss the importance of public service in his life, what his role entails, and what needs to change in U.S. politics. Lt. Governor Barnes also shares how his role interacts with structural racism and police violence, and how he tries to create and build bridges. Like many of us, his greatest fear for humanity is climate change, which is why his role serving as the Chair of the Governor's Task Force on Climate Change is so important to him.Milwaukee has been described as one of the worst places to be raised Black, but Lieutenant Governor Barnes was able to see first-hand the difference that opportunity makes. Listen to this episode to hear how he uses a platform of sustainability and equity to fight for solutions that invest in opportunities and fairness for every child, person and family in Wisconsin.……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

This week, Mungi is joined by Randy S. Stevens, the Head of St. Timothy's boarding school for girls, where she attended high school. Randy holds a Bachelor's Degree in Government and International Studies from the University of South Carolina and a Master's of Public Administration from Cornell University. Previously, Randy held various administrative positions including Robert G. Engel Associate Dean of Students at Cornell and served as Dean of Student Life at Northfield Mount Hermon School. In this interview, Randy discusses how he got into education, and some difficult moments that taught him that you always have to have a plan B, plan C or sometimes, even a plan D. Randy and Mungi discuss the importance of teaching critical thinking, and how her time at St. Timothy's shaped her as a woman. Since St. Timothy's was all-white at its founding, Mungi asks how conversations around race have been handled and encouraged at the school. The two speak about girl's education and the pros of single-sex education.……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

This week on the podcast, host Mungi Ngomane is joined by John Allen, a South African journalist with experience in newspapers, news agencies, a journalists' union, churches and South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). Over the course of his career, John has worked in the U.S., the U.K and South Africa, and has won awards in South Africa for his excellence in defence of press freedom, and in the U.S. for excellence in church journalism. John shares his experience working with Mungi's grandfather Archbishop Desmond Tutu for years, and how he went on to write a biography about him titled, "Rabble-Rouser for Peace". The two speak about the importance of relationships and our human qualities that are missing from our resumes, and the skills needed to be a decent journalist in this time of immense misinformation and disinformation.……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

This week, host Mungi Ngomane is joined by British actress, director, and writer Kelechi Okafor. Kelechi is the host of the Say Your Mind podcast, where she explores her journey of unapologetic self-acceptance. Mungi and Kelechi discuss the serious topics of motherhood, racism, and dealing with and overcoming shame. The two discuss the ever-changing concept of empowerment, and how they hope to inspire people to empower themselves in the work they do. Listen to this episode to hear why it's so important to step into yourself unapologetically and not allow Black people's humanity to be put on the table for discussion. To see and hear more of Kelechi, visit www.kelechiokafor.com……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

Sam Bahour is a Palestinian-American, born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio. A well-known businessman and entrepreneur, he is a managing partner of Applied Information Management, a consulting firm specializing in business development with a niche focus on start-ups and providing executive counsel. Sam is known for being instrumental in the establishment of two publicly traded firms: the Palestine Telecommunications Company, which was the first Palestinian private telecommunications platform, and the Arab Palestinian Shopping Center.Sam writes frequently on Palestinian affairs and has been widely published in leading outlets. He is currently an independent director at the Arab Islamic Bank, a policy analyst at Al-Shabaka, The Palestinian Policy Network, and an advisory board member of the Open Society Foundations' MENA Office. Bahour serves in various capacities in several community organizations, including co-founder of Americans for a Vibrant Palestinian Economy, and board member of Just Vision in Washington, D.C. In this enlightening conversation, Sam talks to host Mungi Ngomane about the true source of his motivation behind all the work he does. This episode dives deep into the dignity of the Palestinian people, explains the BDS movement, and discusses the international community's responsibility and lack of action when it comes to Israel-Palestine— as well as what is likely to change and remain the same under the new Prime Minister, Naftali Bennet. Sam also shares some advice for activists and those who may not consider themselves activists. Find him tweeting at @SamBahour and see his blogs and recommended reading list at www.epalestine.ps……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

This week, Olivia Charmaine Morris joins host Mungi Ngomane to talk authenticity, inclusion, and intersectionality. With over a decade of industry experience, Olivia is a film & TV producer, having worked for Kerry Washington's Simpson Street Productions, as well as current shows like "The Last OG", starring Tiffany Haddish and Tracy Morgan. In 2020, Olivia felt the urge to create an authentic space that embraces intersectionality and fosters inclusion. This urge led her to start her own production company, Black Monarch Entertainment. Olivia discusses the lessons she has learned from opening a production company during a pandemic, and the importance of maintaining relationships with her peers in Black Hollywood and Hollywood. To learn more about Olivia and Black Monarch Entertainment, visit www.oliviacharmaine.com……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

This week, host Mungi Ngomane is joined by the Canadian actor and producer behind the Netflix show 21 Thunder, Emmanuel Kabongo. While today he is known for his acting work, few people know that years ago, Emmanuel had to make a choice between the stage and his other passion, basketball. Emmanuel opens up to Mungi about his family's journey moving from the Congo to South Africa, and finally, Canada, and discusses the hardships his family endured while living in South Africa. Listen as the pair discuss the importance of relying on faith and discipline and the role that Emmanuel's mother played in teaching him about honour and sacrifice.……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

This week, we're so excited to introduce the women behind the Instagram account 'No White Saviors'. No White Saviors is an advocacy campaign led by a majority female and majority African team of professionals based in Kampala, Uganda. In this episode, host Mungi Ngomane speaks to Alaso Olivia and Kelsey Neilsen about their work that aims to disrupt and deconstruct the traditional power structures between the African continent and the Western world. Hear all about the "White savior industrial complex," and how White people approach the African continent and its people as if they are heroes swooping in to save the day. Furthermore, Kelsey, a self-described 'White savior in recovery' explains what recovery means and shares suggestions for how White people can be less 'White savior' and more co-conspirators and accomplices. To learn more about the No White Saviors team and their work visit https://nowhitesaviors.org/.……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

This week, Mungi is joined by Faisal Saeed Al Mutar. Faisal was raised in Baghdad and has firsthand experience with authoritarian regimes. An outspoken writer and activist, he survived the Iraq Civil War, the murder of his brother, and several kidnapping attempts before becoming a refugee in the United States in 2013. Faisal has founded several initiatives, including the popular Facebook page Global Conversations, which curates discussion on controversial topics regarding human rights, counter-extremism, and international affairs. In 2017, he founded the nonprofit organization Ideas Beyond Borders, which aims to prevent extremism before it takes root. The organization does this by providing the Arabic world with access to translations of works of science, women’s rights, and enlightenment literature often suppressed by authoritarian regimes and dictatorships. Faisal is a practitioner of counter-extremism on an international scale, having spoken across the globe on his experience using education and technology as a tool to combat extremism. In this episode, he speaks with Mungi about his experience navigating authoritarianism and civil war, what kept him going amidst all the fear, the importance of mental health, and "the racism of lower expectations". To learn more about Ideas Beyond Borders, visit www.ideasbeyondborders.org……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

This week, southern belle, author, and creator Candice Marie Benbow joins Mungi to discuss her work that intersects beauty, baking, faith, feminism, and culture- including a strong emphasis on giving voices to Black women’s shared experiences of healing. Candice has written for various outlets and in 2015, she started the Red Lip Theology podcast to encourage women to embrace themselves. Her first book, “Red Lip Theology: Essays at the Intersection of Faith and Black Feminism”, is currently slated for release in 2022. In May 2016, following the release of Beyoncé’s visual album Lemonade, Candice created the #LemonadeSyllabus hashtag and social media campaign, with contributions from over 70 Black women. Candice released the syllabus as a free downloadable resource of over 250 works centered around the lives of Black women and within the first week, it was downloaded over 40,000 times and has reached over 600,000 downloads. Tune in to hear Candice and Mungi embark on a conversation between friends exploring truthfulness, lessons from the global pandemic, the problem with jealousy and envy, and the importance of granting grace to ourselves and others. To learn more about Candice, visit www.candicebenbow.com.……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

Dr. Aminata Cisse is a board-certified psychiatrist, specializing in the treatment of mental health disorders. As well, she is credited as a creative and writer. One of her most recent pieces, published on her blog 'Am Tarr Musings' explores the fetishism of interracial relationships. This week, host Mungi Ngomane and Aminata have a candid conversation about improving the lives of Black women, what Black women can use to cultivate joy in their lives, and the way our systems need to change in order to allow Black women to thrive. The two have an intimate conversation about their relationships, and Aminata poses the question that she believes all Black women in interracial relationships should ask themselves: “Have I bought into whiteness?” Listen for all this and to hear more about her business, Am Taar Wellness, and her integrated approach to holistic healing and psychiatric care, centred around the needs of women from the African Diaspora. To learn more about Aminata and her work, go to www.amtaarwellness.com……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

The Rt Honourable David Lammy joins host Mungi Ngomane to discuss politics in the UK, his new book, and how he derives so much hope from young people. David has been in the UK Parliament for 21 years and is the Labour MP for Tottenham, Shadow Lord Chancellor, and Shadow Secretary of State for Justice. In addition to his captivating speeches, he is renowned for his role in securing justice for the victims of the Windrush Scandal as well as victims of London's Grenfell Tower Fire. It's no surprise that in 2018, he won both GQ's and the Political Studies Association's Politician of the Year. You may also know David from his work in spearheading the fight against Brexit, pushing for more equal access to universities, and demanding the decolonization of education curriculums and international aid. Listen to this episode to hear what sustains him in difficult moments and see why — not unlike all of us— his greatest fear for humanity is the climate emergency.……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

Shannon Sedgwick Davis joined host Mungi Ngomane to discuss her work as the CEO of the Bridgeway Foundation, a philanthropic organization dedicated to ending and preventing mass atrocities around the world. As an attorney and passionate advocate for social justice, Ms. Sedgwick Davis has guided the Bridgeway Foundation to pioneering solutions to seemingly intractable issues. More recently, Ms. Sedgwick Davis and the Bridgeway Foundation have been credited for their pivotal role in mobilizing awareness, civilian protection, and recovery efforts against the Lord’s Resistance Army and its leader, Joseph Kony; the first-ever indictee of the International Criminal Court. Sustained by the strength of the human heart, Shannon is working every day to champion human rights for those facing great danger and harm. You can read more about Shannon and the true story of the unconventional collaboration and approach she built to stop Joseph Kony and his Lord’s Resistance Army in her book To Stop a Warlord: My Story of Justice, Grace, and the Fight for Peace.……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

Kamal Ahmed is a senior leader at BBC News—formerly an Editorial Director and member of the News Group Board, he was also the on-air Economics and Business Editor, for the BBC both nationally in the UK and globally. In this episode, he tells host Mungi Ngomane about his experience at the Equality and Human Rights Commission where he, along with his team, evolved the outlook on diversity and inclusion; moving from a problem to be solved to an advantage to grasp. If you only take one thing from this episode, it should be to be an active listener, and to iterate: be willing to have conversations. This is so crucial in today's world so we don't find ourselves in the same place 30 years from now; the time for change is now.……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

Prepare for your mind to be blown. In this conversation, Mungi is joined by endurance swimmer and UN Patron of the Oceans, Lewis Pugh. Lewis has completed a long-distance swim in every ocean in the world... no small feat. In this episode, Lewis shares when and why he started swimming--an answer you won't have seen coming. Lewis's point of view is a vital reminder of the importance to preserve and conserve our oceans as part of a bigger conversation around the climate crisis, including an explanation on why humans need to stop eating fish. You'll be amazed by Lewis's achievements, and you'll leave informed thanks to his insights and vast knowledge, along with his advice on how to differentiate inspiration and motivation. To learn more about Lewis and his work visit lewispughfoundation.org……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

Dr. Paula Cordeiro of the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies joins Mungi on this week's episode of Everyday Ubuntu to discuss all things education. Her work goes beyond borders, sharing how crucial it is for everyone around the globe to have access to quality education. In this episode, you'll see how these issues are not confined to any specific nation. For instance, even with all of the developments in the U.S, there is still gross inequity and lack of access. Aside from academia, Dr. Cordeiro is also the VP of Education for Edify, an organization whose mission is to improve and expand sustainable Christian-centred education globally. Edify understands that schools need loans, education technology, and training to truly improve and expand. As a lifetimes learner, her greatest fear for humanity is that we will not learn from our history around conflicts, and repeat avoidable mistakes. To learn more about Edify, please visit edify.org.……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

This week, Everyday Ubuntu host Mungi Ngomane is joined by Saskia Niño de Rivera, a Mexican-American advocate for human rights. In this episode, Niño de Rivera spoke about the organization she founded, Reinserta, and the work it does to reform the penitentiary system in Mexico. Reinserta works with girls, boys, adolescents, and young people who have been exposed to traumatic situations due to the criminal justice system. The organization's intervention is focused on reducing risk factors in their development. This is because they know that coming from a family with a criminal history, or growing up inside a prison should not be a life sentence and predestine them to a lifetime of crime. Reinserta has had a direct positive impact on more than 2,600 people in the prison system, working annually with around 180 adolescents and young people in conflict with the law and in the process of reintegration. The organization also works with more than 200 women deprived of both liberty and their children. Saskia has become an authority on the prison system in Mexico and shares some of her important learnings with podcast listeners. To learn more about Reinserta, visit reinserta.org……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

Rama Chakaki applies 25 years of technical and communications experience to her passion: social development for Arab youth. In this episode, she shares with host Mungi Ngomane why she is compelled to serve, the importance of the human connection, as well as how so much comes down to our connection to nature. Rama runs Chakaki Consulting, as well as VIP.fund, a venture philanthropy fund investing in youth programs and technology startups. In addition to creating space for those not typically afforded it, she works on creating peace through education and technology. Additonally, as a co-founder for edSeed, her philanthropic crowdfunding platform, she oversees all operations for refugee students seeking funding and mentorship for higher education. Her story is one of someone who turns challenges into opportunity, in an effort to reflect on where the imbalance lies and ensure all people are treated with dignity and respect the whole way through.……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

Catherine Mayer is an author and co-founder of the Women's Equality Party in the U.K. In this beautifully raw interview, she opens up in an honest conversation about grief with Everyday Ubuntu host, Mungi Ngomane. Mayer lost her husband, musician Andy Gill, to Covid-19 in February 2020, 41 days after her mother was herself widowed. Though physically isolated, Mother and daughter embarked on this journey of loss and grief together. From there, a book was born, entitled 'Good Grief'. In the course of this conversation, Mayer shares how grief can give you clarity on what truly matters. What does that mean? For Catherine, this was using her time to benefit others, especially with the current state of the world.……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

What is an analytical storyteller? It all comes down to data. Keynote speaker and founder of Miribure: Intelligence company, Suki Fuller, talks Mungi through her journey from a competitive intelligence professional to the space she carved out for herself, and now occupies with pride. As an analytical storyteller, Suki uses data to guide the stories she tells and uses her expertise to 'mitigate risks and build resilience'. Furthermore, she also advises leaders and organizations on how they can elevate humanity, but that's not all. From working for organizations like the Department of Defence, to teaching in schools across the world - she has been described as one of '30 Change Makers to watch for'. In this episode, Suki drops some serious knowledge, including a valuable piece of advice for women when pitching themselves and their ideas.……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

How did a country like Rwanda, which wasn't known for an abundance of resources, didn't have a strong economy, and didn't have high education rates, become a leading example in all these areas? The answer is leadership. Lawyer, cabinet member, and Rwanda Development Board CEO, Clare Akamanzi joined Everyday Ubuntu host Mungi Ngomane to discuss the important role she has played and continues to play in Rwanda's growth and development. Akamanzi was born to refugee parents and is a major proponent for the gravity of maintaining the dignity of every human. In her mission to bring about a prosperous Rwanda, she has focused on the dignity and respect all Rwandans should have for themselves and their nation. Listen to this episode to hear about Rwanda's bright future, what actions the development board takes to make sure that Rwandan businesses are growing and being born every day, and what the future of Rwanda looks like.……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

This week, Mungi is joined by her esteemed friend Samar Ali to discuss freedom, belonging, unity, peace, and Ubuntu. A lawyer, research professor, mediator, author, co-founder, World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, and former White House Fellow, this multi-hyphenate has preserved her family's century-long legacy of working toward peace and freedom for everyone. While Samar describes herself as a "small-town girl," speaking fondly of her upbringing in Waverly, Tennessee, her career and impact span the globe. From a clerkship in South Africa to establishing a law practice in the UAE, and involvement in international mediation, she brings her razor-like focus and thoughtful contributions wherever she goes. In this conversation Tune in to hear Samar and Mungi discuss what's really needed for the U.S. to move forward to and finally start discussing unity.……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

Economics and STEM are fields that have historically lacked in progress when it comes to diversity. In this week’s episode of Everyday Ubuntu, Mungi Ngomane speaks with Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman about being the strong voice that was needed in a field with few women who look like her. The Sadie Collective, co-founded by Anna, is the first non-profit addressing the pipeline and pathway problem for Black women in economics, finance, data science, and public policy. Aside from The Sadie Project, Anna is a researcher and author (her two books are to be released in 2022 and 2023). She is an activist and science communicator who describes herself as a lifelong learner, reminding us all to remain humble and grounded. In 2020, she became the youngest recipient of the CEDAW Women's Rights Award by the UN Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women, previously awarded to Madam Vice President, Kamala Harris, and Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. Her work and passion are bringing about true change by demystifying economics and STEM fields for Black girls and representing Black experiences and voices to bring about structural progress.……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

This week, host Mungi Ngomane speaks with the inspiring and determined Susan Burton, Founder of A New Way of Life Reentry Project, and published author. Ms. Burton has been helping women rebuild their lives after prison and providing the services, advocacy and shelter that they need and are not receiving through the system. Through her own experience rebuilding her life after getting out of jail, Ms. Burton witnessed firsthand how inequitable our society is for the formerly incarcerated. Today, she is helping women who are often unheard tell their stories. In this episode, you'll hear Ms. Burton explain why being described as the "Modern Day Harriet Tubman" is problematic; how we can help formerly incarcerated people and how the police brutality of the past year has affected her.*This episode was recorded before the Senate run-off elections in Georgia.……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

Twin brothers Byron and Dexter Peart join host Mungi Ngomane to speak about the new mission they embarked on in 2017. The designers and creative directors wanted to offer products that took into account both purpose and impact, so they founded GOODEE, following their success with brand and retailer WANT Les Essentiels. GOODEEE is a marketplace offering sustainable solutions for modern living. The products it sells and the artisans the brand purchases from all have a positive social or environmental impact. In this episode, Byron and Dexter discuss the high sustainability standards they adhere to at GOODEE and how they enforce them—which is also what led them to obtain certification as a B Corp. Byron and Dexter also talk about the importance that family has played their entire lives and why they continue to work together towards making the world a better place. ……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

In this week’s episode, host Mungi Ngomane is joined by her former colleague Maryam Abolfazli, Social Impact Consultant and Author, for a conversation that touches on the Christmas Day terrorist bombing in Nashville and the attempted coup at the Capitol on January 6th. Maryam brings to light the perspectives we all need to consider and talks about her recently released political novel, Red Red. She addresses how the pandemic has affected her and shares how she’s been asking herself 'what is important, what are our values and what are we willing to sacrifice so everyone can have a more peaceful life?'. In true Ubuntu fashion, Mungi invites us all to do the same.……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

Anthony Abraham Jack has made it his mission to study the shortfalls of our higher education system when it comes to disadvantaged students, a group he separates into two categories: the "Doubly Disadvantaged" and the "Privileged Poor”. Anthony is an Author, a Junior Fellow at the Harvard Society of Fellows and an Assistant Professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education whose research and writing have been featured in The New York Times, The Atlantic, The New Yorker, The Chronicle of Higher Education, and NPR to name a few. In his book, The Privileged Poor: How Elite Colleges Are Failing Disadvantaged Students, he illustrates how "access isn't inclusion" and teaches us how to be more inclusive when it comes to higher education so that our colleges and universities can truly be places of opportunity. In this episode, Anthony’s conversation with Mungi highlights the Ubuntu lesson of ‘putting ourselves in the shoes of others’ to better understand their experiences, especially those that we wrongly assume are ‘the same as us’.……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

Natasha Thahane, Actress, Brand Ambassador for Garnier and Mungi’s cousin joins the podcast host in this episode. In this conversation, Natasha shares the importance her family has in her life, as well as her spirituality. With several successful South African TV shows under her belt, including a hit series on Netflix, Natasha has never taken fame for granted. She speaks of her new title of Executive Producer thanks to the creation of her very own production company, Thahane Media. Through the anecdotes and life philosophy she shares while recounting her struggles and triumphs, it is clear that Natasha is inspired by the Ubuntu lesson of “Choosing hope over optimism”.……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

Liberian activist Kula Fofana, President of the People’s Foundation Africa and Entrepreneur, is passionate about diversity, feminism and social and transitional justice. Through her work, she is committed to helping marginalized and hard to reach communities in her own country and across Africa. She also serves as a consultant for several UN missions.In her conversation with host Mungi Ngomame, Kula talks about her childhood growing up during the civil war in Liberia and how, based on her own experience, she thinks the world community can help youth affected by war anywhere in the world. Kula ran for Senate in her home country and even though she lost, she still continues to provide services for her community. She sees failure as an essential step on the path to success, and draws inspiration from the lessons she learns along the way — even quoting the Liberian saying ‘You sit on an old mat to make a new one’. Serving as an inspiration to all, Kula’s story illustrates the Ubuntu lesson of 'Choosing to See the Wider Perspective' through her commitment to social justice, education and her community.……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

Jody Williams, Peace Activist, Professor and 1997 Recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize joins Mungi on Everyday Ubuntu this week. As the founding coordinator of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, Jody and the campaign won the Nobel Peace Prize for their work in banning and clearing anti-personnel landmines. In this conversation, Jody speaks of how she got into the work that has been described as "life-threatening human rights work", though she happens to think that's a bit of a ‘dramatic description’ herself. She was instrumental in launching the Nobel Women’s Initiative in 2006 with sister laureate Dr. Shirin Ebadi and she speaks to Mungi about the strengths that come from bringing this cohort of women together to work for justice and progress. Recalling the Ubuntu lesson 'Strength lies in unity', Jody's work embodies the good that can be done when we actually work together. There's even a bit of a discussion about food from her cookbook 'Ingredients for Peace'!……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

Gina Miller joined Mungi to discuss her multifaceted work as an entrepreneur, philanthropist and Tutu Foundation UK Ambassador. Known as the woman who challenged and successfully sued the UK government not once but twice, Gina shares more about her life in this episode—but she also discusses the cases and their importance.Gina embodies Ubuntu in her constant willingness to advocate for truth, transparency and social justice. In 2017, she was named as Britain's most influential Black person while at the same time receiving death threats as part of the backlash for the cases she took to the UK Supreme Court. The dignity and respect Gina has for herself has both allowed her to thrive as an individual but also to continue to fight for what is right and just for all of us.……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

This week Eva Hartling, founder of The Brand is Female agency and podcast as well as producer of the Everyday Ubuntu podcast, joined Mungi to speak about spending 20 years in the corporate world and then finally giving into her desire to amplify women's voices and promote women's rights.She shares the reality women face in the corporate world, TBIF's origin story and the women changemakers she admires. As listeners of her podcast know well, Eva always asks guests what they "wish women would do more of" and Mungi finally gets to ask the question of her. Eva's belief that women don't struggle with a lack of skills or abilities but instead with the confidence or resources when it comes to get their businesses off the ground or take a major chance is a driving force behind her journey with The Brand is Female.……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

June Sarpong OBE, the BBC's first Director of Creative Diversity joined Mungi to discuss her life and work educating and challenging people to change society for the better. In addition to being an internationally renowned broadcaster, she is the co-founder of the Decide Act Now summit and the Women - Inspiration and Enterprise Alliance supporting female excellence and empowerment.Mungi and June talked about her newest book, The Power of Privilege: How White People Can Challenge Racism and her recent takeover of Victoria Beckham's Instagram account as part of the #sharethemicuk campaign to amplify Black British voices. June is a passionate campaigner for diversity and inclusion who believes in the inherent goodness of people. Her infectious laugh and the stories she shares inspire you to believe in the good of everyone too.……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

In this special episode, Nontombi Naomi Tutu—a priest, public speaker, social justice activist and most importantly Mungi's mom—joins the podcast. She discusses growing up in apartheid South Africa, avoiding becoming a priest like her father, Reverend Desmond Tutu, and finally giving in and joining the clergy in her fifties.In this conversation, Mungi and Naomi explore how the entire human family loses out when people are oppressed, and how to find joy even through life’s difficulties. Naomi also addresses the similarities between the fight against apartheid and today’s activism in the United States and beyond. This episode crosses over several Ubuntu concepts; after all, it was Mungi’s mom who taught her about the South African philosophy. Naomi’s lessons about humanity and social justice remind us that we are only who we are because of other people.……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

Thandeka Tutu-Gxashe, CEO of the Desmond Tutu Tutudesk Campaign Centre, spoke to Mungi about the ways we carry on the legacy of our parents, whether we are aware or not. She shared her journey from public health and clinical research to running Tutudesk, a charitable educational organisation which addresses the 95 million desk shortage for children in schools across sub-Saharan Africa. Her passion for education and public health, especially the fight against HIV/AIDS, and improving the health and education experiences of young people—thus promoting global peace and justice—has led her journey until now. She speaks about the impact of Covid-19 and how it brought to light the inequities in our world as well as the reset we now need to make our world more equitable. Thandeka teaches us that this is all possible through "our little bits of good" as her father says, because strength lies in unity!……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

Charlotte McClain-Nhlapo, the Global Disability Advisor for the World Bank and 'Aunt Charlotte' to Mungi sheds light on the important conversations we need to be having about true inclusivity. She speaks of her youth growing up with activist parents, the car accident that left her disabled and the work she has been doing her entire life to protect children, to advocate for people living with disabilities and ultimately, to unite us all. In her professional career, Charlotte has been appointed to roles by not one but two men who were the first Black President in their respective countries: Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama. Her experiences and lessons recall the Ubuntu lesson 'Embrace our diversity'.……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

This week, British footballer Jack Collison joined Mungi to talk about one of the loves of his life, football. He started playing when he was young and went pro at a young age too but with that came early retirement due to injury. Following this heartbreak, Jack returned to the field coaching young footballers and sharing the things he learned from his experiences.His lessons from being part of a team from a young age, starting the Jack Collison Soccer School and coaching young footballers mirror the Ubuntu lesson that 'Little Things Make a Big Difference'.……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram

Lawyer and politician Jason Carter joined Mungi to discuss a reality they both know well: "being the grandson or granddaughter of". In this episode, Jason, grandson of President Jimmy Carter shares his thoughts around the privilege that comes from being related to a former U.S. President. He also speaks about his experience in the Peace Corps in South Africa, a time where he learned about Ubuntu from his adopted "Gogo" (grandmother). He explains how he tries to live the ideals of Ubuntu today, including by teaching its lessons to his children. Jason also addresses the need for the new generation, his included, to take over from the elders who have been leading the Civil Rights movement for so long. Jason's connection to Ubuntu, South Africa and its impact on his life emphasize the Ubuntu lesson ‘Seek out ways to connect’ — those magical moments where we learn a lot more than we expected.……..Visit mungingomane.coFollow Mungi on InstagramFollow The Brand is Female on Instagram