White Label American

Join us for an engaging episode featuring Nnenna—a lawyer, entrepreneur, and founder of Òrentéh, revolutionizing period care for Nigerian and African women. Her journey from Lagos to Texas, weaving through Ibadan, Port-Harcourt, and the lively Abriba, embodies the spirit and strength of the African diaspora. Nnenna shares why she chose law over nursing, defying expectations to carve her own path....

This week, we're thrilled to welcome Zenith Malawo, host of the Assorted Immigrant Stories Podcast. Zenith takes us on a lively journey through Zambia's Copperbelt mining towns, where her story unfolds. Discover the meaning behind her name, her family legacy, and Tonga heritage. Dive into childhood memories of wild games, community sports, and the close-knit mining town camaraderie. Zenith also sh...

As the Oscars approaches right after Valentine's Day, join Raphael and chaos master Ashwin in a lively recap of 2025. Step away from life's chaos and dive into an episode filled with laughs and thoughtful insights on the year's hottest movies, TV shows, and music. Raphael and Ashwin debate 2025's top films ("One Battle After Another," "Weapons," and "Sinners") while exposing tech giants' amusing e...

Note:  This episode includes discussion of suicide and drug use. If you’re experiencing suicidal thoughts or self-harm urges, please reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, available 24/7. Fresh off Benito's (Bad Bunny) epic Super Bowl win, I'm thrilled to share a special interview from a Pasteles Party taking us to Puerto Rico. For those new here, Pasteles is an event I've menti...

Black History is American History, and we're thrilled to bring you an episode that truly resonates. Tune in as host Raphael and returning guest Baudelaire Ceus explore the fascinating world of African spirituality with  The Vodou Project . This groundbreaking documentary series sheds light on the journey of Haitian Vodou from West Africa to today's diaspora. It's always a delight to have Baud...

Returning from a long break, the snow storm wasn't going stop this episode. I welcomed my favorite little troublemaker back into the studio for an episode filled with joy and laughter. My Lil Ronin, who insists on an annual visit around her birthday, finally joined me just before Christmas after much procrastination on my part. Despite claims of having 100 questions ready for me, it was I who ende...

Baudelaire is an educator, historian, and producer of the Atlas Obscura podcast. His work sheds light on lesser-known aspects of African and Caribbean histories, and he is a proud advocate for Pan-African unity and cultural pride.

Today on "White Label American," we dove into an enriching conversation with Tom Máthé, fiction writer, craft cocktail bartender, and educator. We explored unique cuisines from Hungarian peasant dishes to New England seafood treasures. Tom shared his inspiring journey from a shy college student to a thriving bartender and talented writer. We reminisced about favorite childh...

Innovative Showcase : Ashwin brings exciting news about an upcoming exhibition on December 3rd, featuring student projects on the theme of belonging in New York City. PLEASE Let me know if you wish to attend preferably ASAP so your name can be added to the RSVP Media and Influence : The guests critique the role of media personalities, including Joe Rogan, and discuss the broader implications of mi...

Join us as we dive into the incredible life story of a multi-talented artist Cav Manning aka Comrade Cav born in Tottenham, Southend, London. From becoming a  renowed dancer and later a DJ to traveling the world and working with iconic artists from Soul II Soul, Roy Ayers, MC Guru, The Roots etc. Cav's journey is nothing short of insoiring. Discover how he graced the runways of Tokyo Fash...

You’ve already enjoyed one episode celebrating the 6th anniversary of White Label American, so here’s a bonus episode! Who better to celebrate with than our go-to guy, Ashwin? We picked some random Poddeck cards and tackled the questions together. Let me tell you, they were no walk in the park!

White Label American is SIX! A huge shoutout to all of you for your incredible support. Whether you're tuning in for the first time, have been with us since day one, or joined us somewhere along the way – you're appreciated more than you know. To celebrate, who better than my mini-me? Today's special guest is none other than my kiddo! Fresh off her 6th birthday, Klara finally gets her wish to be o...

Today we're diving into a special re-released conversation with Kerry Ann Reid Brown, originally aired on April 8, 2023. Kerry Ann is an inspiring entrepreneur and the founder of Breadfruit Media, which includes popular podcasts like "Bridge to You," "Carry On Friends," and "Strictly Facts." In this episode, Kerry Ann takes us on a journey through her rich Caribbean heritage, the origin and signif...

This episode was originally recorded in April 2021. Welcome to another episode of "White Label American." Nigeria just marked its 64th anniversary (Oct 1st, 1960), so we've pulled a gem from the archives for you. Host Raphael Harry chats with Maurice Tamman, a seasoned journalist and devoted sailor with a fascinating story. From upgrading his boat inspired by a Harry Belafonte song to exploring aq...

This episode was originally recorded in March 2021. Sarah, the founder and CEO of Yarang Llamisi Foundation, hails from Gombe and shines as one of Nigeria's and the UK's finest. She's not just a business powerhouse; she's also a devoted mother and wife, making waves in both countries' economies. A fun tidbit? Sarah was one of my first online friends back in the Hi5 days, way before Facebook and my...

today we have the privilege of featuring Dr. Claire Murigande, a brilliant and multifaceted individual with a truly global perspective. Dr. Murigande, originally from Burundi and raised in Kenya, now resides in Switzerland, bringing with her a rich tapestry of multicultural and multilingual experiences. In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of names and identity, as I reflect on my...

We're joined by two extraordinary guests: Dominic Lawson, a multi-award-winning podcaster and entrepreneur with a passion for the Olympics, and Zenith Malawo, a soon-to-be podcaster and dedicated sports fan. Together with our host Raphael Harry, we'll explore the thrilling world of the Olympics and Paralympics, celebrating standout athletes, inspiring stories, and moments that transcend the world...

Rokhaya and I shall be on a panel at the 6th Afros and Audio Podcast Festival happening in Baltimore Oct 18-21. Use promo code rhy24afau to get yourself a 10% discount. Today, I sit down with the multifaceted Rokhaya Ndiaye—a seasoned voice acting coach, nomad entrepreneur, and CEO of "Rokaya Flow." In this episode, we'll delve into Rokhaya's remarkable journey, from meeting her husband in Jamaica...

Today we've got a jam-packed show as we dive deep into the world of the first Olympics round table with an all-star panel featuring Mimi Jacks, Dominic Lawson, and Weyu Hodge.  We'll discuss the thrilling 3-on-3 basketball game between the USA and Serbia, the dominance of the French judo team, and the unparalleled "black girl magic" in gymnastics. We'll also tackle the challenges facing sports lik...

We’re joined by the dynamic Tasia, who takes us on an inspiring journey from the world of music videos to the high-stakes arena of live TV events. Tasia shares her experiences working behind the scenes at monumental events like the Democratic National Convention and the Tony Awards, offering valuable insights into the meticulous planning and teamwork that makes live TV magic happen. We dive deep i...

Today, we're diving into something extra special – the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics! As the excitement builds, join me, Raphael Harry, as I share nostalgic memories from past Olympic Games that have captivated my heart since childhood. From the magic of watching the 1982 Los Angeles opening ceremony on VHS to the thrilling moments of the Barcelona '92 sprints and beyond, this episode rekindles my...

Today we've got an exciting and thought-provoking conversation lined up with crowd favorite Ashwin Goutham Gopi. In this episode, we wander through my diverse experiences—from my recent trip to Europe, including a humorous mix-up in a women’s store, to candid observations. We also delve into the dynamics of soccer fandom, sharing a lively journey through a soccer match in Germany, complete with a...

Join us as we explore Vlad’s captivating story, tracing his revolutionary beginnings in Romania, introspective days in Bermuda, and vibrant life in New York City. Born in Bucharest, Vlad’s childhood was painted with outdoor escapades and lofty dreams of becoming a Formula 1 driver. But his journey was far from typical. From hustling at his cousin's restaurant at age 14 to weathering the storm of t...

This was an incredible conversation with the amazing Paula Sima. We dove deep into her fascinating journey from Tanzania to the UK and Malaysia, exploring food, culture, and the beauty of embracing new environments. Paula shared her passion for hospitality, her vibrant family traditions, and the inspiring story behind her podcast, Talk Shit with P. We also had some fun moments reminiscing about ec...

I'm super excited to present an incredible conversation with the amazing Dominic Lawson, a multi award-winning podcaster, on the latest episode of "White Label American". Dominic takes us on a captivating journey from his humble beginnings in the Mar Terrace Projects of Memphis, Tennessee, to his well-deserved success as the host of "Black is America" and other highly acclaimed shows. In this epis...