Inspiring, motivating, and full of wonder, discover how those who succeed do it. Hear what drives each of our dynamic guests to overcome obstacles and hear stories of their accomplishments.
In this episode of Third Culture Africans, Arese Ugwu and Nkiru Balonwu join Zeze Oriaikhi-Sao to discuss financial literacy, storytelling, and African soft power. Discover the unexpected journey of two powerful African women as they share their stories of frustration, vulnerability, and success. From bestselling books to groundbreaking apps, their fearless pursuit of empowerment will inspire and challenge you. Join us as we unravel the untold chapters of their lives and explore the power of African storytelling. Are you ready to be captivated by their remarkable narratives and gain valuable insights into financial literacy and impactful storytelling? Stay tuned for an eye-opening conversation that promises to redefine your perspective on success. In this episode, you will be able to: Discover the rich heritage of African storytelling traditions, brought to life in engaging podcasts. Unlock the power of financial literacy, tailored to empower African women and transform their futures. Immerse yourself in uplifting narratives that showcase the positive representation of African culture. Explore the profound impact of African storytelling on driving meaningful change within communities. Experience the empowerment that comes from harnessing the art of African storytelling to inspire and uplift. Arese emphasizes the importance of financial literacy for women, drawing attention to the gender disparity in this area. Nkiru highlights the need for Africans to showcase the positive aspects of their culture and heritage through storytelling, countering prevalent negative narratives about the continent. The conversation delves into the transformative power of storytelling in shaping perceptions, fostering empathy, and promoting cultural appreciation. Arese and Nkiru's insights underscore the significance of promoting financial literacy, celebrating African culture, and harnessing the power of storytelling to drive meaningful societal impact and empowerment. They share personal experiences, emphasizing the value of embracing vulnerability, seizing opportunities, and fostering collaboration within the African diaspora. This engaging episode offers valuable lessons for aspiring storytellers and advocates for change, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in amplifying underrepresented voices and fostering community empowerment. The key moments in this episode are:00:00:00 - Introducing Third Culture Africans 00:02:14 - The Goal of Third Culture Africans 00:04:16 - Shailene Quails' Story of Stories 00:11:34 - The Power of Storytelling 00:18:18 - Smart Money Woman on Netflix 00:19:34 - The Power of Financial Literacy 00:27:47 - The Impact of Storytelling 00:28:50 - Celebrating African Culture 00:30:54 - Creating Compelling Characters 00:34:08 - Balancing Storytelling 00:36:04 - The Importance of Balancing African Storytelling 00:39:18 - Beginning Your Storytelling Journey 00:42:18 - Frustration as a Driving Force 00:45:36 - Embracing Vulnerability in Storytelling 00:48:51 - Storytelling from Frustration 00:53:13 - Impact of Nigerian Men on Women Worldwide 00:55:37 - Definition of Success 00:57:31 - Book Recommendations for Storytelling 01:00:02 - Thanking the Audience and Closing Remarks Check out The Smart Money Woman by Arese Ugwu for practical financial advice and inspiring storytelling. Explore The Richard Different by Susan Howich for a captivating and timeless read that has stood the test of time. Discover So Long a Letter by Mariama Ba for a thought-provoking and impactful story about women's experiences. ----- Join the newsletter community at thirdcultureafricans.com for exclusive content and updates. Check out Quidco, UK's number one cashback platform, to earn cashback on over 5000 brands and get a 15 pound new bonus credit when you join using the provided link. Browse or search Quidco for great cashback rates, huge discounts, and vouchers at all your favorite brands. Visit Ziva for stylish clothing and kids' toys, and explore the unique pieces that are available. Watch the Real Housewives of Lagos to see Ziva pieces worn by the cast and get inspired by the fashion showcased on the show. Subscribe to Third Culture Africans for more inspiring stories and diverse perspectives on African success and culture. Join our community and stay connected. Visit our website, follow us on social media, and be part of the conversation. Your support means the world to us! Facebook Youtube LinkedIn ----- Unlock Extra Savings with Quidco - Your Ultimate Cashback Platform! Welcome to the world of extra rewards every time you shop online! We're thrilled to introduce our show sponsor, Quidco, the UK's leading cashback platform. Why Quidco? Discover the simplicity of earning cashback on over 5,000 popular brands. Whether it's fashion, tech, gifts, DIY, beauty, or more, Quidco has you covered. How it Works: Browse & Search: Explore Quidco for unbeatable cashback rates, massive discounts, and exclusive vouchers from your favourite brands. Earn Big: Make your usual shopping more rewarding than ever by earning cashback on your online purchases. Get a £15 Bonus: Join Quidco now and enjoy an exclusive £15 bonus when you sign up*. Why Wait? Start Earning Today! Quidco makes earning cashback on your online shopping easier than ever. Don't miss out on extra savings – join now and make every purchase count! Join Quidco Today for Extra Cashback and Exclusive Bonuses!* *Terms and conditions apply.
In this episode of the Third Culture Africans podcast, Sola Oyebade, also known as Mr. Mahogany, shares his remarkable journey from model to founder of Mahogany Productions and Events, one of Africa's largest model agencies. Sola's early interest in the fashion industry began during his secondary school days, where he organized fashion shows as part of literary and debating societies. His entrepreneurial resilience and commitment to diversity in the fashion and events industry are truly inspiring. He faced challenges and overcame societal stigmas to establish businesses that showcase diversity, such as the Mahogany Bridal Show and Mahogany Models. Sola's insights into navigating the fashion industry, empowering models of color, and building successful ventures provide a wealth of knowledge for aspiring entrepreneurs in the fashion and events industry. His determination to make a meaningful impact and contribute to the industry's growth makes this episode a must-listen for anyone seeking guidance in building a diverse and successful fashion business. Timestamped summary of this episode: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Mr. Mahogany Zeze introduces the guest, Sola Oyebade, also known as Mr. Mahogany. She highlights his achievements as a multi-award-winning founder in production events and the owner of one of the largest model agencies in Africa. 00:02:30 - Early Journey into Modeling Sola shares his journey into the modeling industry, starting from his time in secondary school to funding his university education through modeling. He discusses the challenges of being a male model in the UK and the lack of opportunities for black models at the time. 00:07:05 - Setting Up Mahogany Sola explains the motivation behind setting up the Mahogany bridal shows and model agency, emphasizing the need to represent people of color in the wedding and modeling industries. He discusses the challenges and initial stages of establishing the business. 00:12:15 - Addressing Racism in the Industry Sola addresses the pushback and accusations of racism he faced for promoting black models. He shares his efforts in educating the media and breaking down the lack of representation in top modeling agencies. Sola highlights the success of the Italian Vogue all-black issue. 00:13:43 - Curating Our Own Stories Zeze and Sola discuss the importance of curating and telling their own stories, challenging the traditional media's narrative. They emphasize the need for empowerment and representation within the black community, and the impact of curating 00:14:40 - Telling Our Own Story Sola Oyebade discusses the importance of telling our own stories and doing things for ourselves, particularly in the UK. He emphasizes the need for businesses to be self-financing and the challenges faced in competing with mainstream agencies. 00:18:45 - Citizens Advice Bureau Sola talks about his role as CEO of the East End Citizens Advice Bureau, a charity that provides legal advice and assistance to those who cannot afford it. He highlights the importance of fundraising for each office and the challenges of managing multiple boroughs. 00:19:48 - Building Infrastructure Sola shares his experience of building infrastructure for his events production business, particularly in the African market. He discusses the challenges of gaining trust from mainstream agencies and the need to build capital and business relationships. 00:24:47 - Demystifying Success Sola reflects on the journey of building his business, emphasizing the importance of hard work, persistence, and consistency. He stresses the value of doing what one loves and providing a service that people want, rather than focusing solely on money. 00:28:55 - Working with Young People Sola discusses the impact of the internet on the current generation of young entrepreneurs and the opportunities it presents. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship and knowledge sharing with young people to help them navigate the business world. 00:29:20 - Evolution of Advertising in the Fashion Industry Sola Oyebade shares how he used to advertise his nightclub through pirate radio and flyers, contrasting it with the ease of online advertising today. He reflects on the significant advantages Gen Z has with the power of the internet. 00:32:28 - Impact of Social Media on Advertising Sola discusses the drastic change in advertising costs and reach due to social media. He highlights the accessibility and affordability of reaching thousands of people with just a single online post, contrasting it with the high costs and limited reach of traditional advertising methods. 00:34:06 - Influence of Models and Influencers Sola explains the differences between models and influencers, emphasizing how models primarily showcase clothing, while influencers create a dream-like association with their audience. He also notes the merging of models and influencers in the industry today. 00:37:26 - The Power of Social Media and Timing Sola reflects on the impact of social media on influential figures like Ronaldo and the potential influence it could have had on past sports icons like Maradona and Pele. He emphasizes the importance of timing and how he would have leveraged his knowledge if born in the current era. 00:43:06 - Influence from African Americans Sola shares how African Americans influenced him when he started in an environment with no fashion or entertainment industry. He admired the struggles and achievements of publications like Ebony, leading him to create a company name that represented people of color. 00:45:28 - The Importance of Giving Back and Sharing Knowledge Sola Oyebade discusses the importance of saying no, sharing knowledge, and giving back to the community. He highlights the value of helping others and the impact it can have on their success. 00:46:59 - Defining Success Beyond Money Sola Oyebade shares his perspective on success, emphasizing that it's not solely about money. He believes success is about leaving a legacy, making a positive impact, and being recognized for one's contributions. 00:49:49 - Advice for Young Dreamers and Entrepreneurs Sola Oyebade provides valuable advice for young individuals with big dreams, emphasizing the importance of learning their trade, finding their area of expertise, and being persistent and consistent in their pursuits. 00:56:01 - Balancing Confidence and Authenticity in Business Sola Oyebade discusses the cultural differences in promoting oneself and the importance of balancing confidence with authenticity. He highlights the need to step into and celebrate achievements while remaining genuine and grounded. 00:59:35 - Show Support for Third Culture Africans Zeze Oriaikhi-Sao and Sola Oyebade encourage listeners to support the show by sharing episodes, commenting on social media, joining the newsletter community, or leaving a review. 00:59:35 - Importance of Community Support The hosts stress the importance of community support in making the show bigger and express gratitude to those who have supported the podcast. 00:59:35 - Call to Action Listeners are called to action to help the show grow by engaging with the content and spreading the word to friends and on social media. 00:59:35 - Gratitude and Farewell Zeze and Sola express their thanks to the audience and sign off, looking forward to the next episode. Visit mahoganyinternational.com for corporate event production and fashion show services. Contact details are available on the website. Explore fashionsfinestafrica.com for opportunities to learn about the fashion industry, attend workshops, and participate in the annual epic show. The website also provides contact information. For those in the UK, check out fashionsfinestuk.com to stay updated on the London Fashion Week show held every February and September. Interested in modeling? Visit mahoganymodelmanagement.com to learn more about mahogany models and the opportunities available. Contact details are provided on the website. Follow the Instagram handles of the respective companies for the latest updates and insights: @mahoganyinternational, @ffevents (Fashion Finest Africa), and other relevant handles for specific companies. ----- Join the newsletter community at thirdcultureafricans.com for exclusive content and updates. Check out Quidco, UK's number one cashback platform, to earn cashback on over 5000 brands and get a 15 pound new bonus credit when you join using the provided link. Browse or search Quidco for great cashback rates, huge discounts, and vouchers at all your favorite brands. Visit Ziva for stylish clothing and kids' toys, and explore the unique pieces that are available. Watch the Real Housewives of Lagos to see Ziva pieces worn by the cast and get inspired by the fashion showcased on the show. Subscribe to Third Culture Africans for more inspiring stories and diverse perspectives on African success and culture. Join our community and stay connected. Visit our website, follow us on social media, and be part of the conversation. Your support means the world to us! Facebook Youtube LinkedIn ----- Unlock Extra Savings with Quidco - Your Ultimate Cashback Platform! Welcome to the world of extra rewards every time you shop online! We're thrilled to introduce our show sponsor, Quidco, the UK's leading cashback platform. Why Quidco? Discover the simplicity of earning cashback on over 5,000 popular brands. Whether it's fashion, tech, gifts, DIY, beauty, or more, Quidco has you covered. How it Works: Browse & Search: Explore Quidco for unbeatable cashback rates, massive discounts, and exclusive vouchers from your favourite brands. Earn Big: Make your usual shopping more rewarding than ever by earning cashback on your online purchases. Get a £15 Bonus: Join Quidco now and enjoy an exclusive £15 bonus when you sign up*. Why Wait? Start Earning Today! Quidco makes earning cashback on your online shopping easier than ever. Don't miss out on extra savings – join now and make every purchase count! Join Quidco Today for Extra Cashback and Exclusive Bonuses!* *Terms and conditions apply.
In this episode of the Third Culture Africans podcast, host Zeze Oriaikhi-Sao delves into a captivating conversation with Tania Omotayo, an influential figure known for her multifaceted journey through TV, entrepreneurship, and authorship. Tania's unique blend of Austrian and Nigerian heritage, along with her experiences of culture shock and navigating different societies, offers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by individuals with multicultural backgrounds. Through her rebellious nature and determination to carve her own path, Tania emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself. Her success as an author, entrepreneur, and reality TV star serves as an inspiration for entrepreneurs and aspiring reality TV personalities, showcasing the power of embracing one's unique identity. Prominently featured on The Real Housewives of Lagos, Tania Omotayo cleverly harnessed her fame to enhance her brand visibility. Despite the reality show's unpredictable nature, Tania utilized it as an international platform to give her brand, Ziva, great exposure. She learned to handle the drama and the spotlight, underlining that even negative publicity can boost a brand if handled smartly. Tania's journey highlights the necessity for empathy and understanding in a diverse world and provides a compelling narrative that encourages personal growth and brand success. If you're seeking inspiration and insights into navigating multiple cultures while pursuing your entrepreneurial dreams, this episode is a must-listen. KEY MOMENTS 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background 00:06:03 - Transition to America 00:12:26 - Public Relationship with Wizkid 00:15:52 - Handling Public Attention 00:16:33 - Starting Ziva and Overcoming Challenges 00:21:17 - Expansion to Kids' Clothing and Toys 00:22:43 - Writing "Sarai", Identity, and Racism 00:23:25 - Navigating Mixed Heritage and Identity 00:31:04 - Joining Real Housewives of Lagos 00:31:47 - Embracing a New Challenge 00:35:27 - Leveraging an International Platform 00:37:33 - Realities of Reality TV 00:40:21 - Leveraging Publicity for Business 00:42:59 - Managing Fame and Public Perception 00:46:34 - Embracing Self-Confidence 00:47:17 - Pursue Your Happiness 00:48:10 - Misconceptions About Success 00:49:03 - Overcoming Challenges 00:51:23 - Closing Remarks ----- Join the newsletter community at thirdcultureafricans.com for exclusive content and updates. Check out Quidco, UK's number one cashback platform, to earn cashback on over 5000 brands and get a 15 pound new bonus credit when you join using the provided link. Browse or search Quidco for great cashback rates, huge discounts, and vouchers at all your favorite brands. Visit Ziva for stylish clothing and kids' toys, and explore the unique pieces that are available. Watch the Real Housewives of Lagos to see Ziva pieces worn by the cast and get inspired by the fashion showcased on the show. Subscribe to Third Culture Africans for more inspiring stories and diverse perspectives on African success and culture. Join our community and stay connected. Visit our website, follow us on social media, and be part of the conversation. Your support means the world to us! Facebook Youtube LinkedIn ----- Unlock Extra Savings with Quidco - Your Ultimate Cashback Platform! Welcome to the world of extra rewards every time you shop online! We're thrilled to introduce our show sponsor, Quidco, the UK's leading cashback platform. Why Quidco? Discover the simplicity of earning cashback on over 5,000 popular brands. Whether it's fashion, tech, gifts, DIY, beauty, or more, Quidco has you covered. How it Works: Browse & Search: Explore Quidco for unbeatable cashback rates, massive discounts, and exclusive vouchers from your favourite brands. Earn Big: Make your usual shopping more rewarding than ever by earning cashback on your online purchases. Get a £15 Bonus: Join Quidco now and enjoy an exclusive £15 bonus when you sign up*. Why Wait? Start Earning Today! Quidco makes earning cashback on your online shopping easier than ever. Don't miss out on extra savings – join now and make every purchase count! Join Quidco Today for Extra Cashback and Exclusive Bonuses!* *Terms and conditions apply.
In this episode of the Third Culture Africans podcast, Banke Kuku, a renowned fashion designer and founder of the brand Banké Cuku, shares her journey in the fashion industry, discussing challenges, growth strategies, and the future of Nigerian fashion. Banke's experience working with the Designers Guild and her focus on sustainability and collaboration provide valuable insights for fashion entrepreneurs in Nigeria. She emphasizes the importance of industry experience, scalability, and adapting to local markets. From her reflections on the challenges of the lockdown period to her commitment to maintaining high standards and sustainability, Banke's story offers inspiration and practical advice for aspiring designers and entrepreneurs looking to grow their brands in Nigeria's fashion industry. Her optimism and determination to create a sustainable and thriving industry make this episode a must-listen for fashion enthusiasts and entrepreneurs seeking to navigate the complexities of the Nigerian fashion landscape.,In this episode of the Third Culture Africans podcast, renowned fashion designer Banke Kuku, founder of the brand Banké Cuku, offers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities within the Nigerian fashion industry. With a wealth of experience, including her work with the Designers Guild, Banke discusses the importance of industry experience, scalability, and sustainability. She shares her journey, from navigating the challenges of the lockdown period to her commitment to maintaining high standards and sustainability in her brand. Her optimism and determination to create a thriving industry make this episode essential listening for fashion enthusiasts and entrepreneurs seeking to navigate and contribute to the growth of the Nigerian fashion landscape. Banke's practical advice and inspirational journey provide valuable takeaways for those looking to make their mark in the industry. • Follow Banke Kuku on Instagram at @bankekukuliving for updates on the new collection and store expansion. • Visit Banke Kuku's store in Lagos, Nigeria to shop the new collection and experience the expanded space. • Stay tuned for the grand opening of the expanded store to explore the new offerings and shop for Christmas. • Check out Banke Kuku's website for more information on the brand, collections, and upcoming events. • Keep an eye out for the latest designs and products from Banke Kuku, available for purchase in-store and online. Subscribe to Third Culture Africans for more inspiring stories and diverse perspectives on African success and culture. Join our community and stay connected. Visit our website, follow us on social media, and be part of the conversation. Your support means the world to us! Explore our Website and Join the community
In this episode of Third Culture Africans, Zeze engages in a conversation with Adora Nwodo, a dynamic woman in the tech world. Her career seamlessly blends the corporate nine-to-five routine with entrepreneurial pursuits, driven by her passion for engineering, STEM, and the captivating world of software development. This episode kicks off by diving into the essential realms of STEM and AI. Unfamiliar with STEM? It stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math—encompassing diverse fields like mathematics, physics, aerospace engineering, and medicine. Now, let's delve into Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its impact on STEM careers. AI, a pivotal part of technology, relies on and empowers STEM professionals. These careers extend beyond AI development, involving customising and utilising AI in various domains like health tech, autonomous vehicles, and aerospace engineering. While STEM skills are highly valued, AI's rise sparks both job redundancy concerns and new opportunities—a conversation you can't miss! Zeze and Adora explore Adora's journey into tech, strategies for breaking barriers for women in tech and how to connect individuals with opportunities while providing technical guidance. They also discuss exciting trends in the African tech industry. Nwodo's tech passion ignited in Nigeria at the age of six, guided by her older brothers. She embarked on a lifelong love affair with technology, eventually earning a First-Class Honors degree in computer science from the University of Lagos (UNILAG). Marked by her determination to forge her path and exceed her family's expectations, Adora began a career in the tech industry. During her university years, she took on a role as a software intern at an advertising company, a position she continued even after completing her NYSC service. This phase played a pivotal role in her journey, exposing her to diversity, broadening her perspective, and requiring her to balance multiple responsibilities, including being a working student, managing her shoe brand, and actively participating in tech communities. In her current role, Adora plays a pivotal role in NexaScale, a community group dedicated to facilitating valuable work experience for individuals through a range of projects and programs. When it comes to empowering women in tech, support systems are crucial. It is a cause close to her heart, clearly demonstrated by her active participation in NexaScale for women. Here, she conducts sessions on financial literacy and personal branding, with the aim of uplifting and educating aspiring female tech professionals. Regarding the future of the tech industry in Africa, Adora highlights the immense potential of young Africans, particularly millennials and Gen Z, who are making significant contributions to the global tech landscape. Africa is emerging as an attractive market, with its young creators and engineers gaining recognition worldwide. The creator economy is thriving in Africa, with young content creators dominating platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Additionally, Africa's growing remote workforce is playing a pivotal role in the industry's development. Tune in, this is a MUST-listen! For all those interested in tech careers, especially young Africans aspiring to make their mark in the industry, this is a MUST-listen! You will learn about the thrilling synergy of STEM, AI, and African tech and gain valuable insights into shaping your own tech journey. About Adora Nwodo: Adora Nwodo is a multi-award-winning Software Engineer who currently works at Microsoft building Mixed Reality on the Cloud. She is also the Vice President of the Nigerian chapter for VRAR Association, a Digital Creator, Founder of NexaScale, has courses online that teaches people about Infrastructure automation, author of a popular book "Cloud Engineering for Beginners" and multiple articles on Software Engineering, Productivity & Career Growth on her blog “AdoraHack” and student of LEAD in the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. Adora spends a lot of her time on Twitter and LinkedIn sharing about her experience as a woman in tech. She is extremely passionate about the developer community and is trying to drive inclusion for women in technology. She co-organizes community events for unStack Africa, contributes to Open Source, and speaks at technology conferences worldwide. Topics:
In this episode of Third Culture Africans, Zeze engages in a captivating conversation with Seun Oduwole, the Principal Architect at SI.SA. (Studio Imagine Simple Architecture), renowned for their innovative architectural designs. Together, they explore Seun's inspiring journey and his transformative project, the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, which transcends conventional architecture to celebrate the rich influences shaping Yoruba culture. This ongoing urban regeneration initiative in Onikan, Lagos, plays a pivotal role in transforming the Marina and Onikan region into a vibrant tourism destination, honouring Yoruba culture throughout history. The architectural design skillfully translates Yoruba values, paying homage to its historical significance. This episode showcases the evolution of a simple concept into a profound cultural landmark challenging museological paradigms – a must-listen!
In this episode of Third Culture Africans, Zeze engages in a deep conversation with Ayo Akinwolere, a prominent figure in the UK's media landscape, touching on his versatile career, personal journey, and cultural perspectives on success. They explore the Nigerian concept of achievement, driven by a higher power, in contrast to societies valuing individual effort. Ayo's late realization of self-celebration, his transformative role as the first black Blue Peter presenter, and his two world records exemplify his unique journey. The conversation extends to Milk First Productions' mission to address police brutality and racism, offering insights into financial realities and concluding with Ayo's evolving definition of success, centered on equilibrium and self-worth. This episode is a captivating journey through Ayo Akinwolere's multifaceted career and cultural exploration.
In this episode of Third Culture Africans, Zeze engages in a captivating conversation with Ikena Carreira, a social entrepreneur whose remarkable journey encompasses entrepreneurship, UN collaborations, television roles, and transformative career shifts. Ikena's narrative unveils her family's history rooted in Angola's struggle for independence, providing profound insights into the sacrifices and triumphs that shaped her perspective on identity. The dialogue delves into the podcast's mission, emphasising the nuanced nature of African identity and the power of cultural bridges. It explores Ikena's career journey from academia to media and her founding of StandSeven, a platform championing African craftsmanship and luxury. The conversation also probes the challenges of sustainability-focused entrepreneurship and the complexities of maintaining authenticity in a shifting African business landscape. Ikena shares her transition from entrepreneurship to the UN and imparts valuable insights on fundraising, motherhood, and the profound impact of self-belief. Discover Ikena's inspiring initiative, Train Clinic, and explore diverse experiences woven with themes of innovation, identity, and service.
In this live episode of Third Culture Africans, recorded at Soho House, Zeze warmly invites accomplished figures Yvonne Modupe Telford, Rene Macdonald, and William J. M. Chilila to the stage for a lovely and inspiring conversation. These guests share their insights, struggles, and triumphs, offering a glimpse into their journeys in #creativity and business, with a focus on #Africanfashion, #Africancuisine, and entrepreneurship. From Yvonne's aspiration of a flamboyant clothing shop to Rene's Tanzanian upbringing amidst adversity that ignited her fashion passion, and William's culinary journey rooted in his grandmother's kitchen, each narrative is a testament to determination and heritage. Yvonne's Kemi Telford brand, Rene's Lisou, and William's culinary exploits reflect their unique paths, bolstered by strong support networks. Amidst the challenges of a competitive industry, these entrepreneurs embrace self-validation, resilience, and commitment to principles. The impact of the pandemic on their ventures underscores the importance of adaptability. United by purpose, their stories resonate as inspiration for aspiring black entrepreneurs and creatives, highlighting the transformative power of creativity and entrepreneurship in shaping cultures and industries.
In this episode of Third Culture Africans, Zeze interviews Ngoni Chikwenengere, the ingenious force behind We Are Kin, a women's wear size-inclusive slow fashion brand rooted in sustainability. Ngoni's journey unfolds from transitioning to London at 10, overcoming challenges tied to her African heritage, to founding a blog at 16 that evolved into discussing fashion trends and forging connections with like-minded enthusiasts worldwide. The episode delves into Ngoni's leap into fashion entrepreneurship, establishing "We Are Kin" shortly after graduating from university. The brand's commitment to sustainability through end-of-line fabrics, eco-friendly materials, and a close manufacturing partnership sets it apart. Notably, the brand offers a size range from 6 to 26, showcasing Ngoni's dedication to inclusivity, along with her innovative use of 3D renders that adds a unique dimension to her fashion line. Beyond fashion, Ngoni's lifestyle blogging authenticity fosters trust, while her pragmatic social media strategy involves frequent posting and prioritizing sales. The episode resonates with Ngoni's entrepreneurial drive within the African diaspora, embodying a narrative of visionary sustainability.
In this episode of Third Culture Africans, Zeze interviews Kennedy Ekezie-Joseph, a young entrepreneur and CEO of Kippa. They delve into Kennedy's journey, highlighting his passion for creating socio-economic prosperity in Africa and how his background in philosophy and debating has influenced his success. From being a former national debate champion to working with TikTok and Accenture, Kennedy's career path shaped his latest venture, Kippa, a fintech startup based in Nigeria. Kippa raised an impressive $3.2 million in pre-seed funding, making it one of Africa's largest early-stage fund-raises. The conversation covers the challenges of fundraising for startups and the significance of focusing on small businesses in Africa, showcasing Kennedy's dedication to empowering them with efficient financial tools through Kippa. The episode emphasizes knowing your business, understanding investors, and tailoring pitches for success, inspiring young entrepreneurs with a vision for change. Join Zeze and Kennedy as they explore fintech, entrepreneurship, and the power of a youthful mindset with a vision for change.
In this episode, Zeze engages in an inspiring conversation with Chaneen Saliee, a courageous mumfluencer, discussing the importance of embracing creative passions, vulnerability in self-expression, and navigating the challenges of balancing motherhood with a successful career. Chaneen fearlessly shares her motherhood journey, promoting empowerment and support for women while challenging societal norms. Her diverse African heritage and early passion for writing have shaped her unique voice, as she explores self-acceptance and healing, defying cultural barriers. Through candid self-expression, Chaneen finds catharsis and connection, uplifting her audience and advocating for breastfeeding and community support. Her journey serves as a powerful testament to the rewards of embracing vulnerability and openness in pursuing one's dreams.
In this episode, host Zeze Oriaikhi-Sao sits down with Nigerian fashion industry professional Sharmaine Aderemi for an inspiring conversation. Sharmaine takes us on a remarkable journey, from her humble beginnings as a receptionist to becoming a Talent Director, all while integrating African talent into the fashion industry. Her story defies societal norms as she became a young mother and pursued her dreams with authenticity and passion. Join us as we delve into the power of embracing one's true self and discover the resilience, passion, and pursuit of dreams that define Sharmaine's incredible career. Be sure to subscribe and tune in to this empowering exploration of personal growth and success.
Join Zeze Oriaikhi-Sao in an engaging conversation with Bukky Asehinde, the Founder of Bellafricana, as they dive into the world of entrepreneurship and creativity in the African market. Discover Bukky's inspiring journey as an immigrant entrepreneur, her passion for showcasing African creativity, and her mission to empower and support fellow entrepreneurs. Gain valuable insights into the power of digital marketing, data-driven decision-making, and the crucial role of community in supporting and empowering entrepreneurs. This episode is filled with motivation, lessons learned, and practical advice for anyone looking to start or grow their own business. Tune in and get ready to be inspired! If you are an African fashion, beauty or lifestyle brand based in the UK and want to be part of the 10 amazing brands to reserve a spot, please go HERE Available now at thirdcultureafricans.com Get in touch with Zeze:
In this inspiring episode of Third Culture Africans, Dr. Ateh Jewel and Chaneen Saliee join host Zeze Oriaikhi-Sao to explore the transformative power of authenticity and self-expression. Sharing their experiences as Black African women, they delve into topics such as cultural identity, success, activism, and motherhood. Dr. Ateh Jewel discusses her journey as a renowned journalist and diversity advocate, challenging beauty standards and empowering others. Chaneen Saliee reflects on her path of self-discovery as a writer, poet, and empowerment coach, emphasizing the importance of uplifting and inspiring others. Together, they highlight the significance of activism, finding balance, and embracing one's authentic self. Available now at thirdcultureafricans.com Get in touch with Zeze:
Join host Zeze Oriaikhi-Sao as she interviews Lydia Amoah, a multi-talented individual and leading authority on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Lydia shares her captivating career journey, emphasising the value of every black consumer and sharing anecdotes that showcase her fearless and inquisitive attitude. Inspired by Dr. Dennis Kimbro, she founded The Black Pound Report, driving conversations on diversity and inclusion in business. Discover Lydia's remarkable experiences, from college leadership to managing celebrities in Italy. This episode is an inspiring exploration of resilience, empowerment, and the pursuit of excellence. Tune in for a dose of motivation and insights into Lydia's thriving career. Available now at thirdcultureafricans.com Get in touch with Zeze:
Welcome to Season 3 of Third Culture Africans! This season, host Zeze Oriaikhi-Sao is taking you deeper into the lives and journeys of successful Africans in the diaspora. Expect engaging conversations with a dynamic range of guests, from entrepreneurs and artists, to writers and innovators, each sharing their unique experiences and insights. As always, our guests continue to challenge the status quo, break barriers, and shape the global narrative of Africa and Africans. Season 3 is an exploration of resilience, creativity, and the African spirit of ingenuity, further broadening the scope of our stories and impact in the world. Tune in to discover, connect, and get inspired! Full show notes:
Dive into the vibrant and thriving world of African fashion in this special episode of Third Culture Africans, recorded live at the iconic Shoreditch House.
Welcome to Season 3 of Third Culture Africans! In our opening episode, host Zeze Oriaikhi-Sao sits down with British-Nigerian authors Ore Agbaje-Williams and Nancy Adimora. Through candid conversations, we explore their personal career paths and their commitment to enriching storytelling in the literary world. Ore, a passionate writer and former Commissioning Editor at HarperWilliams Publishers UK, shares her journey into the publishing world and her anticipation for the release of her debut novel, “The Three of Us.” Meanwhile, Nancy Adimora, founding editor of AFREADA and former Talent and Audience Development Manager at HarperCollins UK, discusses her lifelong interest in African storytelling and the impact it can have on a reader's life. Together, they share insights on a joint project, “Of This Our Country: Acclaimed Nigerian Writers on the Home, Identity and Culture They Know” that sheds light on perceptions of Nigeria from numerous acclaimed Nigerian authors. Ore Agbaje-Williams new book: ”The Three of Us”: ORDER HERE - https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/451518/the-three-of-us-by-agbaje-williams-ore/9781787334083 Don't miss out on this enriching conversation that sets the tone for our exciting new season. Tune in to Season 3, Episode 1 of Third Culture Africans to glean insights from Ore and Nancy's unique perspectives on writing, publishing, and fostering cultural representation through their work. Remember, your support is invaluable to us. If you find value in our content, please share this episode with your network. Engage with us on social media and let us know your thoughts. Every like, share, and comment helps us to continue creating content that matters to you. Finally, if you haven't already, don't forget to subscribe to Third Culture Africans on your preferred podcast platform to stay updated on our latest episodes. We have an incredible line-up this season, and we wouldn't want you to miss a single episode. “Anyone can do this as long as your motivation is not money” Write what is authentic to you - Ore Agbaje-Williams “When an old person dies a library is burning” - Think about yourself as a story, write it down and pass it on to the next generation - Nancy Adimora Topics:
In this episode, Zeze interviews Efua Akumanyi, a Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence expert, Co-Founder and CTO of Furnishful, a shopping discovery site for furniture and homewares. She talks about her beginning in the IT world, the choice of her career, and how important it is for her to help other black women to succeed in their business. Efua Akumanyi found a way to stand out, firstly from her family's career choices and later on as a black woman in the Tech niche. She pursued a career where women, especially black females, were not so popular. She started a path in which women have the opportunity to use technology to improve their businesses and become successful in what they want to. Furthermore, she understands the need of having solid bases to build a successful business. Tech is a key component to make it easy, no matter if you are selling a product or a service. You need to find a tool that suits the business you have. There is no point in coding if you do not need it. Knowing what you want and what you require is fundamental when hiring someone to develop your website. Plus, doing follow-ups, providing feedback and communicating as often as possible will give you the sense of control and knowledge you need to improve and get what you want to achieve as regards your business goals. Efua Akumanyi Efua Akumanyi graduated from Sussex with a degree in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence and went on to work as a software developer for 15 years. She has also worked as a contractor in various fields including medical, legal, charity and ecommerce. Currently, she is the Co-Founder & Head of Technology at www.furnishful.co.uk. a website which helps people find items of furniture for their homes. Her passion is to encourage other women into tech, whether it's finding jobs in the industry or starting their own business. She is a member of several women in tech groups and speaks on subjects ranging from AI to entrepreneurship. Highlights of the episode: 03:25: Efua Akumanyi's migration to the UK from Ghana at her early age and how it impacted on her career path. 5:45: Efua tells Zeze about how and why she selected her career in Computer Science, her passions and her ideas about her professional future. 7:15: Efua´s understanding of the impact her career choice would provoke on the Tech world for black women. 10:55: She states the Pros and Cons of her career choice in the furniture niche. 12:30 : The need of coding against already-built tech tools, both for products and services. 13: 55: Efua tells how she started coding for black female businesses. 15:55: Her passion about photography and how it is connected to her work in the furniture world. 18:00 She speaks about her visibility online, her cofounded business and her resources to build a successful business while helping black women to succeed as well. 24:45 : Efua provides some pieces of advice for women entrepreneurs when they need to hire someone to build their website. What to do with a low budget and legal issues to pay attention to. Mentioned Resources Third Culture Africans furnishful.co.uk codingblackfemales.com
In this episode, Zeze interviews Chi-chi Ekweozor, a social media marketer, software engineer, and the founder of Assenty. Chi-chi talks about the very beginnings of social media and how she founded her company. Also, Zeze and Chi-Chi dive deep into why it is so important to consider representation from many different angles. Chi-chi Ekweozor understood the potential of social media well before others did. This allowed her to acquire a unique set of skills that led her to advise large companies and create her own business early on. As she identified challenges and problems in the process of building communities and promoting interactions, she decided to create solutions for this. Eventually, Chi-chi became a very successful business owner. In this episode, Chi-chi and Zeze talk about the representation of Black women in tech and the many aspects that can influence this. Chi-chi remarks on the importance of pursuing your ideas and being brave enough to try and reach out, connecting with others, and seizing opportunities. Chi-chi had to traverse a fascinating path that led her to see how the internet and social media have changed the world. making the most of it at every turn. ABOUT Chi-chi Ekweozor Chi-chi Ekweozor is a Nigerian social media marketer, front-end developer, software engineer, and the founder of Assenty, a platform that allows event organizers to interact live with their audiences. She has been working in the tech industry for the past 15 years and she was a pioneer in the world of social media marketing and tech communities. Highlights of the episode: Chi-Chi's career in engineering and her to focus on tech. How she had to adapt and develop the skills set to thrive. A career as an independent musician and podcaster before podcasts became popular. How Chi-chi became a social media expert before social media was a thing worldwide. The realization that there was true potential in the interactions between attendees and conference organizers and the birth of Assenty. The importance of creativity in the world of tech and how it allows for the creation of a self-sustainable business. Female and African representation in tech at different levels of the industry. The impact of generational wealth and experience on the success of entrepreneurs. Knowing the timing and making the most of societal changes as keys to make a business or an idea grow. Mentioned Resources Third Culture Africans Malée Assenty
In this episode, Zeze interviews Lwazi Wali, a South African investor, entrepreneur, and the founder of H(er)Q. Lwazi talks about the current situation for new businesses and startups in Africa, the barriers faced by women, and the tools that can be used to break these barriers and create our space in the African business world. Lwazi Wali knows more than most about the many barriers faced by entrepreneurial women in the African continent. As an investor involved in venture capital, she has seen the numbers that show that, while startups and investing are growing in Africa, women continue to face considerable barriers to get funding. They are creating the majority of new businesses, but they lack the funding to scale them and make them grow. In this episode, Lwazi goes in-depth into the barriers that are holding Black African women back and how we can help make a significant and long-lasting change. She remarks on the importance of uniting as women and creating our own table where we can create opportunities to have access to the necessary funds. Lwazi also provides practical advice on how to present a new product or idea for funding, and how to change the paradigms and societal preconceptions that limit women to this day. ABOUT Lwazi Wali Lwazi Wali is a South African fundraiser, investor, an Obama Leader in Africa. Lwazi came back to Africa after studying and living in the US with the goal of helping in the development of venture capital infrastructure in the continent. She is the founder of H(er)Q, a community for women of color that are interested in building a community by and for entrepreneurial women. Highlights of the episode: Lwazi Wali's perspective on the current state of venture capitalism in the African continent. The approach to fintech in Africa. How the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need to further develop the digital infrastructure. Lwazi's decision to go into venture capitalism in Africa. Impacting society in a positive way. The gender differences seen worldwide. While women are starting businesses at a faster rate than men, they are not scaling them. The importance of rethinking and creating systems of capital that support women's businesses by creating funds led by women. African entrepreneurs often look for investors from the West as local investors tend to be more risk-averse. The three things an entrepreneur needs to be able to provide when looking for funding. The first doors to knock on to be able to raise funding for a business include accelerators and incubators. The far-reaching impact of teaching girls about their potential and possibility to have key roles in the business world. Mentioned Resources Third Culture Africans Malée Founders Factory Lwazi Wali
In this episode, Zeze interviews Vamba Sherif, a Liberian best-selling author, essayist, motivational speaker, and activist. Vamba shares his story of survival after the Liberian civil war and the Gulf War. Listen to the episode and learn how these experiences led him to become a thriving novelist and storyteller. Vamba Sherif was living in Kuwait when the civil war started in Liberia, his home country. As he felt the pain of what was taking place back home, he found himself in the middle of the Gulf War, seeing horrors that he is unlikely to forget. This led him to become a refugee and an exile, and he remembers his time in a refugee camp between Jordan and Iraq as one of the worst ones of his life. However, Vamba managed to not only survive but thrive once he made a home in Holland. Thanks to his affinity for languages, he was able to learn Dutch, study, and make a life for himself. Writing stories about pre-war Liberia became his coping mechanism, which helped him preserve his mental health and led him on a successful path as a writer. In this episode, Vamba shares his inspiring story, filled with family love, his admiration for women, and the will to keep growing, embracing and sharing African stories. ABOUT Vamba Sherif Vamba Sherif is a Liberian best-selling author, film critic, activist, motivational speaker, essayist, and occasional actor who found himself stuck between two countries during the Liberian civil war and the Gulf War. This led him on a journey of survival, traversing through different countries before finding a home in Holland. He shares his personal experiences through his novels and memoirs, and he also focuses on showing the history of Liberia before the war. Highlights of the episode: 04:54: Vamba Sherif shares what his life was like before the devastating Liberian civil war took place. 07:47: Vamba found himself stranded between two wars, the Liberian civil war back at home and the Gulf War in Kuwait, where he resided at the time. 09:56: The return of Liberian slaves from the US to Liberia. 12:37: The chaos experienced in Kuwait during the Gulf War, and how Vamba was able to smuggle himself out of the country. 15:42: The strength demonstrated by Arab women fighting during the occupation of Kuwait. 20:10: The sense of hopelessness experienced at a refugee camp between Iraq and Jordan and the feeling that there was no longer a future. 26:02: Returning to the stories of Liberia before the war and showing the good things about the country served Vamba as a survival technique. 32:55: Being a writer can be a privilege that allows them to ascend and embrace all the stories they tell. 37:10: How his mother and grandmother influence the characteristics of the strong women that appear in Vamba's stories. 40:09: The huge impact being loved had on Vamba's life and how he wanted to put that into words through an emotional journey that led to him writing his memoirs. Mentioned Resources Third Culture Africans Malée Vamba Sherif
In this episode, Zeze interviews Zukiswa Wanner, an award-winning South African author and humanitarian. She has published fiction novels, co-authored Nelson Mandela's autobiography, and started her own publishing house to help bring African literature to the forefront in the African continent. Zukiswa Wanner believes in changing how African literature is seen and embraced in Africa. She writes not for the European or American masses, but for her fellow Africans. Seeing how the African publishing houses often prioritize foreign markets over their own, she decided to start her own publishing company, as part of her drive to change the self-oppression that has been imposed on African literature. Zukiswa also discusses the importance of bringing literature to children, providing them with the opportunity to learn and thrive in the world. She also remarks on how accomplished Black African women are often seen as aggressive when they pursue their careers and are good at what they do. Zukiswa highlights the importance of women not second-guessing themselves and becoming part of this narrative. ABOUT Zukiswa Wanner Zukiswa Wanner is a Zimbabwan and South African author, co-author of Nelson Mandela's autobiography, a humanitarian, and a recipient of the Commonwealth's Writer Prize. She has also started her own publishing house, with the goal of distributing African books in the continent, including both adult and children books. Highlights of the episode: 04:16: Zukiswa Wanner's journey to becoming the co-author of Nelson's Mandela autobiography in only 4 years. 10:58: Zukiswa's love for literature never led her to think she could be a fiction writer. 14:15: The debate about being seen as an African writer in Africa. 17:59: Writing for the African community and how resonating with Africans is especially valuable for Zukiswa. 20:45: Zukiswa's transition from author to publisher and editor. 25:39: Building bridges across the African continent through different events and literary initiatives. 27:15: The reasons why Zukiswa asks the question “do I make you uncomfortable” in the context of being a black African woman. 30:16: Why African women often feel like they need to shrink. 32:27: The need for platforms in which African women can talk without having to be a representative of the entire collective. 34:13: Zukiswa's passion for helping children have access to learning resources and developing their critical thinking skills. Mentioned Resources Third Culture Africans Malée Zukiswa Wanner Nelson Mandela on the Run
Aminatta Forna was raised to be a fighter. As a triple minority, she knew from a young age that she would be great, but she would need to work very hard to get what she wanted. This led her to develop an inquisitive and astute mind that questions the things everyone takes for granted. As a writer, she has explored and shared her grief as well as the concept of identity and she talks about the importance of telling ourselves the right narrative. Aminatta has lived a life of change, being born in Scotland and raised between Sierra Leone and other countries. She went back to Sierra Leone before the war ended and was able to bring change into a community with assertive and empowering interventions. She talks about the impact words can have on people, why she thinks appropriation can cause great damage to the literary and arts world, and why the elevation of victimhood does nothing for actual progress. ABOUT Aminatta Forna Aminatta Forna is a British-Sierra Leonean formidable writer, humanitarian, professor, and thinker who has won numerous awards, including the Windham Campbell Award from Yale University. She has published four novels and a memoir, which have been translated into twenty two different languages. Highlights of the episode: 01:53: Aminatta Forna discusses the relevance and currency of her BBC documentary The Lost Libraries of Timbuktu. 04:57:How Aminatta forged her identity. 10:06: The common and constant rebranding of identities to fit in with the rest of the world. 14:00: The American narrative and how it illustrates the many perspectives that can exist regarding one event or fact. 17:20: The everlasting nature of grief and how while it gets better it never disappears. 21:10: Aminatta's experience as part of the diaspora. 25:50: How Sierra Leone has survived through the ages and how the forests have been a sacred place of protection. 30:32: Growing up as a triple minority and being brought up to be ready to fight for what she wanted. 36:28: The drive that comes from having something different to say and the will to share it not with a minority but with the majority of people. 42:13: American academia and what Aminatta's experience as part of this world has been. 44:26: Writing and reading as a one-on-one experience that deeply touches people when they look for a certain kind of answer. 51:02: Elevating victimhood has become a common narrative that leads to the creation of tokens. Mentioned Resources Third Culture Africans Malée The Lost Libraries of Timbuktu Aminatta Forna The Window Seat
Helon Habila believes in hard work, perseverance, and believing in himself and his capabilities. His motivation to be a great writer led him to defy the wishes of his parents and to challenge the negative beliefs of some of his fellow authors. He always believed his dream was possible, even if he didn't realize how big that dream could be and the reach it would have. Helon was willing to make big sacrifices in pursuit of his writing career, including leaving Nigeria, a country that was suffering from the consequences of a totalitarian military regime. Despite having won awards for his work, Helon maintains a humble attitude. He recognizes that he has had a lot of luck, which he could only leverage thanks to his preparation. Helon's determination is a big part of what allowed him to become a published author by Penguin, one of the world's top publishing houses. His advice to writers is to own their voice by understanding their culture and where they come from. Only then will they be able to see where they can innovate and how they can make their impact on the world. About Helon Habila Helon Habila is a Nigerian writer, poet, literary, and pioneer when it comes to African literature. He is an award-winning author, having earned prestigious recognitions such as the National Poetry Award and the Caine Prize. He has also been nominated for numerous other awards. Helon is currently a professor at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, and he is in the process of writing his next novel, tentatively titled The Fortress. Highlights of the episode: 02:17: Helon Habila's journey to literature after trying to meet parental expectations by studying engineering. 06:57: How Helon had to hide his decision to become a writer for fear of being misunderstood. 11:06: Helon's start in the writing industry as a struggling romance story writer. 14:14: The “I made it” moment that encouraged Helon to keep writing. 16:40: The hardships faced by the publishing industry. 21:25: Helon's decision to enter his work into a contest posing as a publisher 23:50: The experience of being part of a community that believed in making cultural changes in Nigeria. 25:05: The need to leave the country to be able to write due to the anti-culture atmosphere in Nigeria. 29:23: Visualizing success and believing in the quality of his work helped Helon get where he wanted to be. 31:43: The need for a new model that allowed African writers to be published. 36:34: What it means to own your voice. 40:14: The process of reinventing yourself and adapting after arriving in a new country and how this can impact creativity. Mentioned Resources Third Culture Africans Malée Helon Habila
Chuma Nwokolo became an advocate for others from his early years. During his first years working as a lawyer, he created a legal aid group with the goal of providing information to the public in an accessible way. His interactions with others only grew from there, including his constant interactions with his readers, his efforts to bring people closer to culture and literature, as well as his campaigning against government corruption in Nigeria. Chuma is a groundbreaking Nigerian writer, who believes great stories can change us, and he proposes that everyone is the owner of their narrative. He also believes in taking action to see the changes he wants in the world. This is why he founded BribeCode, a campaign that looks to empower individuals to fight government corruption in Nigeria. Chuma invites people to ask questions about governance and see beyond their daily needs. He encourages others to consider the needs of others and the needs of the country, as well as to take action to promote good governance. About Chuma Nwokolo Chuma Nwokolo is a writer, poet, lawyer, speaker, and an anti corruption advocate. He has been prolific in his work, with numerous books and short stories published since he was still in college. Chuma is a founder of the BribeCode, a campaign that looks to eliminate government corruption in Nigeria and promote good governance. Highlights of the episode: 03:19: Chuma Nwokolo's experience as an internally displaced person in Nigeria after the civil war. 07:01: The guilt seen in survivors from war and the fortitude needed to continue and create new lives for themselves. 13:11: Chuma Nwokolo's experience as a recently-graduated lawyer and how this led him to create a legal aid program. 16:24: Chuma's role in encouraging the public to contribute literary pieces and poems at the Ashmolean Museum. 22:10: The need to thrive on conflict to be able to write in the thriller genre. 23:48: Corruption in the public sector in Nigeria as one of the biggest impediments to what the country can be. 32:15: Everyone can dictate their narrative, which is something people don't always realize. 36:22: Blogging can be a type of oral tradition in which there isn't always a commitment to the long form. 40:47: The search for readers and platforms distracts writers from creating excellent work. 43:49: Chumu's decision to become a publisher and the impact this has had on his writing. 50:05: Campaigning for good government is in the best interest for everyone, even if not everyone realizes how it affects them. 57:17: Asking the good questions about governance and transforming each citizen into an anti corruption worker through the Bribecode. Mentioned Resources Third Culture Africans Malée Chuma Nwokolo BribeCode
ABOUT Jacqueline-Bethel Mougoué Jacqueline-Bethel Mougoué is a feminist historian, assitant professor of African Cultural Studies at the University of Wisconsin, an author, and a speaker. She has focused most of her research on African feminisms and how gender norms and constructions influence the entire identity of a person. She also sits at the editorial board of the Journal of Women's History and Feminist Africa. Jacqueline-Bethel Mougoué, Highlighting African Feminisms through Academia “Being a Black woman is being Black twice”. That is a phrase that sums up the reality of being a Black woman in this current world. Jacqueline-Bethel Mougoué has dedicated her work as an African Cultural Studies professor and researcher to understand the gender norms that shape the identities of African people as well as the different feminisms that have emerged in the continent. Yes, feminisms, in plural. There are differences not only between how gender equality is seen in Africa and the US, but also inside the African continent. Through her research, Jacqueline-Bethel has found that there have been different ways in which African women have fought for gender equality. These range from loud and visible protests, to more subtle yet impactful actions at the highest political levels. She also talks about finding her identity as a Cameroon-born girl who grew up in the United States. Embracing both sides of her required her to be authentic, and taking a look into the history of women around the world helped her accept herself and be proud of who she is. Even when she goes down the less-traveled path. Highlights of the episode: 03:24: Jacqueline-Bethel Mougoué talks about cultural norms and values and how they influence what it means to be African in this current world. 05:08: The subtle way in which African women have expressed their political authority. 09:11: The generational differences in African identity stemmed from changes in the experience of being Black in the US. 17:45: How being a resident instead of a citizen in the United States limited and shaped Jacqueline's experiences. 19:23: The impact of African events on Jacqueline's love for African fabrics, patterns, and her interest in design. 23:33: Black women as a double minority and the obstacles faced by Black women within the Black community itself. 27:15: Gender norms shape the different types of feminisms. 31:39: The differences in how African women express their political opinions according to their age as well as the roles they have in a country. 35:10: The gap between researching feminism and gender values and the reality experienced in everyday life. 38:44: How the examples of other women and understanding the role of women in history have shaped Jacqueline's concepts of self-acceptance and independence. 42:39: The drive to learn about African women's history and the road that brought Jacqueline to this path. Mentioned Resources Third Culture Africans Malée Jacqueline-Bethel Mougoué
In this episode, Zeze interviews Armando Cabral, one of the most famous male supermodels in the world. Listen as they go over the importance of knowing yourself, his journey from model to entrepreneur, and the struggles and successes that brought him to where he is today. ABOUT Armando Cabral Armando Cabral is one of the most famous male supermodels. He is originally from Guinea-Bissau and he was raised in Portugal, making New York his home later on. Armando ranked among the 20 most influential male models on Earth and he's in the top 100 most influential people in the world. He decided to become an entrepreneur and now runs an extremely successful fashion company. Representing Black African Men on the Runway and the Business World Being one of the first in an industry is not an easy achievement. Armando Cabral managed to position himself as one of the best black models in the world during a time in which no one was looking for black male models at all. This wasn't an easy process. Armando had to make use of all of his tenacity and determination to get that first foot in the door, which came with spectacular success and opened the industry to more black African male models. Knowing himself, what he was capable of, and believing in himself are the things that allowed Armando to keep pushing and face countless “no” before he got a “yes”. Where most people would have given up, he insisted and did everything he needed to do to improve his chances. Along the road, he has been able to build a successful business as a fashion designer and entrepreneur, and is now known as a style trendsetter. Armando also opens up about the challenges he faced when he transitioned from modeling to entrepreneurship. He expands on how difficult it is to juggle both his professional obligations and setting aside the time to enjoy his family life. Plus, Armando talks about his drive to contribute something to the world by bringing African fashion to the forefront and helping others who want to be a part of this world. Highlights of the episode: 04:22: Armando Cabral opens up about being a citizen of the world and the journey that brought him to where he is today. 08:39: The difficult process of becoming a model and the power of being determined and not taking “no” for an answer. 15:22: The importance of believing in yourself and pushing towards the goal you want. 19:30: The change in the concepts associated to male modeling and making a career from that. 23:50: The importance of not defining himself according to what he did for a living, his success, or any titles Armando has received. 30:05: Armando's drive to do more and contribute to society beyond his modeling job. 35:30: The necessity of doing a lot more as an African person in order to prove our worth and the struggles that come with it. 37:31: The difficulties Armando faced when he was transitioning from being a model to becoming an entrepreneur. 38:58: The challenges of balancing family life and entrepreneurship. 43:47: Armando's role as a mentor and his involvement in passing on the message and the knowledge he has earned during his career. Mentioned Resources Third Culture Africans Malée @armando_cabral Armando Cabral Website
ABOUT Ifeyinwa Frederick Ifeyinwa Frederick is a writer and entrepreneur and she and her brother Emeka are the founders of Chuku’s, a Nigerian restaurant in London. They were motivated by the lack of Nigerian cuisine in the area where they grew up between East London and Essex and the desire to share their culture with others. Ifeyinwa has been listed as one of Forbes’ Top 100 Female Founders in Europe and one of the 15 Most Exciting Food and Drink Entrepreneurs in the UK. Bringing People Together through Nigerian Cuisine Not knowing how to do something often stops people from living their dreams and bringing their ideas to reality. For Ifeyinwa Frederick it meant a new learning opportunity and a motivation to understand how to do new things. This approach was what helped her and her brother Emeka to start a Nigerian restaurant despite having zero hospitality experience. Playing to their strengths and allowing their creativity to thrive was instrumental to their success. The overall goal of Chuku’s is to share Nigerian culture and bring people together over Nigerian dishes. They placed a different twist on it by making sure the dishes were easily shared in the shape of Nigerian tapas, allowing people to try things from different areas of Nigeria and get a true introduction to its cuisine. Ifeyinwa opens up about the process of doing this and the strategies she and her brother used to build a community before they had a permanent physical address for Chuku’s and staying in business during the COVID-19 lockdowns. However, hard work comes with huge challenges and for Ifeyinwa this led to burnout syndrome, which had a huge impact on her life and her way to do things. She realized she was prioritizing success over her mental and physical health. Ifeyinwa understood that the way she was doing things was unsustainable and this has led her to be very vocal about burnout and bringing awareness on this subject. She is also a big advocate for therapy and finding a way to prioritize the truly important things, including your well-being. Highlights of the episode: 01:59: Ifeyinwa Frederick explains why it is important for her to be introduced as Ifeyinwa instead of her nickname Iffy and the cultural implications her Nigerian first name and English last name have for her. 07:05: The lack of Nigerian food options in Essex as part of the inspiration for creating Chuku’s, a restaurant that specializes in these dishes and that has become a way to share Nigerian culture with others. 10:56: Making Chuku’s a place where sharing is easier and a wider range of flavors can be tasted by people who don’t know the cuisine. 21:56: Unlearning that academic successes are a whole identity and that a person is more than their achievements and the work they do. 25:05: University teaches more than the context of the course. One of the things Ifeyinwa learned was how to do things she had no idea how to do. It also allowed her to become used to being uncomfortable and innovating from that position. 30:53: The advantage of having built a community independent of a physical restaurant and the strategies used to make sure Chuku’s could continue thriving and sharing Nigerian culture with others during the lockdowns. 41:50: Burnout has become normalized and the value of an individual is often measured by how much they work and what they achieve. Ifeyinwa has faced burnout and realized that success at the cost of herself is not the way to go and she has become a big advocate for therapy and work-life balance. 44:12: When it comes to burnout, the rush to get all the things, do everything, and be successful can become a priority at the cost of the person. This often leads to a point in which success is not enjoyable anymore and burnout takes over. Mentioned Resources Third Culture Africans Malée Chuku’s @ifey_frederick @chukusldn Meditations
ABOUT Morolake Akinosun 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. Gold Medals and Equality for Black Women 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
ABOUT Abdel Abdulai 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. Telling Stories Through His Lens 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
ABOUT Segun Gele 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. Transforming Fashion One Gele at a Time 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
ABOUT Kojo Baffoe 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. Writing to Make Africa’s Voice Heard 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
About Ikenna Ordor 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. Bringing Luxury to a New Level 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
ABOUT Ore Runsewe 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. ABOUT THIS EPISODE 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. Highlights of the conversation with Ore Runsewe: 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
ABOUT VANIA LELES 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. ABOUT THIS EPISODE 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
About Tiwalola Ogunlesi 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. ABOUT THIS EPISODE 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
ABOUT ABISOLA OMOLE 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. ABOUT THIS EPISODE 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
ABOUT EKU EDEWOR 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. ABOUT THIS EPISODE 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. Highlights of the episode with Eku Edewor: 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
Third Culture Africans Podcast is back. We have an exciting season 2 ahead of us, and can't wait to hear our amazing guests and the invaluable experiences they are willing to share with us.
ABOUT HANNELI RUPERT Hanneli Rupert is the trailblazing founder and social impact champion of the sustainable African accessory label Okapi. It’s hailed as a farm-to-fashion concept and works to contribute to rural communities’ development by creating stable, long-lasting jobs. She founded the pioneering Merchants on Long, a store championing authentically made African brands. Farm to High-End Fashion Something clear from Hanneli Rupert is her passion for materials and sustainability. She discusses the importance of sustainability sourced materials as a way of investing in communities through jobs and skilled labor. The quality of the craftsmanship always comes to the forefront. Paired with that is a need to elevate African voices. Hanneli isn’t looking for European heritage products with an African spin; she sources authentically African materials and voices. Hanneli also touches on building supply chains and logically building markets. Hear her take on the importance of creative ventures in the pandemic world. Highlights of the episode: (3:17) The origins of the Okapi brand and Merchants on Long (11:07) Being at the forefront of fashion and art and launching successful entrepreneurs in the African fashion scene. (14:02) Her goal is to seek artisans and designers who speak with an authentic African voice (20:44) Okapi as a brand empowering as many people as possible through sourcing and skilled labor (24:58) Discussing why she chooses to work with skins even as culture has shifted to synthetic materials (32:12) The importance of a product’s story for the branding and the nuances in the layers (44:02) Speaking about the Social Impact Arts Prize and what’s happening with it Mentioned Resources Okapi Merchants on Long Malée
The first season of Third Culture Africans introduced us to the change makers putting the African continent on the map. We’ve heard from some incredible professionals, entrepreneurs, and artists about how they define and create success in their respective fields. These trailblazers have a few traits in common. Today we reflect on a few lessons we’ve learned from our guests: the value of being true to yourself, following your passion, and investing in what you care about. Some Lessons From Third Culture Africans Fashion-preneur Fisayo Longe reflects on how being open to sharing her journey is core to where she is at today. She speaks to how being herself is key to the growth of her business. Guest Tiwa Works founded the Atlanta Greek Picnic, the largest event in the United States for black fraternities and sororities. Now drawing thousands to city each year, the event came about from Tiwa following his passion for business and entertainment. In this segment, he touches on losses, learning, and never giving up. The U.N. recognized Efe as one of the Most Influential African People. His entrepreneurial journey has been able tackling the big problems, and he’s had some major successes along the way. During his interview, Efe discusses a time he was involved in something he realized he didn’t truly care about and the lesson learned. Serial entrepreneur Charles Sekwalor has plenty of experience solving problems through business. Through MoveMeBack, he has set an ambitious goal to bring 500 million jobs to Africa. Here, he unpacks his approach to problem-solving. Arese is on a mission to help women take control of their financial independence. In her episode, she talks about how one thing led to another: small articles created a following, leading to workshops, and eventually the book idea. Misan has captured photos of the royal family, film icons, and supermodels. Now Misan Harriman is the first black photographer to photo a cover for Vogue. He talks in Third Culture Africans about his obsessions with photography. ABOUT ZEZE ORIAIKHI-SAO Zeze Oriaikhi-Sao attended Grenoble Ecole De Management where she received a Master’s in International Business. She also holds a Bsc (Hons) in Informatics. She is mother, an international and entrepreneurial leader. The Founder and Managing director of Malée Natural Science; Africa’s 1st global luxury fragrance and body care brand operating across two continents with products available in 9 countries in wholesale, B2B, Hospitality, E-commerce and travel retail. An advisory board member and Program director at INNOCOS, the world beauty innovations summit as well as a consultant and international speaker and beauty industry expert on the luxury beauty and cosmetics industry, sustainability practices, innovation, disruption, trends and brand heritage. Featured in international TV and Media publications such as CNN, The Telegraph, Grazia, ELLE Magazine, Glamour, Oprah Magazine and Atlanta Post. She is a pioneer of Female owned luxury business in Africa and is passionate about innovation. Zeze is the host of the pioneering podcast Third Culture Africans. She shares entrepreneurial tips and more on her personal website Zezeonline.com
Tiwa Works ABOUT TIWA WORKS Tiwa Works’ positivity has buoyed him into becoming a world-class entrepreneur and leader. An entrepreneur, real estate agent, and motivator, he founded Tiwaworks International, which annually hosts the United States’ largest black Greek letter event, the Atlanta Greek Picnic. It draws over 25,000 people to Atlanta with a $7.5-million impact. Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Event Nigerian-British born Tiwa Williams, known better as Tiwa Works, was raised in a family of entrepreneurs. Tiwa makes friends everywhere he goes; his infectious optimism is at the root of his multiple successful business ventures. The most notable is the Atlanta Greek Picnic. Hear how this multi-million-dollar event came about and its legacy. Tiwa covers a lot of ground in this podcast, with insights on everything from the power of black fraternities and sororities to having the American experience. He speaks about systemic racism, the riots in Atlanta, and fostering the necessary change. He touches on his influences: his parents, Jim Rohn, and others. Learn why you always need to be looking for opportunities and the importance of networking to grow your business. Highlights of the episode: 5:03: What it was like adjusting to the different cultures; some “Coming to America” moments 18:52: Getting into fraternity life and how it created the foundation for Tiwa Works 35:38: The seed for Atlanta Greek Picnic 45:21: Why he started in real estate ahead of the Great Recession of 2007; seizing the opportunity 50:30: What entrepreneurship looks like for Tiwa Works 57:49: Witnessing the frustration of people after George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement in Atlanta 1:02:13: About how the Greek Picnic was already a voice of protest; the implications of the BLM and George Floyd at next year’s event 1:04:27: What else can be done to combat racism as African-led brands build and grow across the globe? Mentioned Resources CULTURED. PlugATL Atlanta Greek Picnic Malée ABOUT ZEZE ORIAIKHI-SAO Zeze Oriaikhi-Sao attended Grenoble Ecole De Management where she received a Master’s in International Business. She also holds a BSc (Hons) in Informatics. She is a mother, and an international and entrepreneurial leader. The Founder and Managing director of Malée Natural Science; Africa’s 1st global luxury fragrance and body care brand operating across two continents with products available in 9 countries in wholesale, B2B, Hospitality, E-commerce and travel retail. An advisory board member and Program Director at INNOCOS, the world beauty innovations summit as well as a consultant and international speaker and beauty industry expert on the luxury beauty and cosmetics industry, sustainability practices, innovation, disruption, trends, and brand heritage.
WHO IS CHARLES SEKWALOR? Charles Sekwalor is a serial entrepreneur and advisor on a mission to change and influence lives through small businesses and investment. Notably, he is the CEO and founder of Movemeback, a community that connects professionals, entrepreneurs, students, and influencers with inspiring opportunities in Africa. He’s on a mission to drive economic and social growth through individuals and organizations. Connecting Entrepreneurs in Africa Before big brand names like Uber or Facebook come onto the continent, someone is laying the groundwork. Chale Sekwalor is one of those change-makers. Where ambitious goals and problems turn others away, he embraces the challenge and shows what is possible when we stretch our capacity. Chale covers a lot of ground, but so has his career. He’s worked for big names like Tesco and McKinsey. He talks about the journey into full-time entrepreneurship and the drive to solve problems. There is some frank talk about financing and the challenges facing businesses. Tune in to learn from Chale’s insights and experiences. Highlights of the episode: 3:13: Reflecting on the diaspora experience while growing up in West London; starting the journey to owning all that makes him a world citizen like the name Charlie and speaking Ga 14:34: Getting “itchy feet” syndrome and the start of his investing. The confidence to back himself. 17:00: Investing big in real estate, and then the market crashed. Taking a huge chance to make it work. 20:37: The side project of finding investors for the property and how he started to discover himself and what can be achieved 26:13 Jumping into entrepreneurship and speaking about being in the same organization but having different experiences 27:33: About starting Project Nights, Minds Meet, and other side businesses 32:39: About pivoting to the African continent and solving problems there; the start of Movemeback, setting up the business, and the benefits of talking to people 36:01: The challenges entrepreneurs on the African continent face around launching and scaling; part of the reason for Movemeback 40:46: The real impact of Movemeback in Africa and where the platform is today 43:47: How do you finance the big goals? Speaking on directing funds to solve the right problems. 51:08: The paycheck isn’t impressive, but they have built self-sustaining businesses. A frank talk about salaries and reinvesting in the business. 56:19: Discussing the obsession businesses have about raising funds as a way to survive and if it is a valid method to operate 1:03:18: The need for a unified African business plan and 500 million jobs for Africa’s economic survival Mentioned Resources Movemeback The Continent Group AgonyApp COS Ventures Charles Sekwalor Callmechale.com Malée
ABOUT ADUKE ONAFOWOKAN Meet Aduke Onafowokan, a lead associate at Inclusivitii and Founder of The Sister Sister Network. She is passionate about corporate social responsibility and teaching others. Professionally, she works to help leading companies develop and retain talented people while creating inclusive, diverse, and effective teams. With The Sister Sister Network, she helps empower women to tap into their natural abilities and become even more effective leaders. Finding Opportunities in Diversity Challenges It’s hard to miss the passion in a conversation with Aduke Onafowokan. A lifelong learner and natural educator, she speaks candidly about inclusivity and diversity in the workforce. Learn her approach to tackling diversity and inclusion in the workforce and how she guides corporations toward seizing opportunities. She touches on how successful people need a village of support. Aduke Onafowokan is a parent, and she understands the push and pull people feel to juggle their lives. She talks about the importance of emotional education and knowing your worth. Hear what inspired The Sister Sister Network and its growth. Highlights of the episode: 9:43: How she ended up with a law degree and discovering it wasn’t her passion; pursuing a PhD in corporate social responsibility 13:39: Meeting her husband, deciding to take a break from school, discovering she liked contracting on project management 19:05: About the Sister Sister Network, its inspiration, and how it grew from a small, once-a-year event to forums across the country. 24:01: Re-evaluating her priorities with contracting and parenthood. Finding opportunities to speak about diversity and help other organizations become more inclusive. 29:28: Moving into learning and development consulting around diversity and inclusion, how you can be a multilayered person. 36:43: Why we need our village to be successful and battling our innate vulnerability 42:51: What her work in diversity and inclusivity does for companies 46:12: Helping identify the challenges and opportunities for inclusivity and diversity 56:14: You need to be your own sponsor and know your worth Mentioned Resources Inclusivitii The Sister Sister Network Aduke Onafowokan Malée
Tara Gbolade makes ordinary places extraordinary. Founder of Gbolade Design Studios, she focuses on the community when designing her spaces. As a result, she’s a 2018 RIBA Rising Star Winner and has been tapped to work on council housing projects. Community First Zeze and Tara Gbolade discuss her journey from Nigeria to the UK and her boarding school experiences. Hear about her early career in architecture and what inspired her to start her business. Surrounding herself with the right people spurred her growth. Her Nigerian roots influence how she views UK spaces. Tara believes in the importance of place-making and the sense of identity that comes with a home. She explains why she thinks about creating social connections when designing spaces. Lastly, she talks about overcoming challenges in launching a new business venture. In this episode, we talk about: 00:00-2:28: Introduction and welcome of Tara Gbolade, a 2018 RIBA Rising Star Winner and founder Gbolade Design Studios 2:28-4:12: How they met and correct name pronunciation 4:12-6:00 Knowing early on what career she wanted and African parent expectations 6:01-7:02: Getting real advice before starting a business 7:02-11:44: Early career in architecture and the impetus to launch her business 12:02-15:21: Experiences in independence and boarding school away from home 16:14-18:17: Surrounding yourself with people consistently driven to create and grow 18:17-19:40: Architecture as place-making and bridging the gap between people 20:38-22:02: Differences between the UK and Nigerian lifestyles and design 22:02-23:43: What has been most challenging in launching her new business 23:43-24:32: Connecting with Tara Gbolade Mentioned Resources Malée Gbolade Design Studios Mace Group? Who moved my cheese? By Dr. Spencer Johnson Zaha Hadid
ABOUT ADEBOLA WILLIAMS Some call Adebola Williams the man who helped elect three African Presidents. As the CEO and co-founder of Red Africa, a portfolio of youth media brands which includes Statecraft Inc and YNaija, Williams is in the business of nation-building. ABOUT THIS EPISODE One thing clear after listening to Adebola Williams is a deep-rooted passion for uplifting others. Always the kid concerned about other people, he recognized the power of our voice early on. His relentless drive to find ways to share his voice and help others amplify themselves led him across careers. Hear from Adebola firsthand about why the focus should always be on the people. He has a true passion for reaching young people and speaking to them using different platforms. Through the conversation, he shares the importance of pursuing what you care about with courage and putting yourself where you want to be. Highlights of the episode: Speaking to Adebola’s superpower to bring attention to African causes and lift people out of inequality (3:45) About an inborn passion for helping and encouraging others using his voice (16:11) How hanging around the media and building a presence led to becoming a TV presenter, and then a producer (27:48) His goal to create platforms that reach and convene young people; speaking about the turmoil and march in Abuja in 2010 and motivating the young people to turn out (30:46) His advice for young entrepreneurs and people starting out (37:15) Talking about his iconic uniform and why he chooses to wear it (41:25) Mentioned Resources StateCraft Inc Rubbing Minds Ynaija.com Beat Corona Africa The FutureAfrica.com Malée
Who is ADORA MBA? Adora Mba is the founder and director of The Afropolitan Collector, an art advisory platform specializing in contemporary African art. They work with art organizations and clients to find exceptional pieces and promote the growing African art market. Cultivating African Art on A Global Scale Adora Mba has a deep love for art. As a child of two cultures, educated in the UK and United States, her travels exposed her to art around the world. In today’s episode, Adora reflects on how her home life inspired her love for art, even if her parents didn’t see it as a career. She talks about working in public relations and journalism and being at forefront of bringing art to the mainstream media. Along Adora’s journey to founding the Afropolitan Collector, she moved to Ghana. She touches about the country’s rich culture and the role of art in African culture. Adora speaks to new artists and the need to have a story behind the product. She also talks about opportunities that arose from putting herself out there and being willing to take risks. Highlights of the episode: Adora Mba started in public relations, which was a great thing for networking and meeting artists starting their careers (5:55) Her ARISE Journalism days; she wanted to be behind the scenes learning. The benefits of being a producer. (11:03) Pioneering conversations about art in mainstream media (13:57) The importance of taking action on your dreams (22:39) Art is a snapshot of a time in our culture; we lack institutions that hold a record of our history (26:44) Working with Gucci, how it came about and what happened (33:23) Adora Mba’s future plans and projects in Accra (46:49) Mentioned Resources Afropolitian Collector ARTX One 54 Malée
ABOUT WALE DAVIES Wale Davies, also known as Tec, is a creative pioneer and figurehead of the independent music scene in Africa. As a musician entrepreneur, he is a record label owner, a production company owner, video and film director, and talent manager. Making Music with Integrity Music is not a career most African parents want to see their kids pursuing. That may be why many parents tried to have Wale Davies dissuade their youth from entering the industry. But Wale is the perfect example of living your passion. Music is encoded into his DNA. Through the rap duo Show Dem Camp, this love has become a thriving career. In Wale Davies’ journey from finance student to musician, you will hear firsthand about hard work, living authentically, and the need to keep learning. He’s added to his skill sets over the years, which has diversified his knowledge base and led to new opportunities. He will also touch on the advantages of being an independent artist. Learn where he sees the music industry going and how it’s different from when Show Dem Camp started. Highlights of the episode: Music was never Wale Davies’ plan; he didn’t see it as a career (4:52) His time at the University of Brighton and university’s ability to expose you to different points of view. (7:21) Being raised by a single parent and the foundational lessons he learned from his mother (11:33) How he ended up in Nigeria making music (21:39) The work behind building a music career; parents asking him to talk their kids out of it and the pushback from peers about choosing music (25:29) The source of Wale Davies’ confidence (29:51) Deciding to go independent versus signing onto a label; how it increased their skillset and made them more strategic (33:07) Comparing how things were before to today’s music industry and streaming distribution; how social media is an amplifier (52:48) Wale Davies’ thoughts and hopes on the music industry’s future (1:10:08) Mentioned Resources Show Dem Camp Ghost Malée Tuface Idibida Naeto C DRB LasGidi P-square Nneka M.I. Art X Lagos
Efe Edmund Olotu ABOUT EFE EDMUND OLOTU Efe Edmund Olotu is the CEO of TechAdvance, a fintech infrastructure company that provides platforms to enable transaction processing and payment collection, aggregation, and reconciliation. He is a cutting-edge fintech entrepreneur, having been a founding investor and CEO of other companies like biotech company Novira Therapeutics, Nigeria’s G-Pay Instant Payments, and SuperGeeks Services and Solutions. He has dedicated the last decade to advancing technological solutions for businesses in Africa. The United Nations named Efe one of the 100 Most Influential People of African descent. ABOUT "Invest In What You Care About" Listen to Efe Edmund Olotu’s entrepreneurial journey, and the importance of learning, pivoting, and solving problems come to the forefront. Over the decades, his passion for providing solutions has led him to be a leading African entrepreneur. He’s learned from his incredible successes and failures and shares some lessons. Efe hasn’t been afraid to step back to gain experience or change his mind about something. Hear about some of the challenges facing young African entrepreneurs in raising capital and building an investment infrastructure. He touches on how COVID-19 has exposed business gaps and the need for entrepreneurs to take advantage of them. Finally, hear about Efe’s interesting side hobbies and overcoming his fear of the water. Highlights of the episode: 04:07: Efe Olotu is a pajama CEO 14:40: Reflecting on his first startup and the challenges when getting started 20:30: Learning about entrepreneurship living in Lagos; the start of SuperGeeks and figuring out how to solve distribution problems 29:30: What COVID-19 has meant for his business and gaps it has exposed 32:55: Are there opportunities for young African entrepreneurs? Speaking about investing in African businesses and building a venture capital structure. 42:28: The importance of evolving and changing your mind as an entrepreneur 45:06: The Glenfiddich campaign and conquering his fear of the water Mentioned Resources TechAdvance Glenfiddich Malée ABOUT ZEZE ORIAIKHI-SAO Learn all about Zeze Oriaikhi-Sao
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