In this episode, I speak candidly about my grandparents moving from the South to the Midwest; my own move from the Midwest to the West Coast and the beginning of my journey from the West Coast to the Caribbean in search of refuge from the abuse America perpetuates against black and brown people.   --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/diaspora-diaries/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/diaspora-diaries/support

Opal E. Franklin is a ball of positivity but her life hasn't been a road paved with yellow bricks.  In this episode, she shares the nuances of code switching "proper English" and AAVE as she navigated between everyday home life with her white adopted parents and the relationship with her biological family. We also get into how she honors her ancestors by continuing to push forward with owning her narrative through storytelling, the struggle with fitting her long name on legal docs and finding her place in tech as a diversity and equity advocate. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/diaspora-diaries/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/diaspora-diaries/support

Shackysha Renee joins episode three to dissect Sheneneh Jenkins' impact on representation of black names, being given unnecessary nicknames and learning to stand firm regardless of other people's comfort.   GUEST INFO: Instagram: @___4everblessed___ (personal) | @womanup.enterprise |  @lights.ple4se (podcast) Facebook: Shackysha Dezonie (personal) and Woman Up Enterprise Website: www.womanupenterprise.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/diaspora-diaries/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/diaspora-diaries/support

Episode 2 features Ajaeé Shepard, an interior designer with a knack for design and walking in her purpose.  She shares how her name made her even more ambitious and the courage to correct others as a means to defend her culture. GUEST INFO: Instagram:  @a.e.n.s (personal) | @alabstudio (business) ____ WEBSITE: www.thediasporadiaries.com INSTAGRAM:@diaspora.diaries --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/diaspora-diaries/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/diaspora-diaries/support

Welcome to the first episode featuring my mom, Robin Smith.  We discuss  why black names matter, the fact that our people LOVE nicknames, the importance of saying the names of our slain brothers and sisters during protests and whether or not I can call her  "Mom" or by her first name. WEBSITE: www.thediasporadiaries.com INSTAGRAM: @diaspora.diaries --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/diaspora-diaries/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/diaspora-diaries/support