Pánsá Pánsá Podcast

In this thought-provoking episode of the Pansa Pansa Forum, I sat down with Nigerian-born clinical psychologist and public intellectual Dr. Bayo Akomolafe for a profound exploration of mental health, culture, spirituality, and belonging within African immigrant communities. I first encountered Dr. Akomolafe through a Facebook announcement for a seminar he was preparing for therapists titled "...

Historically, many African immigrants anticipated retiring in their respective countries of origin, and cultural bonding, familiarities, and memorable history of home usually draw this. However, the realities are more complex than anticipated, and the factors contributing to this complexity include lack of quality health care, the standard of living, and other realistic issues that may be challeng...

Happy New Year to our listeners, and welcome to Pansa Pansa Podcast. At Pansa Pansa Podcast, we continue to explore meaningful conversations that contribute to the welfare of our African immigrant communities in the diaspora. Many topics are coming your way that speaks to our needs as we continue to inspire our community. The topics to explore include retirement planning and the logistics of old a...

My first contact with Judith Folashade Ojo at OAN Organization of Advancement of Nigeria was years ago. Her pleasantness, sociable nature, and desire to connect with her Nigerian roots impressed me. Folashade came from two powerful heritages, African American and Nigeria, specifically Yoruba Heritage. Since I met her, she has always embraced her two heritage. For example, I was invited to Folashad...

Dr. Mojúbàolú Olúfúnké Okome is a Social Scientist and a Professor of Political Science, African & Women's Studies at Brooklyn College in NYC. I recently came across the essay written by Dr. Okome titled 'African Immigration to the United States: Dimensions of Migration, Immigration, and Exile.' The essay resonates with some of my discussions on the Pansa Pansa podcast regarding the lack of re...

Marjorie Boafo Appiah, also known as Marjy Marj, is diverse in many areas as an author and a visionary. I recently came across Marjy's Instagram post on her publication of children's and young readers' books on immigrant experiences. The post displayed a series of children's books she wrote examining the immigrant experiences.  I immediately went to her website and was impressed by her work in the...

Dr. Adeodat Ilboudo, the dean of studies at Bard Early College-Manhattan, leads a tuition-free private school that offers adolescent students the opportunity to take college-level classes. This unique environment is designed to provide rigorous two-year college academic work in a supportive atmosphere, ensuring students feel reassured and confident in their educational journey. Among her various r...

Over twenty years ago, a friend shared Dr. Fayemi's book Window to the Soul with me, and I was captivated by the beautiful pictures of African children in the book. I reached out to him to buy my copy, and the rest is history, as my family has become part of his family. When I reached out to him to share his experience as a Nigerian immigrant in America, he didn't hesitate but was gladly w...

Welcome back, listeners! As we dive into this new season of Pansa Pansa Podcast. l am thrilled to share with you some captivating excerpts from my recent interview with the remarkable Dr. Olusegun Fayemi. Dr. Fayemi, an accomplished pathologist, and celebrated photographer. He has spent over four decades combining his medical expertise with his passion for documenting the social fabric of continen...

Hello, listeners, and welcome back to another exciting season of Pansa Pansa podcast. I am thrilled to have you join me for what promises to be the most engaging and inspiring episodes of pansapansa to come. During this season l will be bringing you a series of incredible stories, thought-provoking discussions, and in-depth interviews with extraordinary guests from all walks of lives. This season...

Madam Alimatu Dimonekene MBE is an award-winning women and girls' rights advocate. Madam Dimonekene is a high-profile British and Sierra Leonean award-winning Human Rights Activist, Child Protection and Safeguarding Expert, Keynote Speaker at Girl Summit in 2014, FGM Consultant, Philanthropist, and mentor. She is a member of Equality Now, an Op-ed Public Voices Fellow on Advancing the Rights of Wo...

Ms. Esther Lola Aforo was born and raised in Sierra Leone, where she attended Ahmadiyya Muslim Secondary School. In her late teens, she immigrated to the United States with her husband and developed professional skills while working in a variety of roles. She earned her undergraduate degree from Florida State University and later pursued postgraduate studies at Georgetown University in Washington,...

Gugulethu Makhari, affectionately known as Gugu, is an entrepreneur, global advocate, and passionate champion for women's rights, human rights, and youth empowerment. Originally from South Africa, Gugu has built a life dedicated to service, activism, and uplifting vulnerable communities around the world. I had the privilege of meeting Gugu at the African Animation Film Festival hosted by one o...

I learned about Dr. Mathero Michelle Nkhalamba on The More Sibyl Podcast. She was invited along with other experts in the field of mental health and mental illness to talk about one of the most pressing issues globally "Suicide in Preteens. I was one of the attendees, and I will say that her contribution to intergenerational trauma in African societies could be relatable to many African famil...

In 2017, Pánsá Pánsá Forum was established to normalize conversation about the importance of community engagement regarding African immigrant experiences in America. This forum was created to facilitate discussion of our adjustment to our new homes as immigrants and to openly discuss complex issues within our community. We have held many community conversations on intergenerational relationships,...

I first discovered Iyabo Onipede after watching a short Instagram clip she posted during Black History Month in 2023 about racial healing. Her message was thoughtful, powerful, and deeply moving. Seeing her distinctly Yoruba surname also sparked my curiosity. I wanted to learn more about her Nigerian roots, her family background, and what inspired her passionate advocacy for racial equity and just...

Episode DescriptionAdwoa Lee is a Ghanaian first-generation immigrant living in Italy whose work has sparked important conversations about African parenting, childhood trauma, identity, and healing. I first discovered Adwoa through her thought-provoking YouTube videos, where she openly discusses the complex relationship between African immigrant parents and their children. Her honesty, courage, an...

As I said during my conversation with Titilayo Ogunbambi, “When you are in the right part, the right people will come your way.” During my conversation with Dr. Ibrahim Puri on one of my podcast episodes on female genital mutilation, she mentioned Ogunbambi’s work on gender violence. Dr. Puri cited Ogunbambi’s publication titled Emerge, and she suggested that Titilayo would be an excellent candida...

I came across the story of Kanyeachukwu through my dear family friend Dodji Gbedemah, the owner of Kente Royal Gallery, whose mission is to feature and connect the strength of Africans in the diaspora through Art. In May, Kente Royal featured Kanyeachukwu Okeke, an exceptionally talented artist 13-year-old Nigerian/Canadian young man living with autism. I could not resist my aspiration to request...

Since our last community conversation exploring African immigrant experiences and intergenerational relationships, I have continued to reflect on one important question: **What does fatherhood mean within African immigrant communities in the diaspora?**Fatherhood is one of the most influential yet often overlooked conversations within our communities. While African families exist in many different...

Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) remains one of the most difficult yet necessary conversations facing communities around the world. While often surrounded by cultural beliefs, secrecy, and silence, FGM/C is a practice that has devastating lifelong consequences for girls and women physically, emotionally, and psychologically. Dr. Ibrahim Puri brings her years of research and teaching exper...

It was a great honor and pleasure to have Dr. Motolani Ogunsanya, a fellow podcaster with extensive research experience on cancer in America and Africa, talk with me about this subject on my podcast. Dr. Ogunsanya has a broad knowledge of this issue. She is a gifted communicator as she simplifies scientific terms so that the topic discussed is accessible to average listeners. The conversation was...

I came across the reel video Damilola posted on Instagram. It was a short clip addressing childhood trauma within African immigrant families. As many are aware, many African immigrant parents are struggling to relate to their children's emotional needs due to parents' emotional bankruptcy or burnout. Since this topic aligned with many conversations I have had on Pánsá Pánsá, I invited Dami to have...

It was such a great pleasure to have a fellow podcaster from Zambia, Nancy Mulemwa Siisii, the host of Concrete Pastures on Pánsá Pánsá conversation. We met through the connection of one of my guests Prof. Boukary Sawadogo who was featured on both our podcasts in promoting his recently published book. Before coming to the pansa pansa platform, I was also a guest on Concrete Pastures. I appreciate...

My conversation as a guest on The More Sibyl Podcast a fellow Nigeria on my story as an African in the diaspora. I learned about  The More Sibyl Podcast while I was listening to Concrete Pasture Podcast.  The host of Concrete Pastures Nancy Mulemwa Siisii my sister from Zambia invited More Sibyl as a guest on Concrete Pasture Podcast. I started following The More Sibyl Podcast and I list...