The Power Of Community With Tumi

In this episode, we sit down with Tumi, founder of Sounds Of The Diaspora, a global creative collective exploring identity, community, and healing through art, music, and storytelling.

Tumi is not only a cultural organizer and DJ but also a graduate of Oxford and Harvard, where they studied psychology, linguistics, and education. Their journey spans music, mental health advocacy, and reimagining education systems, all while empowering underrepresented voices across borders.

We dive into:
 🎙 The origins of Sounds Of The Diaspora and building creative community
 🌍 Navigating identity as part of the African diaspora
 💡 Lessons on resilience, career redirection, and personal growth
 🎶 The role of music and storytelling in shaping social change

Whether you’re a creative professional, educator, or simply someone on a journey of personal and career development, this conversation is packed with insights on embracing uncertainty, finding purpose, and building community

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Transcript

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 Like, I actually felt like hopeless because my whole life, the way this like, I guess that's the bittersweet thing about education being almost the way out my whole life. Like that is how I've been given my gratification. You're good at school, you're great, whatever. It's like now I graduate from Oxford.

This can't be my peak. This can't be the best thing I ever do. Like what now? 

On Hope you do well. Hope you ask yourselves. Welcome to another episode of Student Guide. We are moving. Forward with season eight, which is wild to think, but we are moving fast. Uh, we're interviewing amazing people, discussing amazing topics and bringing you amazing conversations. Uh, we have another amazing guest with us today and you know, I absolutely hate introductions.

So instead, I'm gonna hand over to our amazing guest today. To me it's a pleasure to have you on the show. Could we please know a bit more about you and what. 

Yeah. Hi everyone. So my name is Tumi. Um, my pronouns are she, they Tumi, AMI.  And I do, I really struggle to answer this question  because I do a lot of random things.

Uh, they're not random, but they're very much like what? Um, I would say probably a good way to start is I'm a founder of a, a creative collective called Sounds of Diaspora. So, um, we do a lot of work around identity, community collective healing, um, exploring kind of social and political issues, using art, using events, pop-ups.

We actually were, we are a podcast. That's where we started. So that's kind of my baby. Um, I also work with Thinking Black, which is an incredible social, um, enterprise who supports equips, empowers young black. Uh, people around the uk. Um, so I'm a non-executive director, but I basically run around and do everything that is wanted and needed because I love thinking black.

Um, what else do I do? I'm a dj. I've got a set later tonight actually, so that's kind of more for fun. But I DJ and sometimes I do some music journalism. Um, and I also am kind of in the field of education, so I've just wrapped up my masters, um, at the Harvard Graduate School of Education studying education and human development.

Um, so yeah, I am very much a multi hyphenate, like freelance. I could, anything I get my hands on, but I love music. I love, I'm passionate about education and community and yeah. I do whatever I can get my hands on. Really. Yeah. 

That's incredible. And um, I think to touch on a few things, uh, firstly as you mentioned, uh, think in Black, uh, for anyone who's been on a huge supporter of us, uh, for a while you may recognize the name, think In Black, because Hope was on our Black History Month panel last year.

So, uh, if you haven't watched that, check that out. It'll be linked on one of these amazing corners of YouTube. Um, but yeah, check that out 'cause we'll be doing another black history panel, uh, this year. I'm gonna be honest, the episode, this episode might come out after that's happened, so if you've missed it, you can check out this year's one too Fair.

And you can also keep an eye out for next year's one as well. Um, but also it is, I love how you just dropped. I am just a graduate from Harvard as well. Yay.  

No Quest.  

Um, because that's incredible. Uh, you know, and also I guess like on a complete.  Um, obviously America's in an interesting place at the moment.

Uh, but yeah, that's an incredible achievement. Thank you. That you, you you've done. Um, and I think one final thing is I love how in typical like Nigerian fashion, we put the full, full name, full, full pronunciation, full name, uh, 

because yeah, we, to me, Mary  og, it's, some people know me as to me and other people will know me as Mary, so that's kind of fun.

Um, but to me, mainly go back to me now and yeah, man, you got another, the lineage. Shout out to the OG Dami lineage. You know, that's where I got came from, so, yeah, 

a hundred percent. Uh, we're gonna start things off with, uh, 44 questions. Yeah. Uh, brought to you by our amazing support of the podcast at Amanda from 44 words.

Uh, and we have, and I've got it up here. We have a whole list of incredible questions that Amanda has asked. Uh, and I think,  Ooh,  ooh.  H how, how, how many questions. I've got some that we've asked before and I think it'd be interesting to hear your,  your, your hit me with anything, man. Any, you don't me. I'm ready.

Um, okay, cool. I have two. Yeah. First one is, what's something that you don't know about yourself? 

Ooh, I like that. I like that a lot.  Ah, I wasn't expecting.  What's something you don't know about yourself? Oh,  okay.  I need to think about that. That's fine. What is something you don't know about yourself?  Oh, okay.

I've got a, a light funny one answer and I've got like a serious ish answer. My light, funny answer. Oh, it's actually not that light. It, it gets kind of dark, but like, okay. I don't know what time I was born. Mm-hmm.  And I dunno, my blood type, those are just really random. Okay. Like, I've been searching, right.

So my, my, you know, do you know red books that we have with the medical red books? Yeah. So like, that's supposed to have all your medical records that I went searching for it, trying to find it. Why is there a page ripped out? Like it's giving, I was swapped at birth if it wasn't for the fact that me and my siblings all have the exact same face.

I actually feel like there's a, there's a, um, plot going on because I've, I actually also live 10 minutes away from the hospital I was born in. Oh no. So I think I just need to walk in and be like, when was I born? But yeah, random fun fact. I dunno. When I was born, my mom didn't know when I asked her. Nobody seems to know.

And I'm like, why is everyone hiding this information? I need to know my star sign. I need to know my rising. So  that's just a random thing I actually don't know about myself that I'm trying to find out, which is kind of funny. Um, and then maybe on a more serious note, um,  I think, I don't know,  I think one thing that I don't know or is changing that I'm always trying to figure out is like,  maybe  I wanna say what I want out of life.

Like I do have some ideas of like maybe kind of general standard bait, like I want security. But  like we said in the beginning, 'cause I'm interested and wanna do so many different things,  like it's, I can see so many realities, like everything everywhere, all at once of like.  What would a happy, successful life look like for me?

Mm-hmm. Um, and I think I'm getting closer, but I still don't feel like Okay, you know, for some people it's like, okay, like a, my dream job or my dream world would be like being a producer, whatever. Like, I have so many dream scenarios. Mm-hmm. And I wanna, I think I'm gonna live a life where I do end up doing like multiple many things at once, but like, I don't know, I'm still,  I don't know if I should be locked into one thing, but yeah, it's, I'm still trying to figure that out.

I think I've come, like the last year actually being in America helped me realize and figure out a lot, to be honest. Like more than I ever had. And I think that was because I was like, I went alone. Like I went and I think this is a bit of a tangent, but I think it's important. Um, a lot of people when I came back asked me, like, I was just like, oh, how was it?

What do you think? Da da da. What's his big takeaways? And one consistent thing I kept saying to everyone. I think anybody who's gone abroad and moved away will. Relate or might relate is, um, there's such a beau. A big reason I left aside from everything else was I just needed to do some personal development and figure some stuff out.

There's a lot of trauma going on and going to a new country where nobody knows you on your own is a beautiful chance to discover who you are and what you want because you show up. However, there's nobody to tell you to like check you. Like I show up, I told them who I am. I do whatever. No, nobody could tell me otherwise.

You don't know me, you don't know my family. You don't know, like, you know what I give you. If realistically I could have come and made a whole new identity and just like start like completely lied or like made up who I was, but when you get to show up without any like.  Expectations and it's just you that is so revealing of actually who you are and who you want to be when you have that choice.

And when you try and do that in an environment or do that when it's like people know you, it's like if somebody's known you for 15 years and then you decide that like, okay, this is actually who I am and it doesn't align, it's like, whoa, you've changed, or like, whoa, like what's going on? But, so yeah. All of that to say, I dunno who, what the hell I want.

I dunno. Anything,  but I'm try to figure it out. 

Mm. That's really one.  

Yeah. Is he's saying the lighting. 

Nice. Okay.  Because yeah, I wasn't basically the last time I turned it on this, the lights were flickering. Really? So I'm like, if it's fixed, I'm good. Yeah. Um, oh yeah. Like that. That's why I'm like,  feel far so 

good. 

Okay.  Okay. 

Okay. That's nice. Yeah.  Do you want. We need to go again with the other stuff.  I think we can fine.

It's not that deep guys. Yeah. We transported guys into another dimension. You know,  the lights came on, the revelation was revealed. So,  

but yes. Yeah, that was a long wind answer. No, that was a perfect answer. Um, I was gonna ask you a second one, but I'm not gonna, like you answered that amazingly. Thank you.

Um, I think a few things I wanted to touch on was, I think that's an honest answer about like, not knowing what you want to do next. I think you don't have to like, limit yourself to  one career or like one thing. And I think the beauty, so sometimes people say it's like a young person thing, but I think it's like a beauty of just like being a person in general is, uh, like I'm reading a book.

I always recommend it to be, I think, um, I dunno if I recommend it to you. Uh, atomic Habits, uh, oh, 

I'm, I'm reading that 

as well. I was saying, um, so there is a chap,  but I'm early in two chapters in there. Okay. I record. It is a good read. Is a good read. Yeah. I'm literally reading it now. Um, and what I've, like one of the chapters later on talks about like this whole idea about like genetics when it comes to, um. 

Like, I guess like doing stuff. So he talks about, I know Michael Phelps is one of them, I'm not gonna lie, I don't remember the other person, but he talks about these two, uh, Olympians and he's just like, look, one of them is like world class. Uh, so Michael Phelps, world class swimmer, he's won more Olympic medals, which is wild.

But he's won more Olympic medals than in his sport. Like he's won the most medals, but also across all Olympic sports. He's won the most medals. Yeah. Crazy. Which is wild to pick And what's wild people said, like it's not, people said he's won all medals than some countries. Yeah. Crazy. Crazy. Which is crazy.

Um, but he, so, so he's obviously world cast swimmer. There was this other person who does like long distance running. So he does like mile runs, five Ks, all of this stuff. And the interesting thing between like both of them is he was saying that it's really interesting that, you know. Their genetics play a huge part.

So Michael Phelps, I think he said he's a fish. He's basically, he's basically a fish. He's got like long 

body, like I saw some people were like, he should compete.  He's way too, he's way too genetically like advanced. Yeah. But 

people, but literally, like we said, like the way his body, like is built helps him so much in his sport.

Uh, and with this runner, he said it was the same thing. So I think the runner, he said he has a longer torso, but shorter legs. Mm. Um, and he basically said like, what's interesting about it is if you swap the sports that they compete in, they'd actually not even qualify for the Olympics. Mm. Because they both wouldn't do really well.

Mm. And he basically was saying in the book that like, essentially, not that you can't, 'cause I think he was saying like, there's this whole idea that like, you can do anything that you want. And he was just like, I'm gonna be honest with you. You, it's not that you can't do anything, but he was just like, there are environments that if you put yourselves in, you know that those are the environments that you do really well.

Mm-hmm. Like me, I know I'm not a coder, so if you are coming to me and just like, Jeffrey, I've got this code, I'm trying to build this app, I couldn't help, you know, I could learn about it. I might be able to eventually get to a stage where I could do something. Okay. But I'm not gonna be great at it. But you know, if you're asking for like, public speaking or you know, advice on like video ads and stuff like that, that's my back.

So he was saying like, your environment really helps you to figure out that. So I think, like you said, there's like being understanding that like as your environment changes, as you grow up and you like go to different areas, try different things, you will develop that like area that you are really good at.

Um, yeah. So, yeah. Um, and then the second thing I was gonna say is, um, so yeah, so you say you dunno what, so, so we can't expect you to be DJing at a pick up the mic event that Yeah, you can. Okay. Yeah, no, that  

it's weird 'cause even though I said I like, even though I don't know what.  I will end up, or like the big,  I have had some revelations.

Mm. I wanna be a, I wanna work for myself. Mm. Don't work for no one. I get that. Um,  I want a DJ for fun. Mm-hmm. I realize I don't want DJ as a career. Mm. So yeah, I'll do it. I'll do it for vibes, but I don't want that to be my career. Yeah. Um, so I found out some truths that are getting me closer there, but I think it's a lifelong pursuit. 

A hundred percent. I don't think anybody figures out, I think even the people who've been doing something for 40 years, they don't know that that's what they want. That's just all they've ever known. And that's fine. It still can be Right. But like. I don't, I think now I don't  necessarily like see it as like an answer that I need to find.

That has been very liberating. Oh, incredible. Yeah. 

Yeah. Thank you so much. We're gonna go into the first official question of the episode. What was that? This  is all the prelude. Okay. This is why we, into  all the detail we find out more about you. Uh, so we're gonna start off with essentially looking at your educational journey.

So your works, you've mentioned that you have a wide number of titles that you carry,  but your work spans storytelling. Mental health, but most importantly reimagining education. 

Mm-hmm. 

Mm-hmm. So how did your journey, 'cause we, you didn't mention this at the start, I'm gonna do it for you 'cause I'm here to, you know, be a mc and shout out about our amazing guest speakers.

Uh, 'cause you're also an Oxford grad. 

I am, yes. So 

how did your journey from Oxford and Harvard lead to you fo lead to you to focus on these intersections between storytelling, mental health and reimagining education? 

Yeah, so all of it starts before Oxford or Harvard actually. And I think those were just spaces or vehicles to get closer to where I am today.

Um, but yes, my undergrad was in psychology, philosophy and linguistics at Oxford, um, which I started during the pandemic and  I think  everything before, I mean, my upbringing really. It is so direct plays such a big role in like, everything I do. I, I often, I look at my work and I realize it's, most of it is a love letter to my younger self.

Um, yeah, I grew up in a place I grew up in, uh, wre and I grew up in Harringay, north London. And like  a lot of my surroundings or the things I saw were there was just a lot of struggle, like whether that's due to poverty, whether that's mental, uh, mental illness, violence, like whatever it is, I just  watched or at least experienced like,  I don't know, just like, like the norm was just people struggling and suffering.

And I think that shaped my worldview deeply to be deeply interested in like social justice issues or, um, mental health because I also, my own mental health and people in my family, my loved ones, I grew up with a. Of mental illness around me and experiencing myself. And I just saw how damaging it was. Um, I grew up with a lot of violence around me in experience and it was just like, how, how do we get out of this?

And it was interesting when I went through my own personal journey of like figuring things out. I did all the internal work or the therapy or the whatever, um, that, you know, my men, like my interest in psychology, it, it did come directly probably from like, also people from day one. I've been interested in people but like trying to like figure out some of these problems.

And after I did all the internal stuff and searching, I just kind of got to a point where I was like, it's actually just the things around me. Like I can, I can do everything I want and process all this trauma, but like if I'm still poor or if people like you can have somebody go do years of therapy, but if they still can't pay their rent, if they still can't, I don't know, like have the language or get a job, like it doesn't matter.

You're still gonna be struggling. Um. So, you know, I started leaning and learning into thinking about human development and yeah, like how, like opportunities, um, when I was growing up, people were always like, ah, you're gonna be a lawyer, you're gonna be like Prime Minister, you're gonna do like politics.

And I, I've always been interested in that. Mm-hmm. But I quickly realized those systems are broken and not necessarily ones I think I can work with. Not to say the education, the psych research systems are because they are, we've come to learn more and more. But, um, you know, psychology, I was like an English lit girly.

Like, I loved English, I loved writing, I love books. I love stories. I was, I used to walk around with like piles of 10 books that dead ass. Um, and like,  I always loved that, but I liked science too. So psychology was a nice middle ground of like, okay, this is about people. But it's also about science and like, you know, how can we, yeah, how can we navigate it?

So psychology kind of was always gonna be the case, but I knew I didn't wanna do straight psychology because the way my brain worked, my function is super like, well I got a DHD, but also just like interdisciplinary. So I knew I wanted to do it with something. So when I was applying I was like, okay. Um, I always loved literature.

I didn't know what linguistics was before I actually applied. But like one of my friend Greg shouted, Greg sat next to me in my psychology class, was like a big linguistics nerd. And I was like, what is that? He would just tell me all these cool things and bits. 

And 

I was like, wait, I love this. 'cause it's just, every time I tell people I study linguistics, they're like, oh, what languages do you speak?

And it's like, no. Like I studied the science of language itself and the power that words have and stories. So that kind of goes to storytelling, communication. Like always read books. A lot of actually my like.  Honestly, like my morals and like a lot of the things about me, I learned from books. Mm. I was a Percy Jackson kid.

I grew up with Percy Jackson down. Like, I, I like, even though it was fiction mm-hmm. A lot of the ways I went to see the world came from that. Mm. And that's a problem too, because some of the idealistic things, like, I actually was like, like, I will get back to that. But like, yeah. That, so stories were always really important.

And language I found from like, books like, you know, George 1984, this really great book called Vox by Christina Dcha. Mm-hmm. About like this world where like women could only say a hundred words. Oh wow. Like they have a, a thing on their wrist and then after it, like electric shocks them and it was great.

Dystopian. I love dystopian fictions,  all of this to say. Um, I just saw the power of books, stories and words, um, and research I grew more and more interested in. And I actually got involved in my first youth participatory action research project at 17. Wow. In year 12. So it all just kind of happened around me, people.

And finally like that was the first time someone was like, to me. What is your experience with the education system? How does it, does it support your mental health? Meanwhile, I'm here fighting for my life, like, not being, feeling like margin. Like my experience of school before sixth form was bad. Like my head teacher, me had beef, like I was high achieving, but they also thought I was trouble because I asked questions, I taught back.

So  all of this, um, just pushed me to feel like, okay, like I think I, and I was a high achiever. Mm. So I was like, I have the ability to do something. Mm-hmm. Like, and I would, that's the one place I'm getting is gratification. Like, wow, you do so well in school. Wow. You're so smart. Like you can, you can do something.

Mm-hmm. You know, education did give me the sense of power where, or agency where I didn't have it in the rest of my life. I couldn't do anything about. My financial situation. I mean, I could, I worked from like 15. I tried my best. I couldn't really do much like to help my parents like I wanted to. So education was the way, it was like, I'm being Nigerian.

And that background is like, okay, so parents are immigrants. They come to the country, get a good education, you become rich and you save your parents. Typical story. Do you know what I mean? So  I also went to a sixth form that was very much like, it was, it was a state sixth form, but it was selective. Like you had to get a, so they very much pushed like Oxbridge.

And I was always like,  why not me? Like if anyone, why not me? That's been my mentality from Day Doc. So I applied and I was like, let me just try it. Let me see. I wanted to just see, I always wanted to prove I could do it. I can't lie. I, I am a bit of a, like, I like being the best. Yeah. So I just wanted to show that I could do it.

Um, so when I actually got in, I was like, I actually was not gonna go. I was gonna reject it and go to Warwick. Wow. Because I was scared that I would have no friends because there wouldn't be black people and that I wouldn't fit in. And like already going from school in with Green to like my sixth form, which is eventually, it's not that deep, but it was a bit more, I was like, like the more I've gone through education, the white coat it's got, and I've just been like,  ah, you don't relate to me, don't understand me.

So, um, I wasn't gonna go, I was really feeling really nervous about it. 

Mm-hmm. 

But also my parents were just so happy. I was like, I'm gonna try, I'm gonna make it work. And then COVID hit and I was like, what the heck? Went to Oxford was like one of two black people in my entire college. Wow. Um,  and yeah, Oxford was a, an experience,  but when I was at Oxford,  um,  I think I  got to really, really get like.

Super into this idea of like, I don't know, language and thought was really like a big focus of mine. So metacognition and like, does the way we think affect the way we speak? Does the way we speak affect the way we think? And I had these incredible tutors and I got into real beautiful conversations about culture, and I think I got to do the more cross-cultural, global, um, education.

Especially not in linguistics. You get, you are looking at Welsh, you're looking at like. I don't know, like Croatian and all these different languages and like learning how to decipher them. So I think my background in linguistics really helped me think a bit more globally. Mm-hmm. And growing up in London, it's very multicultural.

Like I grew up around like, Albanians, bear, Turkish people, Polish people like Jamaican people. So again, my time there, I ironically, despite being so like predominantly white, but like most of my friends were, like, my brother would always say my friends would look like an airport. Like I, yeah, he'd always take the piss.

Um, help me think more internationally. And that's really like a lot of my ethos, like global like now. 

Mm-hmm. 

Psychology really sharpened up my research skills. I did work in the baby lab. Um, I got to do, continue to do work with that research. When I was 17, I started doing more like, uh, de-colonial work. I started doing stuff like.

Um, you know, mini presentations. Like I just started getting a bit more confident, um, with doing that sort of work.  And yeah, but it was also really like my time when I was at Oxford. My, in my personal life was really, really, I was going through a lot. So it was, it was very hard. It was very hard being a minority.

It was very hard  being in this beautiful fairytale looking place and like, literally like my internal world looked nothing or felt nothing like my external world. But, um, I grew in confidence. I grew, nothing will ever be as rigorous as what I'm thinking. Like that's actually been ever since nothing has ever been as rigorous.

So in a way, I will say it set me up for everything else to feel a bit like,  not easy, easier, just because it's like, yeah, like I was given free essays and a problem sheet. And like more a week, like, and when I found out my friends were doing an essay a month, I was so pissed. I was so pissed. I was like, what the hell?

Because I was doing a joint degree as well. So that, that was, yeah, that was rough, man. Yeah, Oxford was Oxford and then I had a less than a year off and that was dark. 

I'm 

not gonna lie. Like  nobody, or not enough I think maybe more than these days, but like, I wish people spoke more about how hard that transition is.

Post degree. Mm-hmm. It is hard. Like I had just graduated in Oxford and I felt like a, like a bum. 

Like 

I actually felt like hopeless because my whole life, the way this like, I guess that's the bittersweet thing about education being almost the way out my whole life. Like that is how I've been given my gratification.

You're good at school, you're great, whatever. It's like now I've graduated from Oxford. This can't be my peak, this can't be the best thing I ever do. Like what now? And I, that, that what I was saying about not knowing that was even more potent then. So when I, and I didn't, everyone else moved back home to their family and their parents being a young carer.

Um, at that time I just lost my mom. Like I moved to be independent straight away and look after my like severely like, um, troubled siblings. So I've, I always say I got drop kicked into adulthood  and  I had no sense of what I really wanted to do, and I didn't really feel like I had the guidance either. So I got, I really struggled.

Um, and everyone's like, oh my God, you're so talented and everyone's gonna want to give you a job. But no, actually the market and like, it just was a really tough time. I was really struggling. Um, that's when I started DJing, which was beautiful. So there's actually a lot I discovered in that time, but it was hard.

Um,  and funnily enough with Harvard like. When I was applying for Harvard, I always tell everyone, that was the only masters I applied for. I did do one for NYU, but, but not had n NYU U man. I didn't want them anyway.  But aside from NYU,  Harvard was like, I, like I'd applied for Harvard. Yeah.  Kind of wanna win.

Okay. But like I admire, I was trying to be an a RI was trying to go into the music industry, so I'd signed up for the Sony a r uh, program. I'd also, um, did the 10 K Black intern Scheme. Sorry guys, because I was supposed to be a art. Um, I was supposed to be a people and culture intern at art agency and I dropped out last minute to go to Harvard.

But come on guys. Come on. And, um.  Yeah, everything else was not a master's and it wasn't in the US and it wasn't, but for one reason or other, everything else just didn't work out. Like, whether it was like I was gonna go into like recruitment and like literally I got to the final stage and I, I didn't know what it was in my body and like, I literally was like violently Ill, like, before my interview and I didn't go and I didn't reschedule it and I was like, it's like almost like a sign.

I dunno, because it was, it would've been a good paying job like for the time. But like something in my gut, I feel like I'm not a nine to five babe. I don't want to work like in a normal str, I just actually don't desire that. 

Um,  

a and I, I got to like the final kind of group and I didn't get it and I was devastated even though they were gonna be paying me pennies.

And it, it was actually, let me not speak too much of how big brands. Use interns, but cha anyways. Yeah. Um, you know, everything else wasn't making the, the art thing was about to land. I'd actually like signed a contract and everything. Oh.  But then I was with Hope Thinking Black and like got the offer from Harvard and was like, yo, I didn't even really think this was gonna happen.

I know. I didn't think it was gonna happen. 'cause when they said, now run me to my a hundred KI said, wow, a hundred KI don't even have one KI don't even have one point 0.1 K. Like,  so this, um, and this is probably the crux of things, like it's everything in between Oxford and Harvard. So that period between getting in, this was about January 20, 24.

Mm-hmm. 

2024 

and going June, 2024. Mm-hmm. I had basically,  well maybe even March, I had basically two months to find a hundred k.  And they gave me small, small stipend, less than a quarter of the cost. Mm-hmm. And you have to, the thing about it's, you have to have that in your account all at once, like ready to go before you can even get your visa and everything.

So basically what that led to was a campaign. Mm-hmm. Like I did a whole fundraising initiative. I had to go bare my, my life out on the internet and started like, that's what it sounds, DPO kind of bloomed as well into in person stuff because start trying events, whatever. But that period, that was really hard.

Like, you know, as a Nigerian, we don't like asking for help or at least me, I don't like, like my family, it's hard to ask for help or to feel like, you know,  it felt like I was begging. I actually feel like  I know the description is probably a bit too, I just felt like I had my, I was on the street, like, please help me.

But anyway, point being, um,  I, in that two months, the support I got. Was insane and, and we were all waiting for like a big stormy to drop a bag or like that never happened. What happened was like 400 people 

wow. 

Gave between, you know, one pound, five pound, 10, like what they could, people who I know don't even have really the means to be given my community, bro.

My boyfriend, my first ever boyfriend from when I was like fourteen's mom had donated or like my friend that I thought, well, my old friend of me, like people were coming out of the woodworks that I just never expect a stranger to this day that, I don't know, donated. K. Like it was crazy and like I like that experience of support and then the creative things I had to do to facilitate it, that was life changing almost more than the degree because that was like, wow, one, I'm a community organizer, two like.

Community is everything. Mm. Like there's people, the way the, the words people were sharing, the way other people are inspired to a point where like now, two years, a year later, I've been able to help like six students, black British girls, black rich people do the same sort of thing. And they're now literally, they just started at Harvard.

Wow. At like summer at Hugs. E some are at different Harvard schools, like the Legacy it's now created as well. And they've, and they, they smashed my fundraising girls. I was like so proud, but all of it to say like it was all the struggle of the journey in between. It's the same with Oxford. It was like when I was feeling alone, isolated, when I was struggling, it was all the things in between all the people who unexpected be showed up for me all of the times I had to push myself.

It was all of those things being a student, but like being a student was always like. I had like 16 million things going on. And being a student was almost a side hustle. And that's what is the reality for like so many people like me where it's like, you're a student but you're a young carer and you are, you know, you are, you've got a million things that you're going through.

Mm-hmm. You can't even put yourself really fully into your education. So also Harvard was almost a redemption for me as well because during Oxford I was going through so much. I got my, my good, great, I got my two one and I whatever. But it still didn't feel good enough. And like, so when I went to Harvard and I actually had the chance to like do that and pour into it and I still went through a lot, that was like so healing for me.

And then also the fact that I was be able to create that ricochet community change. Um, and all the people I met along the way and all their incredible stories, care, leavers, estranged people, all like the horrible things people went through and are still like leading in their fields. Those are the things, the people in their stories and like.

Those inspire me. Um, I don't remember what the question was. No,  

man. You answered, that was perfect. Um, I didn't know what the 

question was. 

I, I, I've got a lot to say and I know time is going, but, so I'm gonna ask the most important thing. Go on. Uh, wow. I have, I have two, two questions. Cool. It's not one of these, but it's basically on, you said question number one, big, massive Percy.

I'm a Percy Jackson. Oh, I love Percy Jackson. The, uh, if you, who's your favorite character and if you were to be in that universe Oh, who would you wanna be? A child. 

Oh, which Greek 

God. 

Okay. Uh,  I always,  I like Nico.  Misunderstood little Nico. And you know  what? When he came out, like in that like, like, I don't even know what year it was.

That was the first time a character like that was probably one of the first times I've seen like a, like a queer character. I was, my mind was, I remember being like. 40. I don't know how old I was under the covers. Like what? Nico's cake. Crazy. That's why he hates Annabelle. Uh, Annabeth. Annabeth. Um, I like Nico.

I had a crush on Leo Valdez. That was my like literary crush. Um, I also mess with,  yeah, I must with all of them. I mean, I liked who I liked Hazel as well. Hazel and Leo. It's been a while. And then back then I thought I was a child of,  Hmm. Okay. I thought I, I've always gonna be like an Artemis hunter,  but then like, I'm not gonna lie, the whole like swearing off men for life.

I hear it, but I dunno if I hear it.  I think I'm a bit too needy for that, so maybe not. Uh, but she's cool. I think Artemis is cool. Like her and Apollo, Artemis and Apollo. To be honest now, Apollo probably makes sense. Mm-hmm. Back then I thought I was either Artemis Athena, which makes sense. Like I see myself in Anna and Annabeth as well.

Um. I think it'd be cool to be a, a daughter of Hades as well. Just 'cause like he's just cool, like deaf and everything  these days. Apollo probably makes sense of like music and stuff. That's right. Um,  yeah. Yeah. 

Okay. 

And then my second question, what about you though? Who's me? Which  favorite character? It's gotta be main Mc Percy.

Really? Yeah. I'm a Percy fan. I think it's 'cause look, I'm a Spider-Man fan at heart and Percy reminds me of Spiderman. The same energy. Yeah, just like goofy. 

Yeah. 

They know like when, when like, uh, someone says the the time, you know, like not to mess with Spider-Man if it's spider, if you find Spider-Man and this man is not dropping any jokes and he's dead serious.

Yeah, true. He's like, he's just like, I'm throwing hands and no, no conversation. That's the time you run. You apologize. Yeah. You forget crime. Uh, and it's the same with Percy. Percy. True. He's goofy. He loves to joke around and so you mess out a be  there, 

you are done. Have you watched the Disney Plus show?

It's really good. I watched the first few episodes. Obviously it's made for like young people, which is like. I hear, I'm guess I'm not that young anymore, but they did good. Yay. They did good. The second scene is coming out. This is it. I need to, I need to watch it December this year, but I don't know. Logan Leman was a perfect casting.

I get it. I don't think anyone could take a lie. Like Logan Leman is Percy Jackson. I, yeah, they, 

they allegedly, there was a rumor that they were going, or people wanted him to be, to come back to the show, but I don't, I don't know. Like this, I don't know it. That would be cool. Like, that would 

be cool if he's like, I don't know, like a future person or he's like.

Just that one little, yeah. But Rick Wood did his ting. I also read like Crank Cane Chronicles. Same. And what's the other one? Oh,  the Nordic one. I tried. Yeah. It's, it's all right. Yeah. Like I didn't really, I liked Cane Chronicles though. Can, yeah.  Yeah. Probably making more Birds Jackson books? No. Are 

I, yeah.

Wait, I think 

I'm, I finished like Heroes of Olympus. Oh 

no, I'm behind. Oh. So there was, they've got five, so he's got five books all on the track. So basically there's one where Apollo basically, um, is turned into a human crazy, and it's basically on his journey. He has to prove himself to Zeus that he deserves to be a God.

Zeus is such a bad man and not a good bad man. A bad, bad man. That man is the problem every time, honestly, him. And is not 

keeping it in his pants, honestly. But, um,  but then also he's got, uh, another book. Uh, so he's got a book, like a continuation of Percy Jackson, but it's post, uh, heroes of Olympus and, um.

The, what is that? Magnus Chase. So both the North Yeah. About 

Magnus 

Chase and the like, here's Olympic Star. No, 

because I guess they overlap timelines. 

Yeah. So it's all about like when they're at college. So Annabeth is at the Roman University and she's, yo, I need to read that. It's good. I read the first one.

It's, it's more like one off adventures, but it's with the original three. So like, uh,  I think one release last year. Wow. Uh, but yeah, I did, it's funny 'cause I wasn't expecting to go into like, 

I think actually where I was in Harvard. I think Rick Rodden is like based in Boston. Yes. Someone was telling me.

Yeah. And apparently he used to do so I was like, oh my gosh.  Um, yeah, I'm a big fan. I'd actually wanna meet him. He, he, I like. Yeah, that was really a big part of my childhood. Yeah, you 

could look, this is 

Rick Warden. I love you. 

You could, you could come here in the next se you could be in the next season. A few.

I know. 

Remember if I go back to visit 

Harvard Yeah. I'll, I'll let him know. Yeah, a hundred percent. My second question is based off of one of my, I never got to meet this person, which was sad, but one of my favorite people in the world, which is Stan Lee. Oh yeah. And Stanley Lee, uh, was on this person's podcast on name, uh, Marvel has not been the same without one.

It actually hasn't, you know, it's fallen off 

of it. Yeah. Um, but he basically did, he was on this one's podcast and he was talking about his favorite word, and his favorite word was the F word. And he said the reason why is, 'cause he said, it's just like, it's, it's, you said it's a noun, it's an adjective.

It's a verb. Like it was just like, it can be used for like so many things and the tone you use it in reflects like, yeah, that's a funny what the sentence is. And he said like, if there was one word that he would add to the English language and it would be commonplace, it would be that. So my question to you is, do you have a favorite word?

Oh, that's 

pretty good. 

Um.  Or do you have a word that isn't necessarily an English dictionary that you would say should, like if you, if you were in charge of languages, uh, like English language, you could put a word and say, this is officially a word that's coming in. Um, yeah.  

What would be your word? Oh, that's a good  question. 

I'm, I'm, um hmm.  That's hard.  

We, I can come back to it. 

Yeah. 

Come back to it. Okay. 

I didn't even think about it. 'cause I'm like, there's a lot of 

words.  There's 

a lot of words. There's a lot of 

words. 

And they already kind of exist. I'm trying to think of some slang. I,  there's some slang words that, like, British and, like British slang has become more salient to me now that I've been away.

Mm.  Like I've come back, I'm like, why did we sound like this? I didn't, you, you don't know what we sound like. We sound so British. Like, maybe not us specifically. Sure. But like.  I came back, I was like, this is what we sound like. We sound goofy as hell. This is how they, this is how they hear us. We sound  like we sound like we're eating crumpets and all that.

Fucking, I don't know. Anyway, um, all of that to say though, I love London's Lang. I think some London's Lang is just like, I love some British like shade as well. Like oh, bless her,  but like, bless her doesn't mean a good thing. Oh, bless her. Could be good. It could be bad. And I say that a lot. Um, yeah, maybe come back to me, but I think it's gonna be like a British shady, like British shady slang sort of slang.

Okay. Yeah. Where we like trying to be polite, but it actually doesn't mean anything good. It means bad things.  

Yeah. My, the one comment I'll say about you spoke about a lot, and there is one thing that I do wanna touch on is, which you said about like the study of languages, because I think that is, linguistics is an interesting subject because I saw someone talking about on Instagram that they find it's interesting that even algorithms are potentially changing how, like languages, like the way languages are used, so obviously, and.

I mean, I guess I need to be careful 'cause I'm uploading this to YouTube and I don't want this to be blocked. But they were saying essentially like, what, so if someone's on Instagram and they wanna talk about, let's say like, you know, sensitive topics, like maybe like suicide or death, that essentially they can't say that on Instagram.

So they said that they, that people then went around and were starting to use like unlive and stuff like that? Yes, yes, yes. That's interesting. And then they said that, apparently, so I guess  so like people within like TikTok and Metro, not onto us, they were just like, okay. So people are still trying to, they've now come with a new word around it.

And then they said there's like a new word that's now being used. And like he was basically saying like, it's really interesting to see that how like, because the algorithm's just like, oh, certain stuff will be blocked if they mention, you know, X, Y, Z,  it's. Affects how colloquially we then discuss this topic on social media.

Um, because as soon as you use certain words, it's like, boom. Like the video's blocked, or like, oh, you know, people flagging your account. It's like something to be concerned about. 

Mm-hmm. Um, 

so yeah, it's really interesting to see that, that like even on like a, like social media stage, the way that language is also ultimately affected or changed is really, is really interesting.

Absolutely. 

Um, I have two things that makes me think of one is what, one of them I wrote about my personal statement. Mm. Language is so powerful. Mm. Um,  one being like, um, with what you were saying is really interesting. So a lot of my work going forward and this last year has been about grief. I'm really, really interested.

I've become kind of like  obsessive death sounds crazy, but like leaning into thinking about it, talking about exploring it more. 'cause it's been so, I actually got a tattoo. Like one of my, I don't know where it is actually, I got a tattoo that, like  my friend, he hates it. Okay. I'll show you later. But it's basically a little grim reaper.

Did you ever watch um, Billy Handies? Oh, so good. I love animation in adult animation cartoons. That's segue. But, um, I'm really into death right now and you know, if you talk about death, you talk about grief, you're gonna probably have to say words like death and grief and maybe suicide and X, Y, Z. So it's interesting that like actually by flagging those words content or like making the algorithm, you are even like pouring into that taboo of like, so why can't we need to like, okay,  suicide happens and it is a triggering thing, but we, it doesn't mean we don't talk about it.

And if you're censoring people's access to information or spaces to speak about it as well, that's a problem. So that's quite interesting and you see it very much happening with. Like, you know, people can't even say the word Palestine.  Like, I don't even know if you keep that in here. Like without content being like, kind of crazy.

So, but the creative ways people use watermelon emojis and whatever it is. Like, it's interesting how it affects our ability to adapt and like how we generate new language and ways to communicate. But it's also like the power systems. 

And 

a good example is, this was like in my personal statement, there's this, uh, really cool book called The Ling, the Linguistic Cabinet of Curiosities.

Mm. 

And it's basically what, um, this book, it's like a dictionary of words that no longer exist for whatever reasons. So one word is bae  and basse, uh, comes from the French origins of the word to kiss. Mm. Um, and it used to be in the English language, but it was basically eroded or like got rid of like removed from dictionaries.

People told during the plague back in, whenever the plague was in England, uh, to try and stop the spread of sickness. 

Oh. It's really interesting. 

Wow. Right. Yeah. But like.  Really interesting, really cool about her as a mechanism. I don't know if it'll really work. Mm-hmm. But like a step away from 1984 where it's like, you know, you take away language of like revolution or like actually to stand up and these concepts actually, and if you look at like be forgotten, if you look at a lot of research and like, this is a field I'm super interested in, like language and thought of like  the way the language we have access to does affect how we think.

There's loads of classic examples. People usually hear about the Eskimos having a million words of snows. Or like, there's this, um, tribe called the Hopi and how they, um, conceptualize time or like, um. You know, some languages don't have words for like certain colors. And how does that mean they see color?

Like it's very, very, very powerful and people take it for granted 

because 

it's just the standard thing that most of us have access to. Um, but when you now learn and think about how you can manipulate language or how people do, you're like, wow, they have been brainwashing us our whole lives. Um, so I think we, there's a lot of, a lot of the work that I do and that we're doing, like I, I want people to think a bit more about reclaiming language.

And language is really in this power structure is a power struggle. Sorry, is a really important place of tool.  Oh, exploration. Wonderful. 

Yeah. Uh, I have also seen the, the time.  I've also seen the time, uh, I'm during the conversation, but I also know that this room may be booked after us. So, uh, I'm just like, uh, I, I'll also keep, I, like I told you, I'm a yapper, so I also need to bite down on my own tongue, but we need to talk about all the work you're doing.

Yes. You've mentioned sounds of diaspora. That's what the next question is all about. Nice. You blend music, movement and creative reflection in what you do. Mm-hmm. Uh, you've kind of touched, if you feel like you've answered this question or any of the other ones, feel free and I can move on. What inspired you to start it is the first part, but I think the second part is probably the most important one, which you haven't touched on yet.

And I know this from talking to you about it, but how does it connect people across borders? 

Yeah.  Oh, that sounds, that's right. So it started, like I was saying earlier, I started COVID. Oh, I didn't start COVID. I had nothing to do with that red.  I, I take that back.  I started my undergrad in Oxford during COVID.

Um, and it was because of my situation. I was on campus and it was pretty much abandoned, so it was really lonely time. And I had all these things and conversations to think about about music and identity, but I then, I was just very isolated. So it started as a podcast and a way to connect to people and think about identity.

Um, and it was just asking my friends and people around me. So that was kind of the origins, and I never really imagined it to become what it is today. Um, so it started this need for connection, loneliness, but really it started with this feeling of being in between and being in a liminal space of being.

Mm-hmm. Too black to be British and too British to be Nigerian and kind of like my cultural identity. But then I was like, wait, even just growing up as a black girl in green and being kind of a nerd and that not really fitting in with my blackness and just this, like I don't fit in. I'm, I'm like multiple things.

Feeling and finding out that loads of other people resonate. Um, in terms of connecting people across borders. One thing that was really beautiful was like the, it was really great to like come in with my fundraising mission because I was like. I kind of try to show people why I wanna go to the US and do these masters, the things I wanna do.

Even through that, I got them to think about and explore their liminality and their stuff. And then when I went to the US I knew I wanted to do stuff there with San Diaspora. Um, but I couldn't imagine just how much I would do and I would find a whole team. Um, and also in Puerto Rico as well. So when I went to my masters, I was like, I knew I wanted to throw a festival or throw an event and I like just kind of by chance or by different beautiful ways, these people are like my really good friends now.

I found individuals who  whatever shape, form different stages of their life, like have experienced this in between this. Mm-hmm. Um, shout out to like the US team, that's Malika, Marco, j Jada, Ian Ellan, Kayan to mention a few, all the people who supported us. 

Mm-hmm. 

They are all people who have like.  I don't know, lived somewhere, had to move somewhere else.

Mm-hmm. Like one yen is Chinese, but grew up in Singapore. Super international. Spoke about how that feels. Marcos, the army, army brat. So he is Puerto Rican already. There's so much mixed heritage, so we are all very different. Mm-hmm. We are different ages, we are different backgrounds, different everything.

But Sounds Diaspora was this thing that brought us together. 'cause we all cared about advocacy, we all cared about creativity. Um, and it was beautiful there. We threw like 10 plus events. We did charity events, we did um, movement based things. And that was one thing that they really helped me move, pour into more.

We did, uh, things with young people, we did things with older people. We did prison abolition work, trans resistance, like every, we did so many things. Mm-hmm. And um,  now that I'm back, we're still operating across the specific ocean. We actually had a meeting yesterday, we had to find a time zone that works with Singapore, Boston, and London.

And for anyone wondering what that is, it's uh, 1:00 PM London, 8:00 PM Singapore, and like 8:00 AM Boston. So, you know, that's how, you know, we're dedicated. But, um, working across borders is like, it's so beautiful to find that. Like I went to the US and I saw people who had the really the same experience as me or even to Puerto Rico.

The same things. And it's like, there is so much like. We are in a time in the world where differences are really tearing people apart clearly, um, in so many facets. But there's so many things that we really want. Like we are the same.  Mm. We, we grew up in completely different parts of the globe, but we are the same.

Mm. 

And um, I really searched for those things in the human experience that are like the through lines. And I think there's just, I don't know, a lot of connection and joy. When we throw our festival, we ask people to remind them what makes them think of home. And we find six, like 16 different dumplings from different countries, but they're all dumplings.

You know what I mean? So yeah, there's just the beauty of drawing from different backgrounds, experiences, it helped me rethink, um, my, my biases as well, my predispositions. Um,  and yeah, it's just exciting. It's just exciting to, and also have to adapt your work to different environments or contexts because when you've just got kind of one context that you keep responding to. 

You might feel quite comfortable in how you're doing things, but I think the sort of work we wanna do that is global and expansive, has to be very, like, it has to be very flexible and adaptive and culturally responsive. So, um, really got to practice that a bit during my time and a half. Incredible. 

Uh, and that kind of links to our mic check a fact figure related to the conversation of today, and according to the British Council from a survey that they did in 2023, uh, 70% of young people in the UK believe learning about different cultures and identities can improve social cohesion and mental wellbeing.

And I think that's really key to, based on what you, you know, you just shared there, like, it's great that you like sounds of diaspora isn't just like,  like, I guess what I'm trying to say is like we said, that it's international in the sense like through the work that you're doing, but also through the team that's doing the work.

Mm-hmm. Because I think sometimes, and like you said, like whether it's because like, I don't know, like you might have an organization and you might not have people in the like.  You might support a certain group of people, but you might not be from that group of people, so you don't necessarily know the best way to support them.

But when you have like that big, like, like, like  I know like diversity sometimes for some people feels like a buzzword, but like when you have a mixed group of people from different walks of life, from different cultures, from different backgrounds, um.  But like talking about their journey, that's really key.

And even like you said, like some people might be thinking, oh, Jeffrey's saying like, for example, like, oh, like if I was to run a business and we were gonna do something and like, let's say the team is all Nigerian and we were doing stuff in Nigeria, you know, that's bad. And I'm saying no. 'cause even like, like you said, like we are both Nigerian, both grew up in London.

Um, but we both have different lived experiences. Mm. And it's when you accept people from different lived experiences, you then like see like, I don't know, there's like, there's a beauty that comes from the work that like, of having people who aren't the same, I don't know, like same background, same schools, same.

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.  Part of London. Mm-hmm. Uh, you know, and I think that's really key. 

And one thing you said, I don't think she coined it, but Adrian Marie Brown is incredible activist. But in general, a big theme is the quote, nothing about us,  nothing about us,  nothing about us without us is for us, nothing about us without us is for us.

Mm 

mm 

You know?  Any problem we're trying to solve any work you're doing. If the people who are the subject of it aren't a part of it, from the get go to the finish when it's about them, if it doesn't involve them, then it's not really for us. And that's a real bit philosophy. Our 

philosophy I believe in No, a hundred percent.

Yeah. Um, we're gonna go on. Actually, no, not, I was about to say to the next question that is not true. We are going on to treasure talks. Uh, to me has brought, uh, a, a piece, an item that's a significance to her. I have no clue what it is. This is my honest. Reaction to it. So could I know what it is and how it's significant to you?

Yeah, I know this just looks like my keys and it is my keys, but what we are looking at specifically is this little thing, which is a USB stick. Ah, okay.  And, um, I got my little Black Panther,  uh, charm as well. But, um, this, I was thinking about this when you asked me this, and I, oh, there's so much I can say.

This is my USB stick that has all my songs that I DJ with. So I really don't wanna lose this because I have so many good mixes on that and I need to back it up. But, you know, most DJs you'll see we carry around USB sticks to play our music. But this is significant for a couple reasons. So my friend asked me the other day, what is your first memory of like, being like truly into music?

And I was like, I do not remember a time that I never was, but back in the days before we had YouTube, like, like YouTube was there, but it wasn't like just streaming platforms, whatever. I remember the way I used to listen to music on my little brick phone is you, you go to YouTube MP free download. You download it and then that's how you do it back in the days.

Back in the days. And that's basically what most DJs do. I'm not gonna lie. Same thing. So I thought it was kind of cool how like my first like ways that I would interact with music is to this day, what allows me to DJ facilitate that vibe. 

Mm-hmm. 

Also, another fun story is, I think it was this exact USB stick.

I lost it once or I left it somewhere in a pub or something like that. And I don't remember how, I think I was calling up to try and find it and then somebody was like, like they found it and then they were like, oh, like this is a vibe. Like all this music, like they were listening to my music. Wow. When I went, it was just really cool.

We had a really nice conversation. I was like, how cool is that? That like, it's kind of weird, but how cool is it that like they were playing all my music, but um.  The la Another thing is just the fact that like there are thousands of songs in here and they play, they tell so many stories and so many reasons I've downloaded them and I'm just kind of carrying them around in this little piece of metal.

But like there are so many stories. Mm-hmm. So many sets and those sets are like experiences. People, I remember dancing all in this little like, I don't know, metal thing. And music is my language. Like music is, there's very few things I'm sure of, but one thing I'm sure of is that music is like.  A real crux of like me, my passions, what I do.

So always just kind of having this music on me. And even if I just pull up sometimes in those decks, I can just stick the same, like it's just, I don't know, music is never gonna be detached from my work. Um, and it's connected me with so many different people. So, and tonight it will do the same, but, um, 

you've got less now, I guess.

Yeah, I will. But yeah, just music like, and also technology, it's kind of cool that like I still am actually quite interested in technology and doing stuff with tech. So like the fact that we've got to a point where it's like, I don't need to be holding like a million vinyls or vinyl, sorry, and whatever's kind of beautiful how things have developed.

But yeah, thought I been my USB stick because it's got all my music in it. 

Thank you. That's wonderful. Yeah. Um, the next question  is about how do you think exploring our roots, our identity can influence mental health and personal growth particularly? Or students and young creatives. 

Yeah. It's, it's, it's so important.

Mm. Um, this is talking, thinking black and sounds Ds, but like  what? Like, history. I liked history. I don't wanna learn about dead white men. Mm-hmm. I'm sorry. I don't care. 

Mm-hmm. Like, 

no offense, but like,  just like  education.  I like so many people who are like white British, get to go and learn about like, people, ancestors, history that  are theirs.

And like,  like going through the education system and realizing like all of these topics, these like thingies, these conversations, they're not about me. Mm. It makes me not wanna be involved. It makes me not wanna learn. Like it makes me the touch. One thing that was really powerful about thinking Black, and I talk about it all the time.

'cause it was really important when I, I was a student on the program seven something like years ago, and my essay I wrote was about why did the Tottenham riots not turn into a revolution? Mm-hmm. I grew up in, with Green Tottenham. I remember exactly why I was during those riots. I was in a kid zone hiding.

Like, it was crazy. But like, that was like writing about something that happened to me that I lived through, that related to me, that spoke to my local area. I felt seen. Mm. And like in a world where, like, particularly when I was young and growing up, I think it's getting better now. I would never felt seen, I was never represented on TV shows.

And if it was, it was the like. The angry black best friend, and even then she was never dark-skinned. 

Mm-hmm. 

You know, and media and like, whatever. Like, I grew up as a, as a black British girl, as a dark-skinned black British girl. I grew up never feeling seen. Mm-hmm. Never feeling reflected. And that really, really affected my mental health, my self-confidence, my sense of being.

And I think education, we spend so much time in. 

Mm. We 

spend most of our time at school. We spend most of our, we spend years in education. If you go at least up to like year 11,  that shapes who you are during your developmental period. So if the, what you are consuming, and this is like so radicalizing, it's so like, you know, if what you're consuming doesn't reflect you, it isn't responsive, then you're being brainwashed.

Mm. And you're not gonna be able to have the critical. And then when you now finally wanna come back and like,  you know, decolonize your mind or whatever, what happens in your developmental period is so perfect. Like it takes years to undo. It's 'cause it's your truth, it's who you are. So like. Yeah, now everybody's doing, my generation most are trying to undo that work.

Mm. And all of the energy and time it even takes to undo that work. Whilst being a marginalized person trying to navigate the world, it's stressful. People are getting chronically ill, they're getting mentally ill. Like I wish and dream of a world where like from the get go, everyone, this isn't just black students.

Everybody can have that feeling of like, I feel seen by the words I'm reading. I feel reflected, I feel honored because that's how we truly get to be liberated and have choice and do what we want to do and feel like we matter as well. 

A hundred percent. Yeah. 

Um,  

yeah man, you keep going. Perfect answer.  I don't need to add anymore.

Uh, I might need to swap roles and, uh, let you take over as hosts. Um, but we've come to the final question before we get to, um, passing the mic where you'll get to ask me as many questions as you interrogate. Yeah.  Cool.  I, I've never heard someone describe it as interrogate. You know what, um, um, I'm a bit nervous now.

I'm a bit nervous. Alright.  But looking ahead, what's one change you'd like to see in how communities connect and share their stories globally? 

Mm. 

And it can be in any way, whether it's digitally, whether it's conversationally, whether it's, um,  through a specific medium like art. 

Yeah. I think the, regardless of,  regardless of the medium, the community, the culture, I think we have a real problem with  like why, when we're in an argument or conversation or dialogue or whatever. 

Listening to understand. Mm-hmm. Like or just like the purpose, like intentional listening. 

Mm, mm-hmm. 

I think we are in a dire drought of where you actually coming to someone whether they agree with you or disagree with you. 

Mm-hmm. 

And you are open-minded to like having your mind change slash you actually want to hear what they wanna say.

This is very pertinent in this black British, black American rubbish that I've seen a lot of like recently and experienced that like navigating is like, and I understand for so many people why not? Because when you're so threatened and you're trying to like maintain who you are and you've always been kind of marginalized, there is this feeling of like, whenever you're debating, arguing, talking, someone needing to defend something that's always been attacked.

But I do think like people don't listen. People go into arguments or go into conversations trying to convince the other person at that point, and you are supposed to do that. But like being open to change. I love when somebody can change my mind. 

I 

really love when somebody can like, make me rethink how I think.

I think that's. Wow. If you can do that, then you are, you are, you are having a really great point. So I think we should just kind of be a bit more open-minded. It is kind of rich. Like there is a level of like,  how can you tell me to be open-minded when my communities are being X, Y, Z? Like, I'm not saying there's like, like  this is actually a good question.

Like there was a debate about should we reason with the enemy? Like how, who am I to tell somebody to like be open-minded to the person they margin who marginalized them? But  that open-mindedness doesn't mean you relinquish your power control or even that you have to like betray your values. Mm. It just puts you in a space where you can actually listen and you can actually take in what somebody is saying and you can take what you wanna take and leave what you wanna leave.

You can leave everything. But I just wish people were a bit more open. And I think that comes from empathy. 

Mm-hmm. I think 

we're in a bit of an empathy drought. 

Mm-hmm. 

But that being said, maybe I'm being unfair because I do think the younger generation is gearing up to be way more like.  Global citizens.

I'm thinking about this collect, like if somebody's suffering anywhere in the world, that is still my responsibility. So  I'd like to see more empathy,  maybe some more scaffolding as well. Sometimes people need support in having conversations. Like it's very hard to have these and like, not everyone is just gonna be like able to, I find it like I do it a lot, but it's not, not everyone feels like they even can.

Um, so maybe we just need more people like to facilitate and support, like having conversations across differences as well.  Yeah. 

Thank you. Um, well that's it from me.  So over to you. Uh, let's passing the mic. Let me know what question or questions you would like to ask me. Okay. 

I didn't pray anything, but I have one already that's come to mind.

Nice. Um, so when you're in school 

Yes.  

Can you remember any teachers or lessons that really stuck with you, changed your life the way you think? Tell us about one. 

Uh, I don't even know the last time I spoke about her. So a lot of people get surprised by my, uh, choices for A Levels. 'cause they are, I like them 'cause all subjects I liked, but there was no like career path with them.

So it was real, uh, honestly, like, so I did drama. Oh, history and physics. Fun. I  sense. So, yeah. So people were just like, what, what hell, what, what's going on? Like, what are you trying to do at uni? Um, and I was just like, I like all three subjects. Like, let's see what goes. So, uh, well I haven't seen her for a long time and if she, I dunno if she even seen this, but, um, shout out to her, my drama teachers, uh, Mrs.

Tyro and then, um, Nigerian leader? No, she married a Nigerian though. Oh, good for her.  Good for her or not good for her to be honest. But that's, that's another conversation. Oh, but Mrs. Tyro and Ms. Mislead, so Ms. Leader was, um, my drama teacher when I joined my school, so my school.  Uh, a bit of context is, uh, and this is my school's main claim to fame.

Well, then I'm not sure about now they seem to be doing quite well, so maybe they have others, but, uh, did you ever watch Mi High? 

I love MI High. That was at your school? Yeah. So basically 

the school, 

how you talk about that, like last week? Yeah. I love MI High. So 

the school, so basically my school was built on top of that school.

Uh, so what happened was the school apparently got really rough. Uh, and then they brought it down, built my school, which is an academy. Oh. But they kept the, one of our science block is the original, like building that was there. See when they filmed Does it actually have the lift that goes into the basement?

Nah. Fake. It would be nice. So, yeah, that cool. Yeah. Um, but yeah, no, so, uh, so when I joined, my school only went up to year seven, so like yeah, Nunu, so like, no sixth form.  Interesting. So you were 

the first form. Yeah. Yeah. 

And like now people find it, like people that go to that school, like people that I know who've asked me about like, 'cause they wanna apply there, I tell them.

Yeah. And they get really surprised. It's got like, it's got primary school, it's now got the second, well it has a secondary school all the way up to year 11. It's got a sixth form. They've built a school in Enfield that literally did the same thing. They now have a primary school, the Enfield one. So yeah.

So it was very much like grown over like the last, I mean, I left there,  gosh.  Yeah, almost times a lot. Eight years ago. Yeah. Damn. Uh, yeah. Um, but yeah, no. So essentially, so Ms. Le joined, so she joined, we didn't have a drama department before, so she joined when I joined. Um, and she would teach drama in English and uh, I like did our school play.

It was really great. She was really supportive. Um, my funny story with it is that, uh, so, uh, I'm living in my school, so a bit of context is my school was in Barnet. I lived in Camden. So when, uh, so we did all the rehearsal stuff, all that stuff, yada, yada. Yeah. Uh, we did bugs and alone I played fizzy, uh, which was fun.

Um, but the main context with that is because, so the school, so the school day finished at like four, and then we had to be back ideally by 6, 6 30. 'cause then where the play would start by like seven. So all of that stuff, I was like, well, I can't, my school, I didn't know this, but I was like, I can't stay at school because like. 

What would I be doing? But the school closes, like, you know, by five. So I couldn't stay at school. And at the time, like none of my friends lived near the school. So like the people I was going home with, most of the time they, or the people who I did know who lived near the school weren't in the play. So I was like, cool, I might as well just like head home.

So I headed home on the first night and then I was told my family like, look, I can only stay for a bit. Eat, and then we need to go. Lo and behold, we're on our way there. We get stuck in traffic. Long story short, the reason why this context is vital is because, uh, she, she didn't hold it against my family or me, but  Macina got stressed because it was coming to the point where like, the plane needs to start and I'm stuck on the bus because there's loads of traffic.

So I was in, was it a TT one? No, it was, um, the 1, 3, 4. Oh yeah.  So we, so we were stuck in Highgate. Oh. And like my dad, so my dad said, get outta the car, get on the bus, see if the, because the bus can go on the bus lane. He was like, it be quicker. So I get on the bus, get on the bus lane. I'm driving, obviously I'm getting like called by like people that I know that are in the play.

They're just like, where are you? And I was like, look, I'm trying to get there.  So long story short, I got there in time. I literally had to run, so I was gonna run down the road. But then my dad pulled up and he was like, get in the car. So I jumped in the car with my family, drove all the way down. Uh, and then so basically I get to the school, I literally run in.

I don't even like my stuff. My family keep, I literally run in run backstage. 'cause I'm literally, because if it was one of those one where I'm not in until like later they were like, oh yeah, cool, we'll just start without you. But I'm like one of the first people on stage. Yeah. Love day. So they were just like, yeah, no, you need to like, so I see I literally ran in and then the next day she was just like, yeah, you just stay at school.

Like, that's cool. I look after you. And then, yeah, ever since then, like I kept on doing drama. I love drama as a subject. It was really fun. I did it for GCSEs. Nice. Uh, then Ms. Tao joined, I think when I was either in year eight or nine. Great drama teacher as well. Um, so yeah, those two especially. Uh, I also need to shout out, 'cause this was my Nigerian teacher when I was at, uh, what was that?

My secondary school. Um, miss and Quatra. Uh, she now she's now known as Miss Jose. But, uh, she's my Nigerian too. She was my English teacher in year seven. Really fun, really good vibes. Obviously. Like she's my Nigeria and my parents are my Nigeria. So my dad was just vibing on her. We were vibing with her and my, well my dad and my mom were vibing and then just like, oh yeah, you know.

As a Nigerian, you know, you know, he needs to do well at school. And he's me just thinking like, oh gosh, like his parents even. Yeah. Yeah. But I'm like that my parents were funny 'cause um, I don't think Miss um,  knows this, so  she can't hold it against me now. And then she watches this. I'm so sorry, but there was, I don't remember why, but maybe there was a day where I was supposed to do homework and I genuinely either forgot or like didn't do it.

And I was like, yeah, I didn't do it. I'm so sorry. And this is just like, cool, you, you know, you're gonna have to have detention, whatever. And I was like, oh, great. You know, if my parents find out, it's gonna be a whole thing. So, I'm so sorry that you have to find out like this, but I basically like lied.

'cause the day bef the day before was Nigeria Independence Day. Oh. So I was like, ah. She was just like, why didn't you do it? I was like, ah, you know what? It was just Nigeria Independence Day. I was helping my parents. She was like, really what you do? I was like, yeah, I help my dad cook. To be fair, I do help him cook and I did at the time, but like, I generally forgot.

So I just like was lying. She doesn't know that. But she brought that today. And then, my God, miss Jose,  my final teacher would be, um, my physics teacher called Mr. Tulley. So he knew, or he like, knew Ms. Leader. He, a lot of the teachers knew at my school that I did drama as well. So this was in A levels and I didn't know what I wanted to do at uni.

I was like, yeah, when they were just like, pick subjects, I was like,  I couldn't tell you what I wanted to do. And also, again, like I said, I think 'cause I wouldn't, like, I'm not telling anyone what to do when it comes to A Levels, but I, my biggest thing was. I didn't wanna do like subjects just because it would get me to a degree.

I was like, I'd rather just do three subjects, even if they're random that I like, and then find something that works. Yeah. Rather than like limiting myself to one. Yeah. Um, so, so she knew like she knew him and like they spoke to each other about me. Uh, and I was just like, I so, so  she, I don't even know how we ended up talking about like what I wanted to do at uni.

'cause I was like, I know for a fact like my parents would not want me to just do drama at uni. But I think also I was like, I like drama, but I was just like, I don't know if I want, like, I want that to be my career. I was, I love acting. I love doing comedies. It's so fun. Uh, making people laugh is always good.

Um, and I was like, I dunno if I want to go. 'cause I was just like, I'd rather, and I think also, like you said, like you see that there are people that get into acting, but they never went to acting school. Yeah. Or they get acting later in life. And I was like. I know acting is always something that I could get into, but I was like, I want to do, I don't know what I want to do, like when I get to uni.

Yeah. So I was like, ah, I'm in nar and I spoke to my physics teacher 'cause, so I was doing physics and I was just like, you know what I really do like, it's like, I like this whole like, sustainability aspect and like figuring out like sustain, like how can we be more sustainable? He was telling me, like at the time, I dunno if they're still doing it, but Japan was like researching how to make nuclear waste sustain, uh, re um, it's renewable but it's not sustainable because the waste basically has to get dumped, buried underground, not dumped.

So buried underground in like a concrete like container so it doesn't like spill out. Um, but, but Japan were looking to make it sustainable so we could use the waste to basically produce more stuff because fossil fuels are bad for the environment. Um, other sustainable energy sources don't produce as much energy as fossil fuels.

So I was like, this is an interesting area. And he was like, well, have you thought about like looking for like. A subject in that. And I was like, I mean, I don't know. And he was just like, well, do you think geography? And I was like, I didn't study it, but I don't know. And then he was just like, have you heard of environmental sciences?

And I was like, well what's that? And he was like, oh, well, you know, it's looking at how the environment like impacts us, but how we impact the environment. It's a very much like a broad subject. So then I remember like, I don't even know if he remembers this, but like we sat down after I think like, uh, a lesson and like went through,  like we went through like the subject and he was like, oh, you know, Bruno offers it.

Queen Mary offers it. You could maybe do an environmental management course as well. Uh, and I was like, cool, like let's explore. Um, but yeah, those three especially 'cause. Uh, mislead I say to this day, or like even doing drama as a whole, like I say, it's the reason why I'm like good at public speaking. A lot of people think that like, some of the stuff I do is like rehearsed.

I say for the most part, I don't write scripts. I don't like it. I prefer doing improvisation. Yeah, 

same. 

Um, and like that was one of the things that drama taught me a lot was how to be good at improvisation. And just like, you know, if you get given something, whether it's like you get asked to do a video, a podcast episode, um, um, you can just do stuff like on the spot.

So I would say like that was, uh, so Miss Jose and Miss s Misleader taught me that, oh, not miss, uh, Tyler, Mrs. Tyler. And, um, Ms. Leader taught me that a lot. Uh, I would say Miss Jose was just like a really like chill teacher. And I think like, I guess I'm not at a stage where I'm. And I had like, I'm the same age, which is wild.

'cause when I think about teachers, I'm like, oh yeah, teachers, I like, they so old. But they're actually young. They're actually young. Like even, I went back to my secondary school maybe two or three years ago and it was wild. So Ms. De was there and we were talking, and then there were people that were like in year 11 or year 12.

And they were just like, oh, you know, like, so they, there was a different drama teacher there and then  was just like, oh, Jeffrey was my drama. Like studied. And like he, he was a student here. And then the drama teacher was the same age as me. Crazy. And I was like, that's wild. 'cause like when I'm here teachers, I'm still thinking like teacher when I was at school.

But I'm like, no, I'm the same age as like people going into education. So I think, yeah. And then finally, like Mr. Toley, I say like, I wouldn't, I wouldn't, I wouldn't have done environmental science or even done my masters if it wasn't for like his. His like having that chat with me? No. Um, 'cause I was thinking like my career path has changed many times.

Originally, like you said, I was thinking about going into politics and maybe going to be like Prime Minister, but I personally said I don't, like, I got to a stage where I realized that it doesn't matter, like don't need that stress. Yeah. During his stress. I know we've also had a long conversation about like politics as well.

Um, but yeah, for me it was just ultimately realizing that like you can't,  like I think you are, you are limited sometimes by like your party. Yeah. And I've seen that like we're getting to a stage where organizations can do sometimes and that's what I got to, I was just like, organizations can do more than like what a political party maybe do I agree?

Um, and some people get surprised by that. Like there was someone at my old workplace when they were just like, oh, like. You know, no, you could, I could really see you in politics. And I was just like, yeah, I thought about it at one time, but like afterwards I was like, no, no. And they're just like, no, you still good.

But this day I'm like, no. Like we pick up the mic. I'm not, my hands aren't tied. I can talk. You can stay true to your values and emotion as well. Exactly. A hundred percent. Um, so yeah, so I, I say that like if I didn't, like if, if, um, yeah, and then also I wanted to do like nanotechnology and biotech. Uh, again, that was funnily enough based off a book they were talking about like clones and I was really into that.

Have you 

ever read Itch Rocks? No. Used 

To Rocks, 

right. 

Read that. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Uh, but yeah, I was interested in that. Uh, and then obviously, uh, seems to you I I'm a nerd too, so comic books Iron Man, of course. So I was just like, ah. Is that your favorite man? He's one my favorite Spider Spiderman's my go two guy.

Oh, very f he's, he's gonna be, he's uh, he's a bit funny 'cause as I mentioned in one of the previous episodes I was wearing a Superman top, but the Superman film was, uh, pretty good. I recommend if I'm watching it. Yeah. I let see it. 

Yeah, it's good. It's quite a nice, 

nice warm message. Okay, 

cool. 

Tell people. 

Let, lemme not go into a mark. Yeah.  Um, but yeah, no, that would, those would be like the teachers that like really impacted me. That's beautiful. Um, yeah. Especially from, if we're talking about school, those, like, I wouldn't have done, I wouldn't have done the subjects that I did, I wouldn't have gone to Bruno if I didn't  like if, if it wasn't the best support.

So yeah. I 

love that. Shout out to teachers. Teachers can change lives. Hundred percent. Everyone, most people I speak to has a teacher that really changed their lives. Mm-hmm. Also. Okay. Do I have time for one more question? Go ahead.  This is generic. This gets asked a lot, but I'm ask again.  Well, this, there's this and then there's a follow up.

Okay. What do you think your younger self, and you can pick whatever age you can be like a, maybe not a baby, but like  what do you think they needed to,  to thrive to get to where? Yeah. What do you think they needed?  Like  I know that's pretty broad, but like Yeah,  no, I get it. I think, I think. 

I 

think that, and it could be something you got, okay.

That you did receive. It doesn't have to be something you didn't get. 

Um,  I would say,  I don't know. I'd say like definitely,  oh, I need to think about this. Mm-hmm. Ooh. Um,  needed to thrive.  I would say it was probably like  the stuff that I went through is the reason why I so like, obviously like there's some stuff that I probably in the moment wasn't grateful for or like didn't want to go through, but like I look back on it and I'm like,  I don't know if I would be doing what I'm doing today if I didn't go through it.

Mm. Or I wouldn't be the person that I would like I am today. So like, I think a lot of people get surprised, like some people think that I'm a lot older than I actually am, and they're just like still my love, honestly. And they're just, oh, you're so mature. You're so my, this and that. Still my like. I've just, I'm just traumatized,  literally.

Like, I'm not mature, I'm just traumatized, but we'll take it and this, and I think like, I don't know, I just look back on life and I'm just like, I don't know. I don't know where, like, I don't know who I would be if I didn't go through like stuff I went through. Yeah. And even like, it was interesting 'cause like, I guess like in full transparency, like, um, like some, some people, and it's interesting, like you said about like the way you talk or the way you act or carry yourself, people come with their like perceptions of bias, of who you are.

So like, some people think based on the way that I talk, like I either, like you said, went to Oxford or Cambridge. People thought that I went, when I was in secondary school, people thought I went to a private school. Um, even to this day, like people were surprised that like I was on free school meals  and I was like, yeah, no.

I was like, I've just, I just don't like. I don't let that stuff, like, there's also, 

there's not one way of that looks as a person.  

A hundred percent. And I think for me it's just like people get surprised if they're just like, oh my days, I didn't know this about you. And I'm just like, oh yeah, no. Like I've, I've seen like stuff, but I just like, if you, like, if people, and people, I tell people to know more, like I'm more than happy to talk about it.

But um, yeah, I just tell people like, it's, it's, my main thing is like, I don't have to fit any definitions. Even like you said, like people thinking, oh, just 'cause like, and this is what I mean by like,  teenagers are the worst. 

Teenagers are so bad mind because they don't realize like the consequence of their words and actions.

So they're really mean. Sometimes you're really 

mean. And it was just like, people would be like, oh, you are, you're like a bounty, you're a co. 'cause you don't talk in slang, you don't like, I don't like let my trousers drop till they're falling off and all this stuff. And I was like, no. Like I just, I just don't talk like that because that's just not me.

And for me to like put it on like just seems that's worse. That is worse. Um, so yeah, I was just like. I don't know. And I think it's one of those things where like, and I guess if you are a teenager listening, like it's hard. My biggest thing is yeah, a hundred percent. It's, it's rough. It's actually 

very hard.

But I would say like, just be you and like you'll be surprised. 'cause that's what I feel was the biggest thing about it. And it was interesting 'cause I saw someone, and this I've, no, I've never said, but I saw someone say, uh, on LinkedIn, he was talking about his own journey with his business and he said when he was 18, he, he ran like this, uh, like clothes selling business.

And he basically said like he his secondary school friends, so when he was 18 he launched it and he was asking his friends to support and they all turned around and like were laughing at him, mocking him for this and was just like, you're doing fashion, all this and that. And I think it resonated with me.

'cause outside to pick up the mic, I also run a creative platform called New Generation. Uh, the name will change. I know I've been saying that, but we're working on it and there's an update on that. So I'll probably do a post about that at some point. But, um. Um, yeah, the, so I run something called New Generation, and when it started, it was a part of a uni project that I had to do based on improving sustainability, either my local area at my university or doing like campaigns and stuff like that.

So the first thing I did was I did a fashion show at Brune, uh, and I message, like, my sisters were part of fashion societies when they were doing their masters, so they were just like, oh, we know people that like, we're in group chats and you can just message with people that we know and stuff like that.

And I was like, cool. They were happy to take part. So the biggest thing was then like doing outreach and I was like, oh, I'll chat. I'll message my uni friends to see if they're free. But you know, like it was my first year of uni, I was like, I don't really know these people. Let me message like, some people that I know from secondary school.

And it was the same thing, like, people just like, oh, like they were just like, oh, this is kind of like random, this is kind of weird. Some of them were just like, oh, are you doing this to like, get girls or like, bring girls and stuff like this? And then to me I was just like, yeah, I'm kind of done. Um, and I left it and I was like, I'm good.

And. Yeah, so that first event went really well. Like people enjoyed it, it was good. Uh, and then the second one, I guess like we said, like my biggest thing that surprises people a lot is I tell people like, if someone annoys me, like obviously it's annoying in the moment, I might moan and stuff, but my, I just love proving people wrong.

Um, so, so the second one I was like, cool, we are going like all in. So we did. So we did a, so we did, um, we didn't, so the main issue is we did it at Brune. And the issue with doing stuff at Brune is just like transport. It's hard to get there if the transport's not working. Like, and we, I don't think I was allowed to charge people tickets, so I was like, I can't even  make, yeah.

And so people were just like, yeah, I'm so sorry I couldn't come. And like whoever came, came and we had a good time. So the second one was in Camden, so I was like, I'm gonna do in Central, I'm gonna like do it bigger. So we had a panel discussion, we had a fashion show. We worked with some people to do DJing.

We had some photographers had more models, all of this stuff. Um, we got people from. So like literally I met someone through a, uh, an event at my uni and I was like, Hey, I'm like, I loved your talk and this is really last minute, but I'm doing an event in like a couple of weeks time. Do you wanna be on the panel?

He was like, yeah, sure. You had someone I reached out to Water aid, they recommended someone from water aid who was interested. Um,  I'm not gonna lie, I didn't actually remember who the other two  were. That, and that also was, yeah, in three years we. Damn 10 years ago, which is wild time. Time is flying. But yeah, but literally like with that, it was literally just doing, like doing that event was like, great.

And then it was interesting. So when I posted about it, and I think someone so like, there was a, like someone from secondary school who was like, uh, I was close with her and she had a, a birthday party. And like I saw some people from secondary school there. He was just like, oh yeah, I saw this like, fashion thing you're doing, man.

They're like, this looks really sick. And I was like, yeah, man. Like it's great. Like I love doing it. It's fun. I get to meet cool people. So even I would pick up the mic people sometimes, like, and I think it's that, it's just like, I would say if you're listening and you're, and I know someone from my church, he, he's like at second, like, he's just like done.

He's done there. He has finished his day levels. He's got his results. He's going to city, uh, which I'm very proud of and he's proud of too. I know he was saying like he, he was running a business. Well, he's running a business, I should say. And like I know you was saying it's like secondary school friends were like, kind of rinsing him and it's the age old story.

A hundred percent. But I told him, like, I was like, oh man, you just gotta, you 

don't let it not 

care. 

Like, because they won't be hating when you are successful. And it isn't about them, it's about you a hundred percent. And the people that you actually want to touch. That's, that's the same, it's the same, same with rappers.

Mm. You think like Stormy wasn't getting clouded, he's not a good example. You, you think some of your favorite rappers weren't getting clowned a 

hundred percent. Some of 

your favorite like, you know, people like it is a bit of a thing. Mm. I don't wanna say it's uk, but it's a bit of the uk. No, 

but I think it's also 'cause like, I think some, so we, not necessarily related to like this, but I was talking to someone at my workplace and we were talking about how, uh, so I, I do a, I do a workshop called The Art of Networking.

We were talking about like networking, how to network with people effectively, all of that stuff. And I, in that workshop I mentioned there's uh, someone.  As a part of our, like the department, I mean we do a lot of like networking with members that we support or like with our community on site. And one thing that she mentioned was she said like networking does have like a cultural element to it.

And I was like 110% it does because in like for example, America is not like saying that  any American's watching this isn't me insulting you, this is me saying like culturally this is something that I would say the UK could take from you. It's like only when it comes to achievements. So Americans are very much proud about sharing their a hundred percent bro.

They  are happy to like shout from the rooftops and be like, you know, I'm doing X, Y, and Z. And it seems less 

like we are supposed to be quote unquote modest  than humble, where that's not really the case. You talk your thing and you learn. I learned to do that because if you are gonna be all shy and humble, everyone else is talking that shit. 

So it's your, I 

completely 

agree a hundred percent. Completely 

agree. Even the person was saying, uh, so like. When it comes to networking, I talk about, like, for example, I like culturally know that like if there's a conversation I like if let's say someone's two people having a conversation, I wanna talk to one of them, I will let them finish or let them bring me to the conversation.

Yeah. Yeah. Whereas for some people, they're like, no. Like, Hey, I'm just going to jump in and my phone. And I'm just like, yeah, no, that's just like, to me that's like incredibly rude 'cause 

Yeah. But it's cultural, but it's a cultural thing. It's cultural. So a hundred 

percent I I, and like I tell people, so yeah, all of that to basically say like, if you are like a teenager or even if you're in uni, um, and you wanna start a business, like they, I saw an Instagram video on it and it, I think it's true.

They basically said, uh, it says.  It is cringe until it's not. Facts. Um, facts, facts, facts, facts, facts, facts. Whether you wanna do, uh, videography, a video like a YouTube channel, all that stuff. Like it's cringe until it's not. 

Everyone starts in the cringe. I just only cringe if you let it be. Mm. And I actually doesn't have cringes a social construct.

Think about it, I cringe. I'm like, yeah, I had to get rid of like, cringing at myself. You really do like,  like people, no matter how, even if you are really cool, like even it's not about the quality of your work ever. Usually it's not about the quality of your work, it is just people not being able to like. 

Take themselves away from this idea of like somebody I don't, sometimes it's honestly, I say jealousy in the sense of like jealousy that somebody else can't dream as openly as you are. Like a lot of the time it's like, ah, I wish I could put myself as vulnerably as you could, but because I can't, I need to bring you down a notch a hundred percent so I can feel a bit better about myself and Okay is, yeah, it's a big, it's a big problem.

Me, for example, if it wasn't for cringe, I would be a sick rapper by now. But that's one cringe. I'm not gonna get over. I can't go through like that, the curve that is that there, they're gonna roast me, they're gonna erase me. So I'm gonna keep, keep my distracts to myself.  Um, but yeah, this is, uh, any other questions?

Sorry, I blank. No, that was interesting. I figured, I learned, I like Yeah. A lot about you. I mean, I guess you kinda answered what my follow up was gonna be, what you just said is that, what would you say then to that, to your younger self? No, a 

hundred percent. 

Okay. Let's do a fun one to end, uh, question wise. 

Hmm. Oh, we have to bring into music and songs. We talk about this in general. Um, you know, sounds of diaspora. What is the sound of your journey? Then? Let's just spoke, let's, let's zero in on your journey as founder. Pick up the mic director, all of the organizations. If you had to pick a song, I know it's hard.

I know each other maybe was, see now this is a revenge, um, to think of your journey as an entrepreneur. Yeah.  What maybe a song if that's too hard a genre, an artist. 

Can I pick three? 

Yeah, go on. Okay. Three is my lucky number. 

Let's do it. Um, and then tell us why,  uh, three songs, um, that encompass my journey.

Pick up the mic. Um, 

I think one would be from this, uh, artist called Forrest Frank. He has this, uh, song called Always Better, and it's basically, uh, reflects like.  So basically the song is all about like, essentially from a, like I'm Christian, I get this context. So it's all about essentially like him, this chorus goes and I get like,  I can't get Prince if I sing it, but I said, did we not just say we are Bullishing cr?

Yeah.  So it goes like,  more than ever you put my heart back together.  I saw so to my head just to find out.  So for me it's a real remote. Thank you very much. Thank you. Okay, welcome.  Like, people may have seen me wearing like a shirt with it, like saying You are way better. And it's like a reminder to me that like, essentially like I don't need to have everything figured out.

Like I'm just trusting God and like, like things will happen. And like, I think for me, that's what I've realized across the last four years to pick up the mic. Like, um, and even long term, like in my school journey, so like a lot of people don't know that like. Oh yeah, there was a preacher that said it and it got me thinking.

I was like, he was saying like essentially like people think, like have an emphasis on like joy, uh, sorry, on happiness rather than joy as this like angle.  Mm. And he was saying happiness, but nobody knows what that looks like, honestly. And he was saying like, happiness is this thing that like, you know, based on a circumstance, that's why you're happy.

So it's a very impromptu, it's not a feeling that lasts and it's a feeling that sometimes you can just end up like always wanting to chase. Yeah. But you said joy is something that's like, I don't know, like you might be going out somewhere and then it's pouring with rain, but you're like laughing and smiling the little things sometimes.

Yeah, and it's, and yeah, and that stuck with me. So I would say that, and that song really encompasses that. And then my final one would be his other song, which, uh. This was when I found out this TV show was coming out. I was so excited. 'cause this was one of my favorite childhood books. I've read all the books up to date even after like as an adult when they continued writing it.

'cause the author went back, uh, Alex Ryder. Oh yeah.  Um, so they did a TV show. Oh. And Sam Henshaw, uh, wow. It's, his song is in it. It's called The World Is Mine. And to me. Every time I listen to that song, it makes me feel like I'm a spy.  Oh, that's cool. So yeah, so I would say if you haven't listened to it, definitely recommend.

But yeah, those would be my three songs. Nice. 

I like that. I like that a lot. Yeah. Check out The World is Mine and the Well, I know the Indiana Jokes Well,  that's cool. I love it. Music tells a million stories, words, the feelings it evokes the memory the places brings us back to. So thank you 

for sharing.

You're very welcome. Um, we're gonna go into the last segment, uh, second last segment before we go into the takeaway. Uh, and second last segment is of course our Mc of the month. Our Mc of the month. Today, the UK organization called Diaspora Dialogues uk. They're an organization dedicated to fostering conversations, events, and creative projects that celebrate diaspora, heritage, build, cross commu, uh, cross cultural, sorry.

Understanding and empower young people to tell their stories. Their work clearly links with the incredible stuff that you're doing with Sounds and diaspora. And, you know, for anyone who is watching or listening who's interested in, you know, a sense of belonging, community. Building an identity, uh, you know, check them out.

But obviously, of course, your first stop should be, uh, sounds of diaspora. Uh, but yeah, that's it for me. Before we go into the outro, this is your opportunity to share our, take your takeaway message. So as our audience know, this is a message that you share with us to go home with and to reflect on for whether this is the end or start of your day.

Um, this is your message to think about. 

Yeah.  Yeah. I really loved and enjoyed this conversation, I think.  Hmm.  I think you really left me with this sense of, 

let's see, let's, I guess just embracing the uncertainty, the unknown. Um, there's all these pressures in life and all these different things we feel like we need to do, we want to do, and all of these paths that feel the, like the right one or the wrong one.  Often other people tell us these things, but I think your songs spoke to this, your experiences and my own experiences of this, like this redirection, um, embracing it, 

I'm 

a control freak by nature, but.

I'm learning to relinquish control and have a faith in like,  not just like a wider spiritual, I guess, power, but also my community.  Um,  my main takeaway from this conversation, from seeing you, listening to you and your passion for you.  If you are passionate, if you are true to what you love with, you care.

It, you know, rooted with deep, you know, all these kind of values of respect. I think I, 

anyone's feeling lost, feeling stressed, whether  entrepreneurial life, personal, like just have faith  in things that around you, those poor beliefs. And I really do believe whether it takes years or you always back to your support 

is necessary.  Yeah, keep it going. Don't let, um, downturn feel about everything. 

Yeah, just  I, I just believe  have a purpose,  have  I say clean heart, clean heart, 

and even the people that probably look up  or fill out or are thriving in whatever sense you, they all stumble and they all like, you know,  get set off. But they always find their way back. They always find their way home. So I hope you find your way home,  um, in wherever you. 

That's the end of the episode, really. Uh, so thank you very much to me for coming on. Uh, this is an opportunity. I know you have an event, uh, on the 2018. There. Go see that. So this will be after that though. Uh, yes. We will include nice clips and footage Yeah. In this segment, uh, to, for, to showcase how incredible that event was.

But longer term, I would say think  plug and yeah, plug anything, everything. How can people connect with you if you've got events? I would say,  I'm not sure when this will come out. Mm-hmm. But I would say think all the way up until the end of the year and then after, yeah, into the new year. 

Just tap in with sounds of the diaspora.

So we do so many things online, in person, podcast, events, parties, workshops. But the best way to find us is probably Instagram. Um, you can find us with sounds of the diaspora with two As. Until we fight the person who has the original one, get that a back or get rid of that. So sounds diaspora on Instagram, you find us on LinkedIn.

Sounds of the diaspora. We have a website. Sounds day diaspora.co uk. Um, and yeah, we will have events running throughout the year so by the time you see this we'll probably be doing more workshop type things, but, um, whether wherever you are, this is also the US we'll be still doing things in the East coast and hopefully beyond, or if you're interested in getting involved.

Whether you're a storyteller, a musician, an artist, and it feels like anything I've spoken about resonate with you, you can catch me at m ONTs, uh, T-U-M-Z-Z on Instagram. I'm always here to meet, speak to, and kind of, I guess, I don't know, for partner with like-minded people, um, whether that's community organizing, uh, advocacy too.

So yeah, stay tuned. Just see what we do. Like shout us, tell us what you're for, what you think. Maybe you wanna come on the podcast. You can catch us podcast episodes on Spotify, apple Music. Amazon, a streaming platform basically that you can listen to a podcast on is probably there except YouTube, which.

Gotta fix that one. Um, what else? Thinking black. Always got a shout out thinking black. If you know young people age 14 to 18, and probably by the time you see this, we would've expanded our reach schools. Teachers interested in teacher training, um, anti-racist education, the colonial education, young people who wanna get involved.

Please reach out to us to find our deals on our website. Um, if you wanna see me dj, DJ Tombs, I don't know, man. Follow me on Instagram and see if you can catch me. I just, I'd be doing it here and there, so, but um, yeah, keep tuning in to pick up the mic. There's a lot of wealth of knowledge here. Um. I don't think I have anything else to plug.

By the time you would've seen this, we would've just wrapped up our homecoming. So we're officially back in London, um, whilst being in Boston and maybe in Singapore as well. But, um, yeah, just come, come say, Hey, come. Just check out what we do and if you like it,  then stay stick around. 

Perfect. I appreciate the plug.

Cut the mic. Come on. I appreciate it, man. That's what you're here for. Thank you very much. Um, and thank you to you. I wonder people here to come back If you like this episode, like come, describe, always appreciated. If you wanna support our efforts, then please do Check out the patron. Buy me a coffee and the YouTube channel membership down below.

You'll get, uh, discounts on our merch. Uh, but you can also, uh, help us to, you know, continually grow and continue to do amazing work to support you guys. Uh, put on, uh, my Wild Ideas of doing one event, uh, every month. Crazy. Next year, which is wild. I'm, yeah. Good luck. Thank you so much. You gonna go great.

It's gonna go great. It's gonna be a lot. Uh,  there's some that I already know. I have, like, they're already, you know, they always happen every year. So there's some that I know  keep an eye out for collab. Yes, yes. We, I, to be fair, that is something we, I have an idea. So by the time this video is out, it may have happened.

That might be the fix I was asking for time to pick up the mic. You could keep your eye out. Keep an eye out. Um, because you got, we got a lot. We've got a lot of plans. Stop cooking. Yeah, of course. Um, but yeah, uh,  you know that it's, it's. It's been, this is the first of two podcasts and my brain is already tired.

Yeah. But,  uh, my outro stuff, uh, if you're on a scene, as I mentioned, we've got merch, check it out, the link down below, um, uh, by this point Fund and Flourish may have, uh, started its first cohort. So keep an eye on that stuff. We've got incredible stuff coming from our community. Finally, uh, if you wanna see our other channels, uh, you know, of anime, the two macas, pick up the controller head to our main YouTube channels, scroll to those down.

See for the, under the four U section, it's got all three channels there. Subscribe to them, click the notification bell, and then you can have more of our content coming your way every  week or so. Um, and yeah. Uh, you know, we're closing the chapter here of the student Guide. We're working on something cool because  potentially by next year the way things are going.

Uh, 'cause we might finish season eight, recording, season eight before 2025 ends, which means 2026 might start with season nine, which based on the way things have been going, we could end season 10, which would be a hundred episodes Wow. Of this podcast, which is honestly, um, wow. It is wild to think. Um, but I have ideas already.

I have a strong idea of what we'll do for the hundredth episode. So keep an eye on the space. Um, but yeah, best bye from see, enjoy your day. Speak to you soon and yeah, take care. Bye.