That Second-Gen Life with Semhar

Tune into Episode #19 of That Second Gen Life with Semhar , covering the recent conference I went to in Washington, D.C., the Eritreans in Tech Summit. In it, I share what I saw, learned and really walked away with - and how we can take that energy into action. And yes, as a member of the Eritrean diaspora, I have to say, it was really nice to have this space created and in such a powerful way. So...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit semhar.substack.com In this episode of That Second-Gen Life , Semhar is back from an extended personal visit to Minnesota with a heavy, firsthand look at what’s actually happening on the ground. Forget what you’re seeing in the headlines. Semhar describes a community living under a "state of siege," where neighborhood streets have turne...

Hi everyone, I’m coming to you today with a bit of a heavy heart. This wasn’t a planned episode, but sometimes life—and the headlines—don’t wait for a production schedule. If you’ve been watching what’s happening in Minnesota lately, especially within the Somali diaspora and the broader immigrant community, you know it’s been a tumultuous couple of weeks. Between the increased targeting, the prese...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit semhar.substack.com Radical Honesty and Setting Intentions for the New Year In this episode of 'That Second Gen Life with Semhar,' host Semhar Araia talks about the importance of radical honesty in self-assessment and intention setting as we enter the new year. She encourages listeners to review the past year, identify lessons learned,...

What helps you keep going when things get especially tough? As we close out 2025, I did a lookback and went much farther than I thought I would. What became a simple reflection over the year, took me into a lifelong journey of lessons and blessings. So I hit record to share a simple practice that has been fueling me lately: the practice of gratitude as a daily reset. This is a public episode. If y...

After a whirlwind September, I sat down to record another podcast episode of That Second Gen Life with Semhar and I would love for you to tune in. Join me as I share a recap of our first week of the Diaspora Leadership Program and the surprising discover I had after teaching this course for 10 years. I share: * Why session one feels like an invitation to yourself * How defining your diaspora visio...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit semhar.substack.com What happens when you stop waiting for permission and start building what your community truly needs? That’s the focus of today’s new episode of That Second-Gen Life with Semhar . I’m unpacking the core value that guides my work as a leader and advisor, to always create the spaces you wish existed. In this episode, I...

Every time I sit down to record an episode, I think of you. You might be the daughter or son of immigrants, trying to figure out how to hold your family's story and still make room for your own. Maybe you're a second-generation leader feeling stuck or unsure of what’s next. Or maybe you're someone who’s quietly carrying the weight of your community, doing your best to keep everything and everyone...

On today’s episode of That Second Gen Life , I’m taking a moment to celebrate and honor a milestone that means so much to our diaspora community: the 10th anniversary of the African Diaspora Network and its flagship event, the African Diaspora Investment Symposium (ADIS) . Tune in where I break down: * The four key ingredients that make ADN a successful diaspora-led organization * What visionary l...

What does it mean to honor your roots while building your future? What happens when a phone call changes everything you thought was just a dream? In our latest episode of That Second Gen Life , I’m getting deeply personal. I hit record while out of town during a powerful weekend—one filled with meaning, memory, and movement. It’s not just Memorial Day for me. It’s a Pan-African, Independence Day,...

It’s been just over a week since we wrapped the Eritrean Diaspora Innovators Summit , and I’m still taking it all in. To everyone who registered, showed up, asked questions, sent DMs, or even just thought about it—you reminded me why this space matters. So I took to the mic on the latest episode of That Second Gen Life to share three powerful takeaways that have stayed with me since the summit. Le...

The inaugural Eritrean Diaspora Innovators Summit (EDIS) just wrapped, and I’m so grateful. Over two days, we gathered virtually — across generations and time zones — to connect as second-gen Eritreans and allies in a way many of us have never experienced before. This wasn’t a Zoom or a conference. It was an interactive, intentional summit built for us — with 17 speakers, 14 panels, and spaces lik...

This episode of That Second-Gen Life is personal. I’m sharing the heart behind the Eritrean Diaspora Innovators Summit (EDIS) —a dream I’ve had for over a decade. EDIS is the first virtual summit created by and for second-gen Eritreans—those of us raised in immigrant households, navigating multiple cultures, and asking: Where do I fit in? Growing up in the U.S. during Eritrea’s independence moveme...

You Belong. You Have Options. Let’s Talk About It. In this episode of That Second-Gen Life , I’m breaking down what so many of us are feeling right now: uncertainty. Between policy shifts, breaking news, and rising tension, it’s easy to feel like everything about your life—your status, your rights, your future—is up in the air. But let me be clear: you are not the “other.” You belong. And no matte...

Have you ever wondered how your actions—big or small—contribute to diaspora impact? Whether you're preserving culture, advocating for change, or building businesses, your work is shaping communities in powerful ways. But what does diaspora impact actually look like, and where do you fit in? In this episode of That Second Gen Life , I answer one of the most common questions I get: What does diaspor...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit semhar.substack.com The global development world is shifting fast, and diasporas are leading the way . In this subscriber-only episode of That Second-Gen Life with Semhar , I break down how diasporas are filling critical gaps in global development, investing in our homelands, and shaping policy— a role that’s even more urgent now as the...

If you’re a second-generation diaspora, you know the feeling. * Balancing heritage with the realities of your family in a new homeland. * Moving between cultures. * Figuring out where you fit. * Daring to dream far beyond what others want for you and trying something new. No matter where you’re from - you know what I’m talking about. But here’s the thing - do you realize you are taking the dreams...

Have you ever wondered if you’re part of a diaspora or whether it matters to anyone else but you? Or maybe you’ve heard the term but aren’t sure what it really means? In this episode of That Second-Gen Life with Semhar , we break it all down. At The Diaspora Academy , we rely on the IOM’s 2013 definition, which was first introduced at the Diaspora Ministerial Conference . It defines diasporas as “...

What does it mean to live in the in-between? To grow up with one foot in your family’s homeland and the other in the country you live in? Where do you find your ground and sense of belonging? It’s not here or there. For second-generation immigrants, this is more than just a question—it’s a daily reality. And yet, despite the challenges of navigating multiple cultures, there’s a power in being seco...

I’m Semhar - a second-generation Eritrean-American, entrepreneur, diaspora engagement expert, and most importantly, a mom, sister, and community member . My life has been about navigating cultures, bridging identities, and turning those experiences into impact. Through my work in diaspora engagement, leadership development, and global advocacy , I’ve helped others harness their unique journeys—and...