Afro Aloha

In this compelling episode, Bridget Bickerton-Morgan, Managing Partner at Bickerton Law Group, breaks down the complex realities of the justice system in Hawai‘i. She discusses the recent dismissal of the Lindani Myeni lawsuit. Bickerton Law Group filed the suit shortly after the shooting and killing of Lindani Myeni by Honolulu Police Department in April 2021. We dive into the disparities in poli...

In this heartfelt episode of the Afro Aloha Podcast, Amy Benson sits down with Nate Dixon, CEO of Senior Helpers West Oahu, a leading in-home care service dedicated to supporting Hawai‘i’s aging population. A retired U.S. Air Force veteran and longtime community leader, Nate shares his journey from serving his country to serving Hawai‘i’s kupuna (elders) with compassion, cultural sensitivity, and...

In this thought-provoking episode of the Afro Aloha Podcast , we sit down with Dr. Paula Burton Major — educator, cultural advocate, and systems change leader — to explore the urgent challenges and transformative possibilities in Hawai‘i’s education system. With decades of experience championing equity and culturally responsive teaching, Dr. Major unpacks how historical erasure, systemic bias, and...

Dr. Jacqueline Sherman (Dr. Jac) is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Intimacy and Relationship Coach, and Military Spouse based in Honolulu. In 2022, she released Sexfirmation Cards, the first sexual wellness card deck for women. The deck helps women boost their sex confidence and enhance their intimacy by developing a practical sexual self-care practice. Dr. Jac has become a sought-after residen...

In this transformative episode of the Afro Aloha Podcast , host Amy Benson sits down with the visionary Naivasha , also known as Vasha . A powerhouse creative strategist, former Creative Director for Blavity, Travel Noire, and AfroTech , ultra-marathoner,, make-up artist, club promoter, thespian, display designer, music video director, wellness magazine creator, holistic nutritionist, corporate me...

In this episode of the Afro Aloha Podcast, host Amy Benson sits down with Kamakakēhau (Kamaka) Fernandez, a Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winning artist. Born in Arkansas and adopted at 2 months old into a Native Hawaiian family, Kamaka made his way to Hawaii and was raised on the island of Maui. He shares his unique story of being black and growing up immersed in Hawaiian culture. Kamaka was raised duri...

Tashara Parker, 5-time Emmy Award winning journalist and Founder of Afro Aloha, Amy Benson, join forces in Honolulu for a special crossover episode of the Afro Aloha Podcast and Loud and Clear Show. What does it meant to be 'LOUD?" In this special episode they discuss what is means to be unapologetically authentic, beauty standards, self-value, the balance of prioritizing your culture while being...

Lehman Bliss, an Atlanta native, Savannah State graduate, and US Navy sailor, joins us on the Afro Aloha Podcast. In this episode, we delve into the complexities of joining and serving in the US military, the importance of therapy for black men, building healthy relationships, coping with the grief of losing a parent, and navigating the transition out of the military to forge a new and brighter fu...

Dearonne Bethea, retired chief warrant officer and real estate investor, has amassed a portfolio of over 100M from his first investment of $236 in 2002. The North Carolina native is the CEO of Band of Brothers Investment Group, which was named SBA's Top Veteran Owned Business in Hawaii in 2023. From probation to prosperity, Bethea shares how he turned his life around and began paving a path to...

Dr. Danielle McCleave became the first black woman to earn a Doctorate in Architecture from the University of Hawaii Manoa in 2022. McCleave is an architectural designer and artist from South Florida and relocated to Honolulu 6 years ago. Using her diverse educational background to fuel her creative pursuits. Mccleave, whose grandfather was a Tuskegee Airmen, joins us to discuss her fine arts back...

United States Army Major, entrepreneur, mother, and Howard University graduate, Paris Holman, pulls up to the Afro Aloha Podcast. Holman is a Maryland native and has lived in Honolulu for 4.5 years. In this episode we discuss growing up in a religious household, being homeschooled in Japan, and what led her to join the military and attend Howard University. Holman is the founder of She Her Go, a b...

Former pro basketball player & Harlem Globetrotter, Geremy Robinson, initially relocated to Honolulu 26 years ago after being recruited by University of Hawai'i at Manoa basketball team. Currently the CEO and coach of Team Opencourt Basketball Club in Hawai'i. Robinson is also a real estate investor. Robinson Topics: Male role models, professional basketball, sports politics in Hawaii,...

From Married at First Sight to relocating to Honolulu a year ago, data analyst and content creator Meka Jones, stops by The Afro Aloha Podcast. The Clark Atlanta University alumna jokingly tells us her dating experience in Hawai'i, key tips on negotiating salaries, using her platform to empower local businesses, and more. Guest: Meka Jones @_solobliss Host: Amy Benson @amybenson808 The Afro Al...

Raised on the westside of O'ahu, entertainer Juju discusses his island upbringing, peaks and valleys of his entertainment career, mental health, work ethic, staying true to yourself, and more. Juju also dives into the gatekeepers of Hawai'i's music industry and the complacency that plagues Hawai'i, despite the astronomical amount of talent here. @afroalohapodcast @amybenson808 @juj...

Trained aerospace engineer and ballet dancer, known as The Dancing Rocket Scientist, stops by to discuss her experience navigating aerospace as a young black woman, mental health, her new book (Balancing Your Center of Gravity) and being a newlywed. Her company, The Steam Collaborative empowers black youth through designing and implementing STEAM Equity programming. www.thesteamcollab.com Host: @a...

Kailua, O'ahu native Irie Love is an Indigenous mixed-race earth protecting recording artist, youth advocate, and wellness curator. In this episode, Irie reflects on growing up in Hawai'i, taking a 6-year hiatus from music, navigating grief, her upcoming album, and more. Guest: Irie Love @thisisirielove Host: Amy Benson @amybenson808 The Afro Aloha Podcast is produced by Afro Aloha, Hawai&...

Stephen Hill is a Honolulu based actor and photographer. For the past 5 years, Hill has played the role of Theodore "TC" Calvin on the show Magnum P.I. You can also catch Hill in the upcoming film, The Color Purple, as "Buster." Guest: www.instagram.com/stephenhillacts Host: www.instagram.com/amybenson808

Amy Benson is the Founder of Afro Aloha, Hawai'i's cultural hub for black locals and visitors, and the creator and host of the Afro Aloha Podcast. Benson relocated from Atlanta, Georgia to Honolulu, Hawai'i in 2013. To learn more about Afro Aloha, visit afroaloha.com

On the season premiere of the Afro Aloha Podcast, Dr. Camonia Graham-Tutt, Associate Vice Chancellor at University of Hawai'i West O'ahu, joins us to talk story. Dr. C. attended Howard University in addition to graduate school at Baylor University and completed her post-doc at University of Hawai'i/UH Cancer Center. In this episode, Dr. C. discusses the path that led her to Honolulu 12...

Amy Benson, Founder of Afro Aloha & host of the Afro Aloha Podcast sheds light on what the Afro Aloha Podcast is & the inspiration behind it.