This week’s guest is a dynamic activist that I had the pleasure of working with while distributing a documentary (see other topics of interest) featuring the work that has become his origin story in the world of Pan-African development. Hamzat “Hamzy!” Lawal is a global citizen, community organizer, an award-winning advocate and humanitarian who has successfully led grassroots campaigns in over 40 African countries. He specializes in practical issues associated with climate change, open data, advocacy and development policies affecting rural and deprived communities. He is the Founder of Follow The Money, a home-grown, Pan-African grassroots, data-driven initiative currently in 10 African countries. As the Chief Executive of Connected Development (CODE), an organization he also founded, CODE won the ONE Africa 2016 Award recognizing, rewards, and advances the exceptional work of African organizations; dedicated to helping the continent achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

When he is not social entrpreneuring, Hamzy sits on the Executive Board of the largest Youth Movement in Africa: African Youth Initiative on Climate Change (AYICC), and has joined his voice on different platforms and policy influencing coalitions across Africa such as the Not Too Young To Run movement which drives youth political inclusion. And also serves as an Education Champion with the Malala Fund, organization working for a world where all girls can learn for 12 years and lead without fear.

This is definitely a listening and learning opportunity with wonderful insights into the work of empowering the youth that are poised to lead the Continent.

Where to find Hamzy?
On LinkedIn
On Facebook
On Instagram

What’s Hamzy reading?
Love Does not Win Elections by Glocal Citizen Ayisha Osori

Other topics of interest:
The documentary that started it all Perspective
About Kogi State, Nigeria and the Ebira people
About #SaveBagega
Another side of Bauchi State

Special Guest: Hamzat Lawal.

Fully committed in her passion for public service, Daisry is also Founder & Director, Oyayone Foundation which works with and for under-resourced single mothers in Namibia to break the cycle of poverty by addressing basic needs and tackling asset poverty toward achieving social mobility. The Foundation is “Building an enduring inheritance for our children’s children” by facilitating the ownership and management of economic assets by more Namibian women.

Trust me when I say that this is a conversation that will inform, inspire and activate your spirit to connect with the Pan-African movements that are manifesting a new world!

Where to find Daisry?
www.daisrymathias.com
On LinkedIn
On Twitter
On YouTube

What's Dairsy reading?
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born by Ayi Kwei Armah

Other topics of interest:
Namibian Languages
AAA School of Advertising
Team Namibia
About the African Peer Review Mechanism Symposium
Green Hydrogen Namibia
Visit Swakopmund

Special Guest: Daisry Obal.

My guest this week is a media professional and content creator that rounds out our first 100 episodes quite nicely. Ivy Prosper is Ghanaian born and while spending the majority of her life in Canada she is a passionate Pan-Africa and has developed a desire to help tell stories that can change the negative narrative of Africa often portrayed in the media. is very passionate about advocating for women and doesn’t hesitate to speak her mind when it comes to gender issues and educating people who don’t understand the disparity that still exists when it comes to gender equality. For over a decade she has been a public speaker addressing concerns related to the empowerment women.

Born in Ghana, she immigrated to Canada at an early age with her parents. A graduate of Ryerson University, her career in the public eye began as a teen when she was pursuing a career as a fashion model before venturing into the fashion industry first as a designer then in retail footwear until she became an assistant buyer for a women's retailer. She later made a career change after studying Radio & Television Broadcasting at Specs Howard School of Media Art in Detroit, Michigan. Since then she has worked as a Television Reporter, Host, Producer and script-writer on various projects.

Most notably she worked as a Consultant/Fixer on one episode of the Christiane Amanpour series, Sex & Love Around the World, which aired on CNN in 2018. She was nominated for Host of the Year in a Development Series by the RTP Awards in Ghana for her work on The Maternal Health Channel TV Series in 2013. Over the last year she has been a freelance Producer on documentary film projects with Refined Creative, a production company based in Ghana.

As a reporter she’s interviewed noteworthy people including Oscar-Winning Director, Barry Jenkins (Moonlight), Actor/Producer Idris Elba, Oscar-Nominated actor Jake Gyllenhall, Recording artist Akon, Comedian Leslie Jones, Actor David Oyelowo, Grammy-winning recording artist Melanie Fiona and many more.

There is so much more to Ivy, listen in and fully Prosper!

Where to find Ivy?
On LinkedIn
On Twitter
On Instagram
On YouTube
On Facebook
On Pintrest

What's Ivy reading?
Failing Forward: Turning Mistakes Into Stepping Stones for Success by John C. Maxwell

Other topics of interest:
Mel Robbins' The 5Second Rule
NAACP Niagara Movement
Year of Return and Beyond
Maternal Health Channel

Grand Health Bazaar
...and join me on November 23rd @ 2PM WAT as moderate the COVID-19 status and solution-scaping afternoon sessions.

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Special Guest: Ivy Prosper.