The Diaspora Door with Nze

Join host Nze Obinelo on The Diaspora Door for an inspiringconversation with guest Lawrence Kemdirim, the artisan mind behind Ottawa's acclaimed handcrafted leather line, Guy Shop. From raw materials to heritage-quality goods, Lawrence breaks down what it takes to build an authentic craft business in the diaspora—and how being raised in the diaspora by parents who grounded him in cultural root...

What does it take to revolutionize behavioral health while building a legacy of equity and empowerment? In this inspiring episode of The Diaspora Door, host Nze Obinelo sits down with Portia James, Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Founder of Behavior Genius. Portia shares her powerful journey as a visionary entrepreneur, the critical importance of culturally responsive care in Applied B...

In this episode, host Nze Obinelo connects with OpheliaBurnett, the Executive Director of the New Hampshire Center for Justice and Equity.  With her deep commitment to dismantling barriers and drivingtransformative policy across the Granite State. Ophelia works tirelessly to ensure that equity is not just a buzzword, but a lived reality for every community. In this episode Nze will introduce liste...

Welcome back to The Diaspora Door! In this episode, Nze sits down with Jason Diggs—a dedicated social worker and advocate with a deep passion for helping individuals build strong social skills, navigate life transitions, and foster meaningful community connections, and empower the next generation. Together, they dive into the essentials of supporting youth socially and emotionally—both inside the...

How do you turn a single grassroots project into a multi-million-dollar movement that transforms thousands of lives? In this episode of The Diaspora Door, host Nze Obinelo sits down with Canadian social entrepreneur, philanthropist, and Canadian Disability Hall of Fame inductee Tim Cormode—founder of Power to Be and CEO of Power to Give. Together, they explore how Tim leveraged the healing power o...

On this episode of *The Diaspora Door*, host Nze Obinelo sits down with veteran New Hampshire State Representative Linda Harriott-Gathright for an inspiring discussion on public service, civic leadership, and grassroots advocacy. Drawing from her extensive background—including her service as a Nashua Alderman and former President of the Greater Nashua Area Branch NAACP—Representative Harriott-Gath...

What does it truly mean to have a "sisterfriend"? On this episode of  The Diaspora Door , host Nze Obinelo is joined by special guest Chapreese Pennington for a heartwarming, insightful, and deeply resonant conversation on the sacred art of female friendship among Black women. Together, they explore: Defining the Sisterfriend:  What elevates a friend to a sisterfriend—the trust, shared h...

What happens when American-born teens are sent back to their parents’ homeland to attend high school? On this episode of  The Diaspora Door , host Nze Obinelo sits down with a Nigerian-Igbo family to explore the transformative journey of raising US-born children who spent key high school years completing their education in Nigeria. Together, they dive deep into: The Culture Shock & Reality Che...

Join The Diaspora Door host Nze Obinelo for an inspiring and grounded conversation with LaTonya Muccioli, Executive Director of Family Promise of Southern New Hampshire. In this episode, LaTonya shares her powerful journey as a female leader of color raising her family while navigating her career journey across human services—from advocating for seniors at Gateways Community Services and shaping l...

On this episode of  The Diaspora Door , Nze Obinelo sits down with educator, coach, mother, and world-class masters athlete Kairy Loucks. From setting records as a McMaster Athletics Hall of Famer in her collegiate years to ranking in the top 5 Pentathlon/ triple jump/long jump.  She started again in track competing at age 51 and she just turned age 60 this August 2026. Kairy is a true masterclass...

In this episode, host Nze Obinelo connects with Joyce Jonathan Crone, a Mohawk matriarch, retired teacher, activist and humanitarian. She is the passionate Founder and President of Hope Arises and the heart behind the compelling documentary Red Girl Rising. Together, Nze and Joyce explore the vital intersections of storytelling, Indigenous advocacy, and community empowerment. Listen in for an insp...

Belonging In The Both Diaspora Door host Nze Obinelo is opening the door to aconversation on identity, heritage, and the powerful experience of navigatingthe world with two young biracial women. Growing up in households where twodistinct cultures and races meet brings a unique vantage point—filled with deepjoys, rich perspectives, and, of course, its own set of distinct challenges. Tohelp us explo...

“If you don't know where you've been, you don't know where you are going.” Maya Angelou   In this powerful episode of The Diaspora Door, host Nze Obinelo sits down with a living legend of New Hampshire’s civil rights history: Harvey Keye. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1932, Harvey’s journey spans the violent oppression of the Jim Crow South, service in the Korean War, and a move to N...

This is an incredibly rich and vital topic for The Diaspora Door, where host Nze Obinelo will hear from guest, Chuba Udokwu, “who anchors the next generation when the pioneers step away?” He will talk about the transition of power and the specific question of who fills the shoes of retiring corporate pioneers in the  diaspora.  Discussing the trajectory of corporate professionals from the diaspora...

From working alongside his father behind a classic luncheonette and sweet shop counter to spending four decades at the helm of the iconic Martha’s Exchange, William "Billy" Fokas is true Nashua, New Hampshire Main Street royalty. Born and raised in Nashua and a University of New Hampshire business graduate, Billy has spent essentially his entire life shaping the local dining scene. In th...

What does the future of leadership look like when youth, culture, and community intersect? In this episode of The Diaspora Door, host Nze Obinelo sits down with two remarkable seniors from Nashua High School North who are redefining local activism: Salomé Safri and Jordin Lopez. Salomé, the daughter of Pakistani and Dominican immigrants, beautifully weaves together photography, writing, and social...

Nothing says the peak of a New England summer quite like the local ice cream stand. But beyond the scoops, sprinkles, and nostalgia, these beloved spots are the ultimate community anchors where generations of families cross paths, celebrate milestones, and create lasting memories.  In this incredibly fun, delicious, and community-centric episode of  The Diaspora Door , host Nze Obinelo pulls up a...

Tolu Tunde’s journey to the heights of Division I college football is a masterclass in versatility, adaptability, and pure athletic drive. Born in Nigeria, Tolu grew up immersed in soccer and basketball before moving to Canada. He didn't even strap on a football helmet until his senior year of high school. Despite his late introduction to the sport, his natural athleticism and explosive power...

What does it truly take to pull down the barriers of expectation and step entirely into your own truth? In this profoundly moving and necessary episode of  The Diaspora Door , host Nze Obinelo opens up a space of deep empathy, listening, and learning as she welcomes Adrianne Greenberg-Sud to share her personal transgender journey. Adrianne Greenberg-Sud is a transgender, pansexual woman of Indian...

Today we have 3 guests who together, they will dive into the unique challenges and triumphs of preserving agricultural lands and fostering eco-conscious communities in small-towns in Canada, Kenya and the United States. They are going to let us know what to do to preserve and maintain our diaspora. Noeline Burk, Jerusha Mangera and Mark Post will explore the critical world of farm conservation and...

What happens when two powerhouse community builders join forces? In this inspiring episode of  Diaspora Door , we sit down with the incredible Yasamin Safarzadeh and Seana McDuffie to explore how they’ve combined their unique talents to drive transformative activism across the communities they serve. Together, Yasamin and Seana are rewriting the playbook on grassroots impact, proof that collaborat...

Food is never just about sustenance—it is our history, our geography, and our deepest expression of love and memory. In this highly anticipated and delicious episode of The Diaspora Door , host Nze Obinelo opens up the ultimate roundtable kitchen with guests Donna Sud , Gabriela Bentley, Jessica Watterson and Priti Saini to ask a universal question: What’s Cooking? When we cross borders and build...

The Diaspora Door Guest: Nancy Connelly, Kerry Wright What does it mean to step into a room, a career, or a community and command space with absolute authenticity? In this high-energy and empowering episode of  The Diaspora Door , host Nze Obinelo sits down with the phenomenal Nancy Connelly to explore the art of building an undeniable impact and leading with purpose. True inclusion requires an un...

Can true financial freedom be achieved in isolation, or is community the ultimate economic asset? In this high-impact episode of  The Diaspora Door , host Nze Obinelo is joined by two powerhouse voices in economic empowerment:  Stephanie Jones , Head of National Partnerships and Community Relations at JP Morgan Chase, and Community Manager  Tochi Nwoke . Together, they unpack the vital connection...

In this episode, host Nze Obinelo is joined by Lily Vogel to recap their incredible experience running the Paris Marathon on April 12, 2026! Together, they take you behind the scenes of what it took to cross the finish line in France, sharing their personal training highs and lows, the unforgettable energy of the Parisian crowds, and the shared bond of taking on 26.2 miles together. Lily, a 2025 c...