Diaspora Diaries

In this episode, Awa Sow sits down with poet and community organiser Binta Yade to unpack the boxes we inherit: gender, sexuality, ethnicity, identity, and the binaries that shape how we understand ourselves and one another. Together, they explore the colonial roots of many of these categories, from the imposition of Western ideas in Sub-Saharan Africa to the ways identity is navigated across the...

Recorded live at Three-Sixty Festival, this special episode brings together spoken word and conversation with Ay Hearts and MyselfBlaize, whose work sit at the intersection of poetry and community practice. Moving between performance and discussion, we explore care as something shaped in real time – as we make space for ourselves, navigate our realities, and shape the environments and practices we...

In this episode, Awa sits down with Lavin Ousi, a returning guest from Season 1,  to explore what it means to navigate Kurdish identity without a state formally recognised under international law, and how culture, language, and community hold that identity together beyond borders. The episode reflects on the complexities of “statelessness,” and the ways Kurdish identities are continuously shaped t...

In this episode, Awa returns to conversations with guests from the first three episodes of season 2, weaving together their reflections to explore what drives us in life, and how that can take different forms across our work, our lives, and the ways we make sense of the world. JINGLE “Niamey Nights”, Bamako Bae, Shutterstock, ⁠⁠https://www.shutterstock.com/music/track-1221135-niamey-nights⁠ CONTRI...

In this episode, Awa is in conversation with Fuad Busoir about love – what it means, how it is recognised, and whether it’s something felt or practised. Moving between romantic relationships, friendship and family, they reflect on the ways love shapes how people relate to one another, to space, and to themselves. Along the way, they sit with questions of accountability, intention, and whether love...

In this episode, Awa sits down with scholar Luke de Noronha to question what borders really do in our everyday lives. From citizenship and belonging to the politics behind “migration crises,” they explore how borders shape who belongs, who is welcomed, and who is framed as a threat.  JINGLE “Niamey Nights”, Bamako Bae, Shutterstock, ⁠⁠https://www.shutterstock.com/music/track-1221135-niamey-nights⁠...

In this episode, Awa speaks with spoken word artist Tariq Brown about using poetry to make power visible. They explore how he transforms complex, often academic ideas – from capitalism to systemic oppression – into poetic, thought-provoking verse. It’s a conversation about heritage, awareness, and the poet’s role in illuminating systems of oppression. JINGLE “Niamey Nights”, Bamako Bae, Shuttersto...

Diaspora Diaries is back for Season 2 👀 Here's a moment to revisit what this space is about — and an invitation to step in. Now powered by Transmission Roundhouse.

The first season of Diaspora Diaries is coming to a close. Thank you for listening, reflecting, and being in conversation with us. We'll be taking a short summer break — but we’ll be back soon with more voices, more stories, and more to reflect on. Season 2 coming soon. Stay tuned. 🌍✍🏽 JINGLE “Niamey Nights”, Bamako Bae, Shutterstock, ⁠⁠https://www.shutterstock.com/music/track-1221135-niamey-nig...

In this episode, Awa and Ellen discuss European identity building and memory politics, highlighting how national narratives shape collective memory. They emphasise the selective remembrance of historical events, and its impact on national identities. Together, they examine the silencing of racialised people’s histories and experiences within discourse on national identity and how this, in turn, pl...

Stephanie discusses the valorisation of cultural heritage within the African diaspora, noting a shift in societal perception post-2020. She highlights the commodification of cultural pride by businesses and the rise of Afrobeats and other African music globally. Stephanie references the reinterpretation of cultural symbols like the Union Jack and the importance of authenticity in branding. Stephan...

In this episode, Awa and Jade discuss their experiences navigating morality and dealing with tensions and contradictions in their personal and professional lives. They explore the challenges of addressing systems of oppressions within their families and friendships, and break down what it means to study or work in spaces that uphold these structures. Together, they  look into the importance of sta...

In this episode of Diaspora Diaries, we spoke all about internalised misogyny. Stephanie and Nadia discuss their personal experiences with internalised misogyny, exploring how it manifests in women's lives with an exemplative list. They also touch on how internalized misogyny intersects with race, diaspora experiences, and societal expectations. The conversation aims to unpack and understand the c...

In this episode, Awa and Marianne explore the concept of diaspora – is simply “being from somewhere else” enough to claim a diasporic identity? They unpack what it means to relate to a place, and reflect on how diasporic experiences are shaped by history, culture, and power. The conversation also turns inward, as they grapple with the complexities of navigating positionalities within academia and...

In this episode of Diaspora Diaries, Stephanie and her friends Sari Dom and Henna discuss the role of partying in the revolution. They explore the concept of revolution as the dismantling of oppressive systems, and the importance of joy and celebration. They emphasise the need for safe spaces for marginalised groups. As well as, highlighting the political nature of partying, the importance of comm...

In this episode, Awa and Lavin discuss diasporic consciousness, focusing on the themes of belonging, identity, and home. Drawing on their experiences and reflecting on Warsan Shire's poem "Home," they explore what it means to feel at home. REFERENCES Hall, Stuart, Gilroy, Paul and Gilmore, Ruth Wilson. Selected Writings on Race and Difference. New York, USA: Duke University Press, 2021. https://do...

In this first episode, Awa and Stephanie delve into the concept of black excellence, the challenges of imposter syndrome, and the importance of recognising and leveraging their cultural backgrounds as strengths. References: Bedu, Cyrielle, host. “Le Syndrome de l’Imposteur: Pourquoi nous Hante-t-il?” Emotions (podcast). October 14, 2019. Accessed November 18, 2024. https://louiemedia.com/emotions/...

Welcome to our new show - Diaspora Diaries! Meet your hosts and producers, Stephanie and Awa. In this space, we open discussions on matters of the diaspora such as home, belonging, identity, relations, studies, and more. Sit back and enjoy! Jingle from: “Niamey Nights”, Bamako Bae, Shutterstock, https://www.shutterstock.com/music/track-1221135-niamey-nights . Produced by: Awa Sow and Stephanie Iya...