For those listeners in North America, February is Black History Month. Week in and week out on this podcast, we’re all about how our Black present syncs with our history and all things forward for people of the Black diaspora worldwide. This week’s conversation zooms in on a healthcare infrastrucutre solution that has the potential to transform how emergency response services are designed and implemented with the realities of African communities in mind. My guest this week, Folake Owodunni is the co-founder and CEO of Emergency Response Africa (ERA), a health tech company revolutionizing access to emergency care in Africa, beginning with Nigeria. With over 15 years of experience across healthcare, marketing, and consulting in Nigeria, the U.S., and Canada, she brings a dynamic and cross-sectoral approach to solving complex health challenges.

Under her leadership, ERA has managed over 4,500 medical emergencies, reducing response times by up to 80%, and forging partnerships with forward-thinking state governments including Edo, Ogun, and Rivers.

Also a certified First Responder with the Canadian Red Cross, she is passionate about Africa’s rising tech ecosystem and making fast, reliable emergency medical care accessible to all Africans using technology. Recognized for her innovation and impact, she has received multiple awards and development grants, including the Google Black Founders Fund, JICA’s Next Innovation with Japan Award, The Professor Grace Alele-Williams Alumni Impact Award, and most recently, the global Aurora Tech Award.

As you’ll hear in the conversation, ERA is appealing to the the Black/African Diaspora to get involved! Health is wealth so #listenandlearn how you can forward ERA’s mission to deliver fast, reliable emergency care across Africa.

Where to find Folake?
On LinkedIn
On Instagram

What’s Folake reading?
Tessa Afshar’s Jewel of the Nile
Finding Flow: The Psychology Of Engagement With Everyday Life by Mihaly Csikszentmihalhi
[The CEO Only Does Three Things: Finding Your Focus in the C-Suite](link https://www.scribd.com/document/898002899/A-CEO-Only-Does-Three-Things) by Trey Taylor

What’s Folake listening to?
Diary of a CEO Podcast
[The Lazy CEO](link https://www.thelazyceo.com/)

Other topics of interest:
Ogun State, Nigeria
Kitchner - Waterloo, Canada
Meet Dr. Ola Brown of Flying Doctors Nigeria
About The Prosperity Paradox
African Journal for Emergency Medicine
About Biblical Fiction

Special Guest: Folake Owodunni.

I met this week's guest last month as a fellow AfroTalks 2025 speaker. Our collective charge for the event was to present our ideas about the "how" of Pan-African progress from mindset, to skills development to migration policy and the future of work. While I shared insights from the future of work salon series, our guest this week, David Hutchful participated on a panel discussing skills development. Born in Ghana, David is a passionate technologist, entrepreneur, educator, and design thinking expert dedicated to building tech-driven solutions in emerging markets. With over 25 years of experience in software development, he has led teams to create award-winning innovative platforms that drive business and social impact in Ghana and abroad.

As Co-Founder and CTO of Yemaachi Biotech (YC21), he is working to build the most diverse genomic database to advance precision oncology. Previously, he co-founded Bloom Impact, led technology innovation at Grameen Foundation, and worked at Microsoft Research. His expertise spans Fintech, Health tech, and Biotech, with a focus on leveraging technology for meaningful change--all topics we touch on in our conversation.

Where to find David?
On LinkedIn
On Instagram
On Facebook
On YouTube

What’s David watching?
Dept. Q on Netflix

What’s David riding and a few motorcycle clubs in Accra:
Yamaha XSR900
Ultimate Riders MC
Hotwheels Ghana MC
Biker Girls GH

Other topics of interest:
Apam, Ghana
Adukrom, Ghana
About Abelempke, Accra
What is the Africa Rising Movement about?
About Ahaspora
Why did nurses and midwives in Ghana go on strike?
Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) in Ghana
About Kasapreko
About WACCBIP - West African Centre for Cell Biology and Infectious Pathogens
GDPR - General Data Protection Regulation
+233 Jazz Bar and Grill
Empire of AI by Karen Hao

Special Guest: David Hutchful.

On this first day of April, we are trying to fool you, but just slightly. Though herstories month has just ended, we have the treat of catching up with one of featured voices from last week’s compilation episode. Returning with an update on Fourth Phase which was in the launch phase when last we caught up in 2020, is co-founder Nana Eyeson-Akiwowo. Nana is a dedicated social entrepreneur and humanitarian with a strong commitment to advocating for accessible healthcare for under-resourced women, children, and families. As the co-founder of Fourth Phase, she focuses on operations and our giving back program. She also founded non-profit, African Health Now (AHN), which is dedicated to providing vital health information and services across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Prior moving into entrepreneurship, Nana had a successful background in media, having worked with prominent titles such as Honey, Suede, and Essence. And also held positions at the Clinton Global Initiative Foundation and New York Mission Society. Her philanthropic efforts have been recognized globally. In 2017, she received the prestigious title of Humanitarian of the Year from the National Council of Ghanaian Associations, recognizing her impactful contributions. She was acknowledged with a New York State Senate Proclamation acknowledging her commitment to health advocacy. She has also received the Andrew Heiskell Humanitarian Award by Time Inc.

Catching up with Nana is an absolute delight, between learning all about the business of Fourth Phase to mompreneurship, I think you’ll feel welcomed into a world of innovation in a serious health area with a touch of light-heartedness. In case you missed our previous conversations, links are below.

Where to find Nana?

On Glocal Citizens
On Instagram
Fourth Phase on Instagram
Healing After Birth Podcast

What’s Nana watching?
The Golden Girls
The Cosby Show
Chicago Fire | PD | Med | Justice

What’s Nana listening to?
Beres Hammond

Other topics of interest:
Fourth Trimester in Websters Dictionary
Dr. Edward Brown in practice
About Dr. Andrew Alexis and his new program Skin of Color Savvy
Where to find Dr. Ama Alexis
About the TOMS model

Special Guest: Nana Eyeson-Akiwowo.

As we bid 2024 farewell, we have another Glocal Citizen to thank for our connection with this weeks guest. This fall in Accra, Rita Kusi and her team hosted their Global Conference on Human Resources in Africa 2024 where this week's guest was a featured panelist sharing her expertise as a leading business leader in the technology space. Ghanaian born and raised, Deborah Asmah is a trailblazing expert in digital governance and fintech, whose contributions have significantly impacted Ghana's fintech landscape. Her innovative approaches have enabled seamless access to payment tools, promoted financial inclusion, and driven digital transformation in various sectors. She is co-founder of Npontu Technologies Ltd, a tech company specialising in the use of AI for the provision of financial solutions and digital transformation. As a Certified Information Privacy Manager with the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), she is also an ardent activist for Public Policy. With extensive research experience at the intersection of technology and financial inclusion she is passionate about leveraging digital tools and platforms to bridge social divides and promote financially inclusive, sustainable societies.

Where to find Deborah?
On LinkedIn
On Instagram
On X

What’s Deborah listening to?
Jubilare Group

Other topics of interest:
Winneba, Ghana
Ghana Skills and Knowledge Bank
Ghana’s Ministry of Communications and Digitization
On the Digital Financial Landscaape in Ghana
About National Service in Ghana
What are WAEC and BECE?
Stanford Seed

Special Guest: Deborah Asmah.

The beautiful thing about life is that with care and attention time refines and gives rise to the amazement that is our daily experience. I met this week's guest nearly a decade ago, in the country she currently calls home, as we were both starting our work in the African edutainment industry and as she was making her way back home to Tanzania to do what she prepared for when getting her MBA and BS in International Business and Economics from Overton School of Business in the US--making a difference for African children. Tanzanian born and raised, Doreen Kessy is a Co-founder at STEM Girls Education (SGE), a social enterprise with a mission to help more girls in Africa become innovators. An education and women's champion at heart, Doreen holds the belief that empowering women and girls to drive change is essential in fostering a more sustainable and kinder world for all. Previously Chief Business Officer at Ubongo Learning, she was instrumental in growing the organisation as she led its expansion to 41 countries in Africa reaching over 30 million kids. She was named “Entrepreneur of the Year in Education” by Women In Africa Initiative (WIA), Winner of Next Billion EdTech Prize 2019, is also an Acumen Fellow, Future Elect Fellow, Global Shaper, an initiative of the World Economic Forum and Tedx speaker. Not only is the future bright, our present is brighter with social entreperneurs like Doreen making their mark in markets across Africa!

Where to find Doreen?
On Wikipedia
On LinkedIn
On Twitter

What’s Doreen listening to?
Brook Castillo’s The LIfe Coach School Podcast
How I Built This Podcast
Huberman Lab Podcast
The Mel Robbins Podcast
This American Life Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
The Dairy Of A CEO Podcast

Other topics of interest:
About Njombe’s Iringa Region, Tanzania
Things to do in Rosebank, Gauteng
About Smile 4 Africa
Yo! Haibo!, Sawubona - Sikhona and other South African Expressions
The Life Coach School
What’s Doreen riding?
Microschools in action in Africa

Kicking off February, we have a double-header in conversation with another Stanford Alum and fellow “Track Girl.” Born in Vietnam and raised in New York, Dana Weeks is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of MedTrans Go, a healthcare technology start-up based in Atlanta, GA. Prior to MedTrans Go, she co-founded the Black Angel Tech Foundation, created to support and increase the number of underrepresented minorities in technology. She has also held positions at AT&T, Pfizer, and in several innovative entrepreneurial ventures. She is a member of the Board of Trustees of The Westminster Schools of Atlanta, and has served as Treasurer of the Atlanta Chapter of Jack & Jill, a Board Member for Blue Owl Capital, and a Board Member for the Alliance Theater of Atlanta. She also serves on several Task Forces and Committees at both Stanford and Columbia Business School, including serving as a co-chair of the Stanford LEAD Council, a member of the Stanford Humanities & Sciences Council, and a founding member of the Women’s Circle at Columbia Business School. It was lovely catching up on the many paths Dana has walked since our days hop, skipping and jumping at the Stanford Stadium.

Where to find Dana?
https://www.medtransgo.com/
On LinkedIn
On Facebook

What’s Dana watching?
The Hallmark Channel

Other topics of interest:
About the Peace Corps
Lusophone Africa
Islands of Cape Verde
Who is Jodi Kantor?
iPhone's launch @ AT&T
Atlanta Influences Everything

Special Guest: Dana Weeks.

Kicking off February, we have a double-header in conversation with another Stanford Alum and fellow “Track Girl.” Born in Vietnam and raised in New York, Dana Weeks is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of MedTrans Go, a healthcare technology start-up based in Atlanta, GA. Prior to MedTrans Go, she co-founded the Black Angel Tech Foundation, created to support and increase the number of underrepresented minorities in technology. She has also held positions at AT&T, Pfizer, and in several innovative entrepreneurial ventures. She is a member of the Board of Trustees of The Westminster Schools of Atlanta, and has served as Treasurer of the Atlanta Chapter of Jack & Jill, a Board Member for Blue Owl Capital, and a Board Member for the Alliance Theater of Atlanta. She also serves on several Task Forces and Committees at both Stanford and Columbia Business School, including serving as a co-chair of the Stanford LEAD Council, a member of the Stanford Humanities & Sciences Council, and a founding member of the Women’s Circle at Columbia Business School. It was lovely catching up on the many paths Dana has walked since our days hop, skipping and jumping at the Stanford Stadium.

Where to find Dana?
https://www.medtransgo.com/
On LinkedIn
On Facebook

What’s Dana watching?
The Hallmark Channel

Other topics of interest:
About the Peace Corps
Lusophone Africa
Islands of Cape Verde
Who is Jodi Kantor?
iPhone's launch @ AT&T
Atlanta Influences Everything

Special Guest: Dana Weeks.

This week’s episode comes to us courtesy of a dinner hosted by EP 22/23 guest, Kwame Acheampong. Kwame and my guest, Stephen Newton are longtime colleagues that recently rejoined forces at Aleph Group, Inc., a global digital advertising platform that connects brands with every digitally connected user in Africa where Stephen currently serves as the Managing Director Sub-Sahara Africa. With Jamaican lineage, born and raised in the US Mainland and Virgin Islands, Stephen departed the US in 1998 and currently calls Cape Town, South Africa home. With over 25 years of C-suite experience, Stephen is a seasoned leader and connector in the digital innovation space, especially on the African continent. His expertise spans various sub-sectors of the digital ecosystem, such as connectable devices, affordable data, local and relevant content, promoted content, ubiquitous payment mechanisms, and trusted delivery mechanisms. He has led the launch and commercialization of some of Africa's biggest digital players, such as Google, InMobi, Positivo BGH, and Datafree. He also serves as the Chairman and Co-Founder of The Illuminate Africa Group Ltd, a consultancy that facilitates Africa expansion goals for businesses. He is passionate about empowering African youth and entrepreneurs with digital skills and opportunities.

Where to find Stephen?
Aleph’s Digital Ad Expert Portal
On LinkedIn
On Facebook
On X

What’s Stephen reading?
Limitless: Upgrade Your Brain, Learn Anything Faster, and Unlock Your Exceptional Life by Jim Kwik
The Culture Map: Breaking Through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business by Erin Meyer

Other topics of interest:
About Kenya’s Joseph Mucheru
About Nikesh Arora
Positivo BGH
LexisNexis
Nordstrom
America Online - AOL
On SDG goal 4.1
What is an Ad Exchange
On DoubleClick

Special Guest: Stephen A. Newton.

For over 25 years, Dereca has consulted with a wide variety of corporate, educational, nonprofit, and community-based groups to facilitate “uncommon conversations” on issues of race, gender, class, and social justice. I hope this two part conversation brings you closer to understanding and embodying your own inclusion mindset.

Where to find Dereca?
www.derecespeaks.com
On LinkedIn
On Twitter
On Instagram
On Facebook
On YouTube

What's Dereca reading?
Booksl by Toni Morrison
Books by Stephen King
The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level by Gay Hendricks

Other topics of interest:
On Black Detroit
St. Thomas US Virgin Islands
On Oak-Town
About the [Black Panther Party]
What happened to Oscar Grant
(https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/workers/black-panthers/)
BICOP
Shawn Ginwright
Flourish Agenda/Leadership Excellence
Carol Dweck and the Growth Mindset
Dr. Melanie Tervalon and Cultural Humility
What is Neurodivergent

When you click and purchase books using the link(s) above, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support!

Special Guest: Dereca Blackmon.

For over 25 years, Dereca has consulted with a wide variety of corporate, educational, nonprofit, and community-based groups to facilitate “uncommon conversations” on issues of race, gender, class, and social justice. I hope this two part conversation brings you closer to understanding and embodying your own inclusion mindset.

Where to find Dereca?
www.derecespeaks.com
On LinkedIn
On Twitter
On Instagram
On Facebook
On YouTube

What's Dereca reading?
Books by Toni Morrison
Books by Stephen King
The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level by Gay Hendricks

Other topics of interest:
On Black Detroit
St. Thomas US Virgin Islands
On Oak-Town
About the Black Panther Party
What happened to Oscar Grant
BICOP
Shawn Ginwright
Flourish Agenda/Leadership Excellence
Carol Dweck and the Growth Mindset
Dr. Melanie Tervalon and Cultural Humility
What is Neurodivergent?

When you click and purchase books using the link(s) above, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support!

Special Guest: Dereca Blackmon.

Our paths intersect with her role as Co-founder and CEO of UBONGO, Africa's leading kids' edutainment company. Ubongo creates top quality, localized edutainment to help Africa's 500 million kids learn, and leverage their learning to change their lives. Their vision is to equip Africa's next generation with the educational foundation, critical skills and positive mindsets to change their own lives and communities for the better. Over 17 million families in Africa learn with our edu-cartoons and radio programs, and we're rapidly growing across the continent. At Ubongo, she’s lead visionary, series producer/ screenwriter, and does whatever it takes to get our products made, tested and released! Through a distribution relationship with Ubongo, LEAP Transmedia introduced Ghanaian children and families to the program beginning in 2015.

Where to find Nisha and Ubongo?
www.ubongo.org
On LinkedIn
On Twitter
On Facebook
On Instagram
On YouTube

What's Nisha listening to?
How to Save the Planet Podcast
The Cipher Podcast
Homecoming
Pinna for kids

Other topics of interest:
About Laura Poitras
Ubuntu
Tom Chi @ TEDx

Special Guest: Nisha Ligon.