This week on the podcast I’m back in Accra, back on the Continent, just in time to commemorate African Liberation Day--Africa Day 2026. Last year around this time, my guest and I were preparing for our respective sessions at AfroTalks 2025 @ University of Ghana-Legon where we shared stories and proposed solutions centering the theme "HOW?" aimed at fostering critical introspection, sustainable community impact, and the amplification of African stories by Africans. I shared insights taken from our Future of Work salon series and featured Glocal Citizens specifically engaged in impact-driven solutions for us by us. My guest, Dr. Ashley D. Milton was part of a duo presenting The Triangle Offensive Policy. She joins us a year later to share how her work has progressed and her consortium prepares to release the The State of the Africa Diaspora Report, a first-of-its-kind continental grounding document examining how Africa and its global diaspora connect across mobility, investment, culture, skills, governance, technology, and development systems. The report brings together policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs, creatives, and community stakeholders across Africa and the diaspora to shape a more coordinated and regenerative future.

As a strategist, researcher, and systems builder working at the intersection of Africa, its global diaspora, and the future of regenerative economic development she is the Founder and Managing Director of She Grows It™ (SGI), a Pan-African consulting and investment migration advisory firm. Ashley leads work across green infrastructure, trade and industry, tourism and hospitality, diaspora engagement, governance strategy, and emerging technology systems designed to support long-term African growth and resilience. She has advised on projects ranging from IFC EDGE green building certification and sustainable development strategy to diaspora policy frameworks, investment positioning, and institutional ecosystem development. Her work consistently centers one core question: how do we build systems that allow African people, businesses, and communities to thrive across generations?

Where to find Dr. Ashley?
The Africa Diaspora Report
On LinkedIn
On Instagram

What’s Ashley watching?
The Eyes of Ghana
When Malcolm Smiled a film by Glocal Citizen Muhammida el Muhajir

Other topics of interest:
Africa Day
Accountability and the March 2026 UN Resolution
How the US justifies it’s denial of the gravest crime against humanity.
Kwame Nkrumah, books on Pan-Africanism
About the long history of smog in Los Angeles
About FAMU, a top ranked HBCU
About the book, White Malice by Susan Williams
Nautilus Diving - Dakar

Special Guest: Ashley D. Milton.

This week on the podcast it’s an NYU affair with a side of Columbia University, Harvard University and UCLA. I first met my guest as fellow New York University students/alumni in the late 1990’s, at a time when slam poetry was beginning to reaching global audiences with influences from hip hop music and other activist movements. Fast foward after more than 20 years to earlier this spring when our paths crossed again at an event hosted by fellow Glocal Citizen and Director of NYU Accra, Chiké Frankie Edozien - The Labone Dialogues.

Bryonn is a poet, actor, prison activist, playwright, scholar, author, hip hop artist and professor of African American Studies, Theater, Film & Television, and World Arts & Cultures in the School of the Arts and the School of Law at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). Playing over 40 characters, his one-man show, LYRICS FROM LOCKDOWN, won “Best Solo Performance” from the LA Weekly and the NAACP. Executive produced by the late and great, Harry Belafonte, the show tells stories of wrongful incarceration through spoken word poetry, hip hop theater, calypso, comedy and classical music. He founded the Prison Education Program at UCLA in 2015 and in 2019, the program and his performances at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts were featured on the debut episode of LA Stories, which won an Emmy Award.

His work has been featured on a diverse range of stages including the Apollo Theater, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The Public Theater (NYC), National Black Theatre (Harlem), NJ PAC, The Actor’s Gang Theater (Culver City), Los Angeles Theater Center (LATC), Festival de Liege (Belgium), M-1 Theater Festival (Singapore), Universidad de las Americas (Mexico) and Muteesa Royal University (Uganda), Rikers Island (New York), Marion Prison (Ohio), TEDX at Ironwood State Prison and Sing Sing Prison.

He has performed at over 250 colleges and prisons in the U.S., Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe. And soon in Ghana!

Where to find Bryonn?
https://www.bryonn.com
On LinkedIn
On Instagram

What’s Bryonn reading?
A Survey of Muhammad Ali Biographies

What’s Bryonn watching?
Concerning Violence

What’s Bryonn listening to?
Blues Women

Other topics of interest:
What is a Calypsonian
About Veteran Black Panther Jamal Joseph
About Akuse Prison in Ghana
90’s music roll-call - The Fu-Schnickens, Digital Underground, Tupac Shakur
About Pedro Noguera
About Delroy Lindo
Sinners the film
About Michael A. Jordan

Special Guest: Bryonn Bain.

This week’s encore episode is a salve for my heavy heart. I’m resharing it as a reminder of life’s certainties; because it reflects some of the roots experiences that my guest, Global Ghanaian, death doula and author of Briefly Perfectly Human, Alua Arthur and I share; and because care for the aging has become a feature focus of my life story, particulary since the start of the pandemic.

On April 4th, my father, Peter Otoe Adu took his leave from the body that was the man I know as Daddy, Dad, PO, Peter and papa. He was 86.

Last week on the podcast, I mentioned the long overdue solutionscape and stretch salon series. The first topic we covered in these live sessions--the future of work in care for the aging, is an ever-timely discussion that will go live later this month. Woven into this series will be small tributes in memory of the briefly, perfectly human life dad lived and what I hope will be inspiration for us all to normalize conversations, pay attention and act in the interest of not just our elders but our inevitably aging selves.

Where to find Alua?
See the show notes for Episode 164

Special Guest: Alua Arthur.

The final stretch of 2025 is upon us and along with winding down our year-long Glocal Citizens @5 commemoration, this flashback forward episode is right on time for many reasons. In her new book, Erased: What American Patriarchy Has Hidden from Us, my returning guest, Anna Malaika Tubbs not only prompts readers (and listeners) to connect the many dots that encircle the systems and institutions that animate the current Administration of the United States, she also proposes a vision for how we collectively flash forward and overcome the inherent limitations to patriarchy, in the US and globally. The solution--people power.

Anna is a two-time New York Times bestselling author and multidisciplinary expert on current and historical understandings of race, gender, and equity. With a Ph.D. in Sociology and a Masters in Multidisciplinary Gender Studies from the University of Cambridge in addition to a Bachelors in Medical Anthropology from Stanford University, Anna translates her academic knowledge into stories that are clear and engaging. Her articles have been published by TIME Magazine, New York Magazine, Newsweek, The Guardian, and others. She first joined us to talk about her first book, The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of MLK Jr, Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation, which came out in 2021. Anna’s storytelling also takes form in her talks, including her TED Talk that has been viewed 2 million times, as well as the scripted and unscripted screen projects she has in development which she hints at in our conversation. #Listenandlearn more!

Where to find Anna?
www.annamalaikatubbs.com
On LinkedIn
On Instagram

What’s Anna reading and watching?
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
The Amazing Race
All Her Fault

Other topics of interest:
Anna on The View
The Reecie Colbert Show
Higher Learning Podcast with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
The 19th News
About Modo Yoga
About Bikram Yoga

Special Guest: Anna Malaika Tubbs.

As is our tradition, this month is all about herstories. Kicking it off is fellow Stanford Cardinal and return guest, Stacy Kirk. Stacy has over 15 years of experience helping organizations and entrepreneurs achieve their visions through technology and process optimization. She specializes in strategies that drive sustainable growth and scalability, with a passion for supporting diverse, small businesses. Stacy excels at turning visionary ideas into practical solutions, enabling success for her clients. Her dedication to innovation and inclusion continues to make a lasting impact in the business world. As the founder of QualityWorks, she empowers visionary entrepreneurs to achieve their go-to-market goals through technology, AI, and an iterative release process. Continuing to expand on her tech activism Stacy is increasingly dedicating her craft to social impact and human progress for all. She recently teamed up with another fellow Stanford Alum, Dr. Anndretta Lyle as co-founder of Thrive Culture Box which is all about empowering families and educators to change the ways that we are building knowledge in Black communities.

Where to find Stacy?
@posture
@Quality Works Consulting Group
On LinkedIn
On Instagram

What’s Stacy Reading?
Life Is a Comeback : 299 Inspiring Success Stories of Redemption, Determination, Second Chances, Forgiveness, and the Amazing Force of the Human Spirit by Daron “Dr. Comeback” Fordham

Other topics of interest:
Thrive Culture Box in Black Enterprise
Black Arts Camp
The Bionic Woman Series

Special Guest: Stacy Kirk.

Sasheen has worked with such newsmakers and celebrities as President Barack Obama, Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, actor/director Robert Duvall, singer/songwriter Annie Lennox and director Jonathan Demme. Her latest film, Birthing Justice, addressing Black maternal health outcomes, debuted at the Congressional Black Caucus, screened for 200 countries at the United Nations and is used as a continuing education course by the American Medical Association. It currently airs on PBS.
She is also dedicated to service as a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the Producers Guild of America, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and serves on the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation Digital Media Entertainment Advisory Council.

Be sure to spread the word via the links below about her upcoming inaugural Plenty of Pie Talent Incubator Cohort - Deadline is April 30th.

Where to find Sasheen?
www.plentyofpie.net
On LinkedIn
On Instagram
On Facebook

What’s Sasheen watching?
Maigret
Blood of the Vine
Nordic Thrillers

Other topics of interest:
About CUNY - aka City College in Harlem
Hankcock Park, Los Angeles
Silver Lake, Los Angeles
Los Feliz, Los Angeles
Baldwin Hills, Los Angeles
Ted Milner’s Executive Temps
About Blockbuster
What are lenticulars?
About The Division
The Tavis Smiley Show
About Aerospace Engineer, Hal Walker
Prentice Penny
Sasheen’s Emmy-winning episodes of Lost L.A. - Three Views of Manzanar and Discovering the Universe
The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act
About fellow Stanford Alum and basketball standout Darren Allaway
Color Congress

Sasheen has worked with such newsmakers and celebrities as President Barack Obama, Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, actor/director Robert Duvall, singer/songwriter Annie Lennox and director Jonathan Demme. Her latest film, Birthing Justice, addressing Black maternal health outcomes, debuted at the Congressional Black Caucus, screened for 200 countries at the United Nations and is used as a continuing education course by the American Medical Association. It currently airs on PBS.
She is also dedicated to service as a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the Producers Guild of America, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and serves on the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation Digital Media Entertainment Advisory Council.

Be sure to spread the word via the links below about her upcoming inaugural Plenty of Pie Talent Incubator Cohort - Deadline is April 30th.

Where to find Sasheen?
[plentyofpie.net](www.plentyofpie.net/demystify-entertainment)
On LinkedIn
On Instagram
On Facebook

What’s Sasheen watching?
Maigret
Blood of the Vine
Nordic Thrillers

Other topics of interest:
About CUNY - aka City College in Harlem
Hankcock Park, Los Angeles
Silver Lake, Los Angeles
Los Feliz, Los Angeles
Baldwin Hills, Los Angeles
Ted Milner’s Executive Temps
About Blockbuster
What are lenticulars?
About The Division
The Tavis Smiley Show
About Aerospace Engineer, Hal Walker
Prentice Penny
Sasheen’s Emmy-winning episodes of Lost L.A. - Three Views of Manzanar and Discovering the Universe
[The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act](lin https://tcf.org/content/data/black-maternal-health-momnibus-tracker/)
About fellow Stanford Alum and basketball standout Darren Allaway
Color Congress

Special Guest: Sasheen Artis.

This month we’ve traveled to three continents on our herstory tour and our final destination is the west coast of the US by way of The Gambia. My guest, Kadiatou Sibi, started in the world of work after finding her voice (literally), in university when she began traveling the world as a lead singer of the band, Belizbeha. Following a successful career in media, entertainment, and teaching, she focused on entrepreneurism to launch A Web of Wellness (AWOW). With over 24 years of experience as an Ayurvedic Wellness and Performance Coach at AWOW, Kadiatou helps clients achieve optimal health and well-being through personalized diet, lifestyle, and meditation practices. She is a board-certified Ayurvedic practitioner by the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA), and a Chopra Certified Health Teacher and Student at Chopra Global, where she learns from the renowned Deepak Chopra and his team of experts. Her involvement with the National Ayurvedic Medicine Association includes participation on the DEI committee reflecting her dedication to inclusivity within the field. Additionally, she has authored articles, led DEI workshops, and extended her expertise to cater to a diverse clientele. This conversation was a breath of fresh Spring air and I hope that many of the tips that Kadi has to offer in conversation and at AWOW will help you to build better, wholistic wellness practices for you and your loved ones.

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

What’s Kadi watching?
Needle in a Haystack
The Banker

What’s Kadi reading?
Who Not How: The Formula to Achieve Bigger Goals Through Accelerating Teamwork by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy

Other topics of interest:
Belizbeha Band Reunion
About Julangel. Gambia
About Leimert Park and Africa Town
About Nasya in Ayurveda
About the Chakras
What is the Dark NIght of the Soul?
About Redlining and Its Legacy
About Juneteenth
What is NLP?
Ayurveda Daily Routine
About the Gut Microbiome

Special Guest: Kabiatou Sibi.

Anna was also previously the First Partner of Stockton. In her role, she co-authored the “Report on the Status of Women in Stockton” to help guide future policy decisions with the experiences of diverse women in mind. As a result of this work she was named one of six pivotal powerbrokers in the Bay Area by San Francisco Magazine in 2019.

Anna has published articles on topics ranging from the importance of inclusivity and feminism to addressing the unique burden Black mothers carry in the U.S. for Time Magazine, New York Magazine, The Guardian, CNN, Motherly, Blavity, Huffington Post, Darling Magazine, and For Harriet.

She currently lives in Los Angeles, California with her husband and two children, where she is discovering a new chapter in her creative career with multiple writing projects in the works which you'll learn more about as you listen to our lively conversation.

Where to find Anna?
www.annamalaikatubbs.com
On Instagram
On Twitter

What's Anna reading?
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennet

What's Anna watching?
Ted Lasso

Other topics of interest:
Hiking in Cold Spring, New York
Kokrobite, Ghana
Oshiyie, Ghana
About Isabel Wilkerson
About Margot Lee Shetterly
About Brit Bennet
About Melissa Harris-Perry
About Marc Lamont Hill
About Alicia Garza
About Bryn Clark
About Peleton
Remy Ma Music

*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: Anna Malaika Tubbs.

For the next two episodes, we’ll be visiting with healthtech entrepreneur and neurosurgeon, Dr. Muri Raifu. Muri is another Ghana native, by way of Nigeria. A scholar-athlete at Amherst College in Massachusetts, in addition to his medical training Muri also received his MPA from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. Currently based in Los Angeles, California, Muri is blazing a trail both in his private practice, and his start-up Talamus Health which is in the business of improving and unifying healthcare delivery in emerging markets, helping patients interact with and share their health information with a connected circle of providers.

Since launching in 2018, Talamus is emerging as a go to solution for health service providers partnering with more than 1,000 healthcare providers across Africa. Other notable early achievements include being named Most Scalable SME at the United Nations ITU Global Awards in 2018 and making Fast Company’s 50 Most Innovative Companies in the World list in 2019. This conversation is another Glocal Citizens gem where we take a seat on a coming of age and career tour with Muri from Ghana, across the US and back, across Africa.

Where to find Muri and Talamus?
On Talamus
On LInkedIn
On Facebook
On Instagram

What’s Muri lightening to?
Fela Kuti
Bob Marley
Shatta Wale
Sarkodie
Talib Kweli
Mos Def

Art and science of interest—
PCR Primers

Wangechi Mutu Kenyan Visual Artist
Yinka Shonibare British-Nigerian Artist
Sanford Biggers Harlem-based Visual Artist
Amoako Boafo Ghanaian Painter
Dotum Popoola
Hyperrealist Artists in Nigeria

Special Guest: Muri Raifu, MD.

For the next two episodes, we’ll be visiting with healthtech entrepreneur and neurosurgeon, Dr. Muri Raifu. Muri is another Ghana native, by way of Nigeria. A scholar-athlete at Amherst College in Massachusetts, in addition to his medical training Muri also received his MPA from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. Currently based in Los Angeles, California, Muri is blazing a trail both in his private practice, and his start-up Talamus Health which is in the business of improving and unifying healthcare delivery in emerging markets, helping patients interact with and share their health information with a connected circle of providers.

Since launching in 2018, Talamus is emerging as a go to solution for health service providers partnering with more than 1,000 healthcare providers across Africa. Other notable early achievements include being named Most Scalable SME at the United Nations ITU Global Awards in 2018 and making Fast Company’s 50 Most Innovative Companies in the World list in 2019. This conversation is another Glocal Citizens gem where we take a seat on a coming of age and career tour with Muri from Ghana, across the US and back, across Africa.

Where to find Muri and Talamus?
On Talamus
On LInkedIn
On Facebook
On Instagram

What’s Muri lightening to?
Fela Kuti
Bob Marley
Shatta Wale
Sarkodie
Talib Kweli
Mos Def

Art and science of interest—
PCR Primers

Wangechi Mutu Kenyan Visual Artist
Yinka Shonibare British-Nigerian Artist
Sanford Biggers Harlem-based Visual Artist
Amoako Boafo Ghanaian Painter
Dotum Popoola
Hyperrealist Artists in Nigeria

Special Guest: Muri Raifu, MD.