I Am African by Verastic Vera Ezimora

The world is still learning about autism. And I, Vera Ezimora, know even less about autism. My first "real" experience with autism was when I got my first professional job after I graduated college. It was as a Service Coordinator, and I walked with individuals with intellectual disabilities. It seems like such a lifetime ago now. I learned so much from that job.
When I came across today's guest, Lola Dada-Olley on Facebook (through her husband), I just knew I had to bring her on because she has so many different experiences, all rolled into one human being: she's a mom, a mom of two children on the spectrum, a Nigerian, a sister to someone on the spectrum, a lawyer, an advocate, a podcaster, a writer, and many other things. Honestly, I don't know how Lola does it.
Sometimes, I complain about having such a full plate, and then, I meet dynamic unicorns like Lola Dada-Olley, and she just blows my mind away. Like how does she do it?! I asked Lola so many questions that she told me I was a tenured professor with a curriculum in asking loaded questions. I'm still smiling from that.
Please listen to this episode and give Lola Dada-Olley a mental high-five. Or better yet, reach out to her through any of the following means. Also, check out Lola's TedX talk below. Connect with Lola Dada-Olley on her podcast and on Instagram.

BEFORE YOU GO, PLEASE RATE AND LEAVE A WRITTEN REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS. THANK YOU!

Let's connect:
I Am African on InstagramI Am African on TwitterI Am African on FacebookVera Ezimora on InstagramVera Ezimora on TwitterVera Ezimora on FacebookMonthly love notes in your emailWeb: www.verastic.comEmail: iamafrican@verastic.com

This pandemic needs to just go away. Am I right? Or am I right? A lot of things have changed permanently, thanks to the pandemic. For example, remote work, when possible, will probably always be the norm. Another thing is money: how much of it we wake, how much of it we have saved for a rainy day, etc.
In today's episode, we have Ronke Adewumi, a finance expert, teaching us creative ways to save money and stop wasting it. Yes, even when you think you don't even have money or don't have enough of it.
Let me tell you a bit about Ronke: Ronke is a Personal Finance expert and the creator of The Bulletproof Life program.  She has helped many people turn their lives around positively, simply by teaching them to adopt the Bulletproof Life which is about taking continuous actionable steps to achieve financial freedom, career progression, and business growth while living an intentional life.  Ronke shares her Bulletproof Life knowledge through her Youtube channel and social media accounts.  A Chartered Accountant (ACMA, CGMA) and Management Consultant with about 16 years of experience, Ronke, in her day job, has led and delivered finance and program management solutions for blue-chip companies in Europe, Africa, and Asia. She is a published author, serial entrepreneur, mum of two girls, married to an amazing man.
At the time of this recording, Ronke was about to have a class. That class has since expired, but Ronke always has new classes scheduled, so don't fret. Connect with Ronke to find out more. Check her out on her website, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. And you can email her too ronkeadewumi@gmail.com.

BEFORE YOU GO, PLEASE RATE AND LEAVE A WRITTEN REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS. THANK YOU!

Let's connect:
I Am African on InstagramI Am African on TwitterI Am African on FacebookVera Ezimora on InstagramVera Ezimora on TwitterVera Ezimora on FacebookMonthly love notes in your emailWeb: www.verastic.comEmail: iamafrican@verastic.com

Infertility is one of the many taboo conversations in the African community. In the Christian African community, it's even worse. For starters, the bible says that there will be barrenness in the land, so both preachers and the congregation they're preaching to are quick to remind women who are trying to conceive of this verse. It's almost as if the infertility is thereby invalidated and denied. The problem is that it's usually still there. And what about the fact that altar calls in church only call for women who want children, never men. Are men never infertile?
In today's episode, Nonsi Martins, a Zimbabwean woman, tells us about the male factor infertility - infertility in the male. Her husband, a Nigerian man, is the one experiencing infertility, but they are in this journey together, and Nonsi speaks very candidly and openly about their IVF journey, the cause of her husband's infertility, and how their family feels about this information being out in the open.
Noni Martins is a Zimbabwean-British blogger at unfertility.com who hopes to break the silence, stigma and shame by demystifying the infertility & IVF journey.  She is an Office/Project Manager by day on projects that work towards eliminating modern slavery and child labor through responsible recruitment and supply chain solutions. Social issues are also close to her heart. You can find her on Instagram.

BEFORE YOU GO, PLEASE RATE AND LEAVE A WRITTEN REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS. THANK YOU!

Let's connect:
I Am African on InstagramI Am African on TwitterI Am African on FacebookVera Ezimora on InstagramVera Ezimora on TwitterVera Ezimora on FacebookMonthly love notes in your emailWeb: www.verastic.comEmail: iamafrican@verastic.comAll content © 2021 I Am African by Verastic.

Recently, a Nigerian woman, Dr Ikea Bello, went viral for doing what we (Nigerians/Africans) would consider the unimaginable. Not only did she file for divorce, but she also dared to celebrate it --- and she did it publicly. On social media. With pictures. And videos. So, naturally, the African internet streets are offended. And also naturally, I was there to remind everyone that the divorce and the party are both hers. Read my post here.
A lot of brands and publications have been reaching out to Dr. Bello since the party, but she chose to talk to us first, and I am deeply honored. You need to listen to Dr. Bello speak about being married to a narcissist, being in a toxic marriage, literally escaping her marriage, and the work she has done to bring her the peace that she now enjoys.
So, who is Dr. Ikea Bello exactly? Dr. Ikea Bello is a mom (five kids!), a doctor of nurse practitioner,  life coach, and so much more. She has spent part of her life inspiring people at seminars, through online classes, and through small gatherings. She uses a range of physical and verbal techniques to captivate thousands of people attending her seminars. She uses her personal, past life struggles and present winning to motivate her audience. She is also a domestic violence survivor, a professional life coach, a mentor, and soon to be a publishing author. She believes in work–life balance as a state of equilibrium in which demands of personal life, professional life, and family life are equal.
You can connect with Dr. Ikea Bello on her website and on social media: Instagram and Facebook.
You can also listen at any and all of the following places: online, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Sticher, Google Play Music, Tunein, Spreaker, Blubrry, Digital Podcast, Deezer,  Podchaser, Afrotivity, and the Sono App (no link).  If there’s a podcast player you prefer that isn’t listed here, let me know and I’ll see if I can submit my podcast there. But that’s not all! You can also find updates about the I Am African Podcast right here on Verastic. See for yourself.

BEFORE YOU GO, PLEASE RATE AND LEAVE A WRITTEN REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS. THANK YOU!

Let's connect:
I Am African on InstagramI Am African on Twitter

My people! I am here to prove to you that divorced dads who are dating do exist! It took me so long to find a divorced dad willing to speak to me about his dating life. But then Goziem happened. He was introduced to me by a mutual friend, Eloka, and the rest is history.
As a divorced mom, I know what dating is like. But I did not know and what I wanted to know was how it was for a divorced dad. While I know that Goziem does not speak for every divorced dad who is dating, I know that there are many who will hear him and relate to him, and maybe learn something from him. You can connect with Goziem on Facebook.

BEFORE YOU GO, PLEASE RATE AND LEAVE A WRITTEN REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS. THANK YOU!

Let's connect:
I Am African on InstagramI Am African on TwitterI Am African on FacebookVera Ezimora on InstagramVera Ezimora on TwitterVera Ezimora on FacebookMonthly love notes in your emailWeb: www.verastic.comEmail: iamafrican@verastic.com

Conversations are important, especially with people who are different from you. As a Christian girl, it was important for me to have this conversation with Ruth Marimo, an African Atheist - because at the end of the day, no matter who we serve (or don't serve), we are still humans with blood running through our veins.
Today's guest, Ruth Marimo, isn't new to the podcast. She first came on the podcast in episode 18 where she talked about emotional resilience. It. Was. So. Powerful! Check that episode out here. I promise you that you will feel inspired, motivated, and empathetic. Go listen to it when you are busy making children up and down.
Ruth Marimo is a 40-year-old single mom. She has authored two books: (1) a memoir titled ‘Outsider: Crossing Borders, Breaking Rules, Gaining pride’, which chronicles her immigration journey from her country of origin, Zimbabwe, as well as the complexities of being a multiple minority, and (2) a work of fiction titled ‘Indelicate Things.’ She has a residential and commercial cleaning business called Ruth’s Cleaning Service that has been growing for 6 years.  When she is not busy raising her two kids, she speaks and fights for many causes including racial inequality, immigration reform, and LGBTQ equality.
Connect with Ruth Marimo on her personal Facebook page, on Instagram, on Twitter, and on Facebook. Also, please watch her TEDx talk.
 BEFORE YOU GO, PLEASE RATE AND LEAVE A WRITTEN REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS. THANK YOU!

Let's connect:
I Am African on InstagramI Am African on TwitterI Am African on FacebookVera Ezimora on InstagramVera Ezimora on TwitterVera Ezimora on FacebookMonthly love notes in your emailWeb: www.verastic.comEmail: iamafrican@verastic.com