Concrete Pastures Podcast

Neeraj Kaushal is a professor of Social Policy at Columbia University and the author of When Africa Comes to America: How the Next Wave of Immigrants Will Transform the United States.  Kaushal is an economist and journalist by training and a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Her academic research has been featured in The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, The Ec...

NAWI: Dear Future Me is a multi-award winning feature film about the dreams of a girl growing up in remote Kenya. An ambitious young girl whose father then sells her off to a stranger for a herd of goats. It is an educational feature film project that was shot in arid landscapes of  Turkana. Together with the NGO Learning Lions, we try to give an insight into the issue of illegal child marriage. N...

Ayo Sopitan is the Founder & CEO of Metalex Commodities, which delivers carbon-neutral critical metals from Africa to the world. They mine and process copper and cobalt; develop their own nature-based carbon capture projects to offset their mining and processing emissions; and use their mine waste to produce bricks for affordable housing. Prior to Metalex, Ayo held consulting and commodity tra...

Lola Soyebo Harris is the founder and chief story curator of Kadara Media, an impact-driven media company that amplifies inspiring voices from Africa and its diaspora. She's passionate about sharing authentic stories that challenge perceptions and celebrate the richness of African experiences. As host of the Kádàrá Woman podcast, now in its second season, Lola guides uplifting conversations with r...

Daphne Kasambala is an impact-driven entrepreneur working at the intersection of creativity, technology and inclusive trade. Her journey spans continents and disciplines, shaped by an early career in investment banking and retail across Europe, where she developed a strong commercial grounding and a deep understanding of global markets. Over time, Daphne became increasingly drawn to the creative e...

Known as "The People's Bishop", our pastor is a shepherd that loves those he leads. Bishop Kevin Foreman is a renaissance man who has devoted his life to changing lives. Born in Denver, Colorado, and reared in Orange Mound, an area of Memphis, Tennessee, riddled with the plight that often accompanies the inner-city, From humble beginnings, through God's amazing grace, he has defied statistics and...

Christopher Hill is a New Zealand-based entrepreneur who founded several travel companies, including Impact Destinations and Hands Up Holidays, which focus on luxury, philanthropic, and volunteer-based travel. Christopher founded these companies out of a passion for creating meaningful and sustainable travel experiences. His approach involves building direct relationships with communities to ensur...

In this episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Linda Osifo, a multifaceted talent known for her captivating performances in film and television. Born and raised in Nigeria, Linda has carved out a prominent space in the entertainment industry, showcasing her versatility as an actress, model, and entrepreneur.  With a background in psychology,she seamlessly blends her artistic pursuits with...

Mo! Sibyl is a two-time award-winning podcaster, cultural curator, and unapologetic storyteller who amplifies the lived experiences of Black people, Asians, and those who love them. She is the creator and host of The More Sibyl Podcast, a globally recognized show that explores identity, migration, and belonging across borders, reaching listeners in over 100 countries. With her bold, introspective...

What are some of the biggest challenges you face as a single parent? - The challenges we face can be profound and often indescribable. Each day brings its own set of silent battles that test our resilience and strength. For instance, after my separation, the support I once relied on vanished. If you have children under five, you know they’re always getting sick, and as a working mother, I found my...

Dexter: where storytelling meets engineering!  Meet Dexter, a full-time engineer with a lifelong passion for media and film, inspired by  his mother—a talented Nollywood actress and producer. Her journey into the world of storytelling ignited her son’ curiosity, leading him to create a production company that  has brought his vision to life. Andre: Meet Andre, also a full-time engineer, but his  h...

Khallil Lambin is a former professional footballer and ex-Muslim whose life was radically transformed by Jesus Christ. Born with a deep passion for the beautiful game, he spent over a decade playing football across Europe, Asia, and the UK. Though he experienced success on the pitch, Khallil found himself unfulfilled—searching for something fame, travel, and trophies couldn’t satisfy. Everything c...

Meet Levis Chidolo Kajibwami, a multifaceted filmmaker, writer, spoken word artist, and dedicated youth leader hailing from Bukavu, DRC. Since relocating to Uganda in 2010 as a refugee, Levis has harnessed the power of storytelling to foster healing, empowerment, and transformative change in his community. As the co-founder and Executive Director of Voice of Refugee Media (VORM), Levis champions t...

Mwape Chimpampa is a remarkable 15-year-old secondary school student from Zambia. Driven by a personal loss, she has taken on the challenge of creating an affordable sunscreen specifically for people with albinism. After losing her father to skin cancer in 2017, Mwape recognized the urgent need for accessible sun protection, especially for those in low-income communities.  Her dedication to this c...

Cedric Muhikira is the author of  Libaax: Grow Your Roots Where You Land, a poignant exploration of identity and belonging. Hailing from a culture rich in storytelling, Cedric grew up surrounded by narratives shared over tea and during long walks home—tales that spoke of migration, struggle, and love. These experiences ignited his desire to weave his own stories. Though he didn't pursue formal wri...

Denis “Dubai” Maronga is an award-winning Kenyan-born creative director, stand-up comedian, podcaster, and founder & CEO of  The Kicheko Project Foundation, building global cultural connections from Seattle to Kenya. Named Best Comedian of the Year (2022–2024) at the Seattle African Achievement Awards and  Comedian Influencer of the Year (2024)  by SGWA, Denis is known for using humor, storyte...

Connect/follow Joseph vipmobiletrailers https://youtu.be/C6uBkKQI4HA?si=a2QMBDEYHzxV1u36 https://youtu.be/Zu5Tdvm3x_E?si=8K2unuhG8h4qAkr4 www.youtube.com/@chrisnetwork1266 Contact/Follow Concrete Pastures https://concretepastures.com/ Concretepastures@gmail.com   Please Support by donating for a Refugee Camp Library and Books. Thank you https://gofund.me/bc0e5cad APVA Nominee Buy our Merchandise C...

Sarah Abdullah Alsubayai is an inspiring individual from Iraq now lives in Jordan since 2014 as a refugee.  Sarah’s dedication and commitment to youth empowerment led to her nomination as a Youth on the Move Fellow by UNICEF in 2023, where she worked in partnership and resource mobilization and led a youth group for the No Lost Generation initiative.  Following her impactful experience with UNICEF...

Sherece Brown, the visionary founder of Dr. Pabs -Pineapple is a Berry, has always been passionate about health and wellness. Born to Jamaican immigrant parents, Sherece graduated from Howard University, a prestigious institution known for its rich history and commitment to excellence.  With a degree in hand, she embarked on a successful 16-year career in corporate America. However, her passion fo...

Martin Ndungu is an inspiring immigrant who made the bold decision to leave his home in Kenya for new opportunities in the USA during his early 2000s. With the support of his family and friends, who raised funds to cover his one-way ticket, and a generous loan of $200 from his best friend, Martin embarked on a journey that would change his life. Today, he is a successful entrepreneur, owning over...

Papsher Babu (Kikuni Papy Victor) is a multi-talented artist from Congo DRC, living in Kampala, Uganda. He's a singer, hip-hop rapper, poet, dance teacher, social entrepreneur, and community activist. Founder and Executive Director of Refugee Talent Group (RTG). Refugee Talent Group  aims to empower young refugees and Ugandans through life skills, music, dance, poetry, and art. Awards and Recognit...

Dr Dennis  Matanda is Chief Executive of Morgenthau Stirling, Inc., a Washington, DC-based public affairs firm that leverages data-driven insights & strategies to promote U.S. direct investment abroad (USDIA) to Africa. He was one of the first African Staff Directors of the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Global Human Rights. Before that, he served as an...

Rahildaris Marchena is a talented Venezuelan animator and digital artist who has transformed her personal journey as a former refugee in Mexico into a powerful advocacy platform. Now based in Spain, she completed her studies in Digital Animation as a DAFI Scholar. Her commitment to social justice has led her to engage in various capacity-building initiatives, including leadership courses with UNHC...

Samantha Miyanda is a passionate advocate for girls' empowerment through sports and mentorship . She founded the Girls Sports Mentorship Program in 2017, which aims to Empower girls in sports. The program pairs girls with influential female mentors to help them become leaders in their respective sports. The program also offers no-collateral small business loans with low interest rates, flexible pa...

Kwangu Liwewe is the Africa Editor at New Lines magazine, bringing a wealth of experience as a seasoned multimedia journalist. With roots in Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi, she has worked across the continent, including in South Africa, where she covered significant political, economic, and societal shifts across neighboring countries. In Nigeria, Kwangu served as the West Africa Bureau Chief for eN...