We speak to Dr. Bashair Ahmed about her career and Humanitarian Organization Shabaka. We delve into the role of diaspora engagement in development and humanitarian response. Dr. Ahmed has an illustrious career having worked with United Nations agencies and international organizations focused on fragile and conflict-affected countries. Dr. Ahmed has consulted on a wide range of migration and diaspora initiatives, including protecting irregular migrants; the development of e-trainings on...

In honor of Caribbean Heritage, we speak to trailblazer Dr. Adelle Thomas Adaptation Lead at the Natural Resources Defense Council, and Vice Chair of Working Group II for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Adelle made history by becoming the first English-speaking Caribbean scientist and the First Female Caribbean Scientist to be elected to the panel.  Adelle took a pragmatic approach to her studies, which led her to be a leading voice on the climate challenges facing the...

In honor of Haitian Heritage Month and Haitian Flag Day, Diaspora in Development brings you something different! We speak to singer-songwriter Sherlee Skai about the role artists can play in shedding light on injustices at home or to their communities worldwide. Born and raised in Haiti, Sherlee Skai's journey into the world of music began at a young age. Surrounded by the rich tapestry of Haitian culture and folklore, she was captivated by the rhythmic beats of traditional music and the...

My guest today is  Dr. Claudine Kuradusenge-McLeod. Claudine is a Professiorial Lecturer  and the Director  of Graduate Studies at American University in the School of International Service. She lectures on Human Rights and Cultural Relations.  Claudine specializes in genocide studies and the intersection of Diaspora consciousness and social mobilization. She is the  2023 Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation Distinguished Scholar for "Erasing Refugees: How Camps Became Killing Fields in the...

Happy Black History Month - We talk with Adria Armbrister about her illustrious career in Global Health. It's a candid conversation about race and global equity and whether international development can work. She is currently a Foundation Representative at the Inter-American Foundation (IAF), a small U.S. Government agency that provides grants to community-based organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean. Dr. Armbrister also maintains a consulting practice under which she has provided...

On the first episode of 2024, we talk about climate change with Blessing Ewe and Sequoia Riley. We caught Blessing on her return from COP 28. We discuss how climate change disproportionately affects people of color, climate change research and what we can do to combat climate change. Dr. Sequoia Riley is a Research Associate at HARC, focusing on the Water-Climate-Energy nexus. Her research specializations and interests include urban environmental planning and management, green...

This month I speak to France Francois a social impact leader who is currently the Director of Global Community management at TikTok and the Founder and former Executive Director of In Cultured Company, an organization committed to racial equality and transforming legacies of conflict between Black and Latinx leaders and communities. We talk about France's transition from International Development to the Private Sector, and if International Development works. It's a great conversation enjoy!...

In our third episode will be speaking to Christa Michaud from Partners in Health. Christa is a Senior Development Officer on the Major and Principal Gifts team at Partners In Health, a social justice nonprofit that provides high quality health care to those who need it most. In addition to helping generate the funding needed to support PIH’s mission, Christa also contributes to several of the organizations Equity, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives. Before transitioning to the nonprofit...

In this Episode we speak to Dave Fils- Aime Founder and Executive Director of Basketball to Uplift the Youth (BAL) a non-profit organization that uses basketball as a tool to educate and mentor Haitian youth.  Dave left a promising career in International Development to concentrate on BAL. He will talk about his career trajectory and how he keeps BAL running during exceptionally difficult times in Haiti. The opinions shared on this forum are the opinions of the individuals and are not the...

My first guest is Anick Silencieux, founder and executive director of Support Black Charities.  Support Black Charities is an online directory that connects Black-led, Black focus or Black-serving organizations to supporters and allies in the community.  Anick and I will talk about her organization and what led her to create Support Black Charities. For more about Support Black Charities, check out their website: https://supportblackcharities.org/ Host: Soraya Senosier - Music and...