Afros in the Diaspora

KTheChosen is your Friendly Neighbourhood Rapper who creates music that is both entertaining and enlightening. K is a Zimbabwean-raised and Calgary-based artist who believes in the power of storytelling to share the experiences of those around him. His 2021 album, +Vice (pronounced "add vice") covered topics such as grief, feminism, and mental well-being. This community-focused album resulted in K...

Priscille Bukasa, a Calgary-based spoken word artist and writer, draws inspiration from her roots in the Democratic Republic of Congo, infusing her work with the richness of her upbringing and culture. With over 14 years of captivating performances, Priscille's dynamic presence has graced diverse stages, from conferences to marketing campaigns. As a teaching artist, she leads poetry workshops acro...

Idris Lawal's musical journey began to take shape during his upbringing in Nigeria and South Africa. It was during weekends and car rides in Lagos and Cape Town that he discovered the rich tapestry of musical influences that would shape his artistic path. He soaked in his dad's Afrobeat and highlife mixes during those rides and experienced the vibrant hip-hop and R&B soundtracks while watching...

Evans Ofori-Amanfo born in Ghana is a model, actor, and writer. After living in Canada for most of his life, Evans moved from Toronto to Los Angeles to further his work and his future endeavours. Evans is an advocate for freedom of expression and living in your truth and authenticity. His syringoma which is a unique physical feature of Evans, pushes him to challenge the beauty standards. Evans int...

Favour Odusola's journey in dance is a remarkable blend of passion, innovation, and dedication. From modest beginnings in Nigeria performing at local events, his zeal for dance burgeoned, leading him to pursue Theatre Arts at Redeemers University, where he specialized in African traditional and Contemporary dance. Under the mentorship of artists like Kaffy and Les Twins, Favour not only refined hi...

Nikita Kalonji embodies a diverse tapestry of experiences, from her roots as a Congolese-Canadian raised between Quebec and Kinshasa to her flourishing career in entertainment and sports. From a tender age, Nikita’s innate talent for entertaining led her into modelling and acting, eventually securing her lead roles in groundbreaking African Canadian series and thrilling short films. Off-screen, Ni...

Makambe K Simamba originally from Zambia, is a multiple award-winning playwright and actor. Select stage acting credits include work with New Harlem Productions, Thousand Islands Playhouse, Ghost River Theatre, Chromatic Theatre, and Sage Theatre. On-screen, she can be seen in projects like Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Titans, True Dating Stories, Grand Army and more. As a playwright, her solo w...

Hakeem Lawal is an entrepreneur, community advocate, and father originally from Nigeria. He co-founded Fari Hara Custom Tailoring, a custom apparel company located in Alberta and Ontario, Canada. As one of Canada's leading fashion design brands, Fari Hara's work has been featured at the GRAMMYS; the brand has dressed celebrities on major TV stations and has become a household name across North Ame...

Misha Maseka is an award-winning filmmaker, performer, writer and composer who founded Village Girls in 2021. Born in Eswatini to Zambian parents and growing up in South Africa, Australia and settling in Canada, Misha’s adaptability to culture has served her well as a storyteller. Starting her career in opera and theatre performing across Canada and Germany (Calgary Philharmonic, Theatre Calgary,...

Shula Molobeka was born in Lusaka, Zambia. Twenty-five years ago, she made the difficult choice to emigrate in pursuit of a better life for herself and her family. As a mum of five ranging from the ages of 29 to 17, she is blessed with a bonus daughter. Shula wholeheartedly enjoys motherhood. When she is not being mum, she has a career as a Massage Therapist which she is passionate about. She enjo...

Born in Nigeria and now calling Canada home, Mo works in banking and finance by day, navigating the complexities of the financial world. However, his passions lie beyond numbers. As a photographer, he captures the beauty of life through his lens, and as a stand-up comedian, he brings laughter to audiences, blending humour with his unique cultural perspective. Sports and music fuel his soul, servin...

On this episode, Maya shares his take on building community, standing firm on his sense of identity and culture and what to do when stopped by the police as a Black immigrant. We discuss his Zambian heritage and friendships amongst other things. Listen, review and share! If you are an African/Black immigrant and would like to be a featured guest on Afros in the Diaspora Podcast, send a DM or email...

Slim Tyme, originally from Nigeria, began his musical journey at age 4 in Port-Harcourt. He fell in love with the saxophone and, at 14, moved to Canada, where he became a DJ and embraced music production. Slim Tyme is known for mixing hip hop, R&B, afrobeat, gospel and a host of genres to create unique musical experiences. He's opened for artists like Burna Boy, Davido and Ty Dolla $ign, colla...

Francisca Ajayi, originally from Nigeria is a recent graduate of the University of Calgary. She is passionate about sustainable community development and politics. With her degree in International Relations, she aspires to become one of the greatest diplomats and ambassadors the United Nations has ever seen. She also enjoys creative endeavours and volunteering. In this episode, Francisca shar...

Join us on Episode 14 of Afros in the Diaspora Podcast with Chris (from Ghana) as we discuss some pros and cons of living in the diaspora based on our lived experiences. We dive into some highs and lows, some of the culture shocks we have experienced and things we miss from home. Follow Chris on Instagram @ king_waddle If you are an African/Black immigrant and would like to be a featured guest on...

Charles Andrew Payne is an accomplished actor, writer, comedian and inspirational speaker with an extensive resume.  Notably, he had the pleasure of sharing the screen with esteemed actors like Johnny Depp in an early TV role on "21 Jump Street," Kevin Sorbo on "Andromeda" and "Miracle in East Texas," and even joined forces with Pam Grier and Snoop Dogg on "The L-Word." Beyond his acting acco...

Ivanna Ihekwoaba is a Nigerian-born actor, spoken word poet, and filmmaker based in Vancouver. Ivanna created her debut short film  "Who We Are",  under the under the Reel Youth  Black Brilliance  program, in partnership with Telus StoryHive. She can be seen playing the role of Esther in the award-winning short film “Esther & Sai”, inspired by a true&nbs...

Chish is a Mutli-Disciplinary artist based in Calgary AB (Canada). He started painting as a form of therapy 8 years ago. His passion for art began when Chish first learned how to draw from his cousin while living at his grandmother’s house in his home country, Zambia. Growing up he was inspired by musicians, actors, artists, and world leaders. Chish believes that by adding color you can shed light...

Adetola "aloT of Poetry" Adedipe, a Nigerian-South African poet and two-time Calgary Slam Champion, From performances at Arts Commons to being a featured artist at various poetry festivals and publications, she's made her mark on the artist community through focusing on true, unapologetic authenticity and healing vulnerability. As the Founder of Poetic Designers, a brand, and web design business t...

Season's Greetings from Afros in the Diaspora Y'all! In this episode, Sarah - creator and host - shares her experiences with Christmas and the Holidays in a new country and as a immigrant. She goes on to offer a few helpful tips on creating a positive holiday filled with fun, contentment and hope. Sarah also shares an announcement - Afros in the Diaspora will be going on a end-of-year break. The n...

Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Kundai spent the early years of her life with relatives. She embarked on a journey from Zimbabwe and eventually settled in Canada. Presently, she calls Calgary, Alberta, home, where she resides with her immediate family. With an active practice in nursing, Kundai is passionate about children and nature. She overcame her love-hate relationship with writing and achieved...

Sherry Buroker is a creative young professional, working as an actress in the voice, theatre, and film industry in Canada. With experience in video editing and scriptwriting, she brings various skills to her creative pursuits. Motivated by a desire to inspire others, Sherry is committed to demonstrating that dreams are achievable through persistent dedication to her creative career. Outside of her...

In today's episode, we have Werknesh, better known by her stage name "Soliana," a rising East African actor and model based in Alberta. Soliana originally hails from the Northwestern part of Kenya, the Turkana district before she moved to Canada with her family in 2009. In this episode, prepare for laughter as she takes us through the humorous anecdotes and challenges of her journey as an immigran...

In today's episode, we have Nasya, a first-generation immigrant hailing from Jos, Nigeria, whose journey to Canada began as a student. Nasya's story unfolds as she successfully navigates the academic landscape, earning a bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Calgary. Now firmly rooted in Calgary, she not only excels in her professional life but also emerges as a dynamic music prod...

In this podcast episode, we dive into the fascinating journey of Dr. Chinenye Nwoke, an enthusiastic epidemiologist specializing in immigrant health and the mental well-being of African mothers. Driven by a passion for health equity, she currently focuses her research on maternal depression and anxiety within the Canadian immigrant community. Dr. Chinenye shares her experiences as an international...