The Black Expat Experience Podcast

Season one of Black and Abroad was filled with so many revelations and open doors. This series is a long-awaited passion project, and it will unlock so many new opportunities for so many people.    I hope that you have had an opportunity to taken an opportunity to view the episodes, leave your  constructive feedback, and share in your respective communities. I hope that you enjoy li...

Born in California, Tai, grew up as a military brat living all over the world in places such as Spain, Germany, Korea, Bahrain, and Kuwait, in addition to various states across the US. Currently, Tai and her family reside in Portugal, and she works as a Diversity and Inclusion Consultant. Thank you for taking some time to listen to this episode and for leaving  your constructive feedback. The...

Mark Allan Karanja Ngina, a Kenyan scriptwriter, content developer, and copy editor, has worked extensively in the fields of entertainment and journalism.   Currently based in Beijing, China, Mark provides a platform for a diverse set of Queer voices in China to share their experiences on being Queer in China. Mark is particularly passionate about Black, African, and sexual minority-base...

Shagi was born in the Commonwealth of Dominica, a beautiful Caribbean island, where he enjoyed spending time in nature, engaging in casual conversations, eating good food, and drinking good rum.  Professionally, Shagi works in the Marketing & Branding sector, building a variety of brands. He currently is working diligently to build the brand, LARRY THE BIRD, and a few other projects. Shag...

Olivia Nadine, a native of Washington, D.C., has been an active member of the expat community since moving to Beijing in May 2016.  In May 2017, she was co-lead for a 2-day event called Umoja, that was purposed to bring WeChat connections into real life and create a space for dialogue, art, and community. This was the first event of many dedicated to building community, as it the focal point...

Born and raised between France, Guadeloupe and Martinique, Jess found a passion for language and decided that teaching others how to love languages would be part of her professional journey.     Jess is her mum's only daughter and her dad's oldest daughter. Due to  working conditions in the French West Indies and her desire to live her passion, she decided to teach in China- an...

Nathanael is a 21-year old student from Kadoma, Zimbabwe. He was offered a scholarship to study in China. While in Beijing, he's been studying engineering and is also a start-up entrepreneur.   He comes from a large family, three boys and two girls.  His family experienced a significant life-changing event with the death of his father in 2012. He is inspired by his hard-working mother an...

During this panel discussion, Black expat educators discuss a wide variety of topics and share their experiences working in cities such as Beijing, Abu Dhabi, and Melbourne.  The purpose of this panel was to gain a first-hand account of their lives inside and outside their classrooms and offices, from varying vantage points, to work as Black educators in diverse international settings.  ...

Originally from the Mid-West, Diara Parker is a senior executive and equity consultant, passionate about elevating and centering marginalized voices and perspectives into policy and systems change.   As the COO and Chief Organizational Development Consultant for EQT By Design - a consulting firm based in the United States - Diara supports organizations and communities as they redesign, b...

Andrew hails from the beautiful Caribbean twin island State of Antigua and Barbuda. He is the oldest of three boys in his family.    He started college, taking up courses in Banking and Finance but later realize that that was not his calling. After completing that program, Andrew was awarded a Chinese Government Scholarship to further his studies abroad. He left everything behind and jou...

Sharolyn, is a social entrepreneur who promotes racial equity, social advocacy, and community empowerment. She is the founder and CEO of Xpat, Inc. and creator of The Xpat App, which connects the global Black community that works, studies, and lives abroad. With representation from over 120 countries & territories across the globe, the app includes the world's largest online directory for Blac...

Chanel, a Digital Innovation teacher, English teacher, and baker from Illinois came to Beijing the summer of 2016 with the hopes of furthering her career in education. What she obtained in return was worth more than a salary and teaching experience combined.  Her life in China has helped establish the relationships she has aspired to have with her friends, colleagues ,and most importantly her...

Dr. Shannon A. B. Evans, born in Freeport Grand Bahama, is a 6th grade English teacher that currently resides in Beijing, China.    Dr. E knew she wanted to be a teacher by the age of 7, and she worked diligently toward that goal. She has an undergraduate degree in Primary Education, and she left The Bahamas at the age of 21 to pursue a master’s degree in School Counseling. She worked in...

I felt this series was vital in order to reframe the narrative about Black people of the diaspora living their best lives, traveling, impacting their communities, and making their mental health a priority.   This series is will hopefully spotlight the importance of us taking up space throughout the world, driving our own narratives, and creating opportunities for others in our community. &nbs...

thank you for tuning in to the show today. In the spirit of transparency, I wanted to share with you that The Black Expat Experience was rebranded shortly after the first season was completed; therefore, as you listen to episodes from season 1, you may hear the episodes in this season being referred to by the podcast’s former iteration, Black and Abroad. I was unaware that there was another group...

Black Men Abroad is a special episode of the Black Expat Experience live show and podcast. The mission of the series and this episode is to provide Black expats of the diaspora a constructive platform to share the genesis of their journeys abroad, share how they make their mental health a priority, and share how they impact their communities.   Through honest conversations, The Black Expat Ex...

-A native of Washington State, Dr. Raphael X. Moffett began his career in higher education and motivational speaking at Clark Atlanta University in 2002. He was inspired by working with college students and made the decision to pursue a career in student affairs. During the past 20 years, he has gained valuable experience serving in progressive leadership roles at Clark Atlanta University, Georgia...

A custom I notice that many people are getting into is choosing a guiding word at the beginning of each year. My word of the year for 2023 is TRUST!  As always, I will use this word to guide my steps and help me remain mindful of my goals, my resolve, and capabilities.  -  What is your word of the year for 2023? Feel free to share in the comments.   Remember that you are your b...

Born and raised in Barbados, Jevon always loved his vibrant culture and the small island he calls home. Growing up, his parents instilled in him the importance of traveling the world to experience new cultures and to see that there is life beyond the shores of Barbados. "The world is your oyster" his mother would always say, which led to him leaving home at 18 years old to study his bachelors in J...

Hailing from the country of Ireland, Marlene has been living and working in Beijing for almost 4 years as an educator. She describes herself as a bubbly, forward, and honest person, and she lives by the mantra, "Don't look back. Live life to the fullest."  Thank you for taking some time to listen to this episode and for  leaving  your constructive feedback.  The success of our...

An artist, writer, and educator whose perspective on “the female experience” has been distinctly molded by her upbringing, Ms. Gina P. Nelson is the Founder and Chief Creative Director of Bella and Bella Productions , a platform (launching on March 8, 2022) dedicated to uplifting, inspiring and empowering young girls and women.    As one of ten children (and one of two girls) born to Guy...

Born in Washington, D.C., Uriah is a Master Cosmetologist and the creator and founder of JustSkin, a natural skincare line made with organic and high quality ingredients.  Shortly after moving to China, Uriah realized that there was a lack of recognizable and available skincare products, especially those without the possibility of having whitening agents in them. For years, she made products...

Born in Washington, DC and raised in Waldorf, Maryland, Stephon has spent the last year living and working in China. For years, Stephon worked as a Professional Stunt Performer for film and live theatrical shows, and now he is a precision driver, living and working in Qinghuangdao China.    Stephon chooses to live by these words, "Be Humble, Yet Not Weak; Proud, Yet Not Boastful." We're...

Adalia Aborisade is a veteran educator, world traveler, and financial coach. After reaching financial independence on a teacher’s salary, she packed up her then 15-year-old daughter, canine sidekick, and sewing machine for a move to Honduras and has never looked back.  Adalia's podcast and YouTube channel provide great resources for Black women looking to live life on their own terms.  S...

Born in Lafayette, Louisiana, raised in Las Vegas, NV, Meckell, an entrepreneur and business owner living in Mexico City, is a queer travel addict, digital nomad, and content creator. Through her travel brand, Travel Well with Meckell , she creates content that inspires people to follow their dreams of entrepreneurship and/or living abroad. In addition to inspiration, Meckell's channel provides ti...