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This episode of Impact Africa features the founder of Africa Memory Game, Paulette Mpouma. She speaks on her organization's effort to educate people about Africa and emphasizes the significance of Africans (and people of African descent) embracing their African heritage. Paulette is the main organizer of the Teaching Africa Day event. This year's event will be held on Saturday, September 17th and tickets are being sold on Eventbrite. 

In this episode of Impact Africa, Tope Fajingbesi chats with Morenike Obaleye Collins, the amazing founder of The Women Empowerment Platform, a new organization dedicated to uplifting women in all spheres of life. TWED platform is committed to helping women overcome emotional and mental barriers, at the same time helping to provide economic independence for women. In short, there is something for every woman!

What better way to solve problems than to get the perspective of those actually experiencing them. On this episode of Impact Africa, Karen Sai talks about transforming the status quo of philanthropy work in Africa. Many western organizations/donors support the development of Africa as the continent has a lot to offer with regards to fostering efficient utilization of resources. However, Africans are rarely included in the strategic dialogue to help shape development on the continent. Karen Sai is the executive director of the African Philanthropy Network. African Philanthropy Network (APN) is a broad network of African grantmaking organizations and other philanthropic entities that facilitates networking and experience-sharing among established and emerging African philanthropic institutions. APN aims at consolidating the voice for African philanthropy to address social injustice and development issues on the continent.

Rape/sexual abuse is a common and demoralizing epidemic in Nigeria and many other African countries. Majority of sexual abuse victims are denied their rights and any form of justice due to the indifference governments and communities associate with this heinous crime. In Nigeria, the general mindset on managing rape cases frequently leads to assigning blame on victims, which thereby promotes a culture of silence amongst rape victims. Evon Idahosa is an attorney and the founder of pathfinders justice initiative. Pathfinders Justice initiative is dedicated to supporting and rehabilitating victims of sexual abuse, usually women and children. This organization is also heavily involved in changing the general perception of sexual abuse amongst Nigerians (men, women and children) in an attempt to reduce its prevalence. Evon and her team have launched novel campaigns to help victims realize their rights, help them speak out against their attackers and also expose them to resources to help defend themselves.

Imagine how much better the world will be if people are raised to believe that they...are beautiful...strong...smart...can do whatever they set their mind to...can be great...are simply enough. This episode of Impact Africa features two phenomenal brothers, Adam and Uswege, who are championing the 'positive transformation of young people movement' in Tanzania and the world. Adam and Uswege of Renew talk about the origins of their work. They go on to talk about how they are working to inspire young people and share heartfelt stories of some students. Adam Rubin and Uswege Mwakapango are the duo who brought about the conception of Renew, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to helping young people realize their potential and helping them become positive contributors to their communities. Renew holds seminars ranging from teaching crucial life skills to leadership for students. This remarkable organization has worked with over 1000 youths in Tanzania.

On this episode of Impact Africa, I talk about the  African Grant-makers Affinity Group (AGAG) retreat that I fortunate to attend last month (April). I was able to participate in this forum courtesy of One World Children's Fund (OWCF). The retreat focused on how to get Africans in diaspora more involved in the development of Africa. Panel discussions also focused on that challenges affecting grant makers/seekers and issues impacting philanthropy in Africa. One World Children's Fund (OWCF) is an organization dedicated to people/organizations globally involved in supporting children. OWCF promotes grant making, capacity building and exposure to support charity organizations. The Africa Grantmakers’ Affinity Group (AGAG) is a network of people/organizations funding efforts that benefit Africa and Africans. AGAG offers new and experienced funders opportunities to build strong professional relationships and deepen their understanding of current trends to help make better strategic funding decisions.

We are aware of the dire reality that many African children living in poverty are deprived of basic rights like education. And that young Africans who come to the U.S. to study find it hard to pay for school or have limited access to good career prospects. This episode of impact Africa features the phenomenal Rachyda Oumate of Lift Togo, who works relentlessly to develop and enhance educational opportunities for Togolese youths in Togo and the U.S.  Rachyda Oumate is the president of Lift Togo, a non-profit organization committed to providing assistance to the underserved children in Togo and other African countries. Rachyda and her colleagues also mentor and provide resources for students in the U.S. who immigrated from Togo.

We often hear about middle-aged people getting attention for their commitment to global development. This episode of Impact Africa features the young and bright Brennon Thompson talking about his experience executing a sustainable sanitation project in Kenya. He goes on to explain current efforts with a Kenyan community and non-profit organizations towards creating locally made hand sanitizers. Brennon's insightful conversation with Tope Fajingbesi will surely keep you smiling. Brennon is a student of International Studies and Development at American University's School of International Service. Brennon and his team are dedicated to sustainable global development. Brennon founded The Floor Project along with a friend in 2012. His team has successful completed projects in countries like Jamaica and Nicaragua.

Has the depreciation trend for the Naira got you worried? On this educative episode of Impact Africa, Bash Balogun explains how practical solutions like diversification and buying locally made products can significantly improve the Nigerian economy. She goes on to provide her outlook on the importance of raising kids today to become successful adults. Bash's discussion with Tope Fajingbesi will totally keep you captivated. Bash B is a proud SAHM (Stay at home Mom), relationship expert, blogger extraordinaire behind Bashrrr, and finomics (finance and economics) guru. She is the COO, CFO, Treasurer, Head of Admin and Project Manager of her Household.

Impact Africa returns for the 4th season with an exclusive and most inspiring interview with Queen Ahneva Ahneva, the creative genius behind the wearable art gallery. Queen left the comfort and certainty of her base in The USA to embrace her African heritage. Her discussion with Tope Fajingbesi will inspire you to find and embrace your purpose in the continent as well.

On this special episode of Impact Africa, the last for the year 2015, Tope Fajingbesi interviews the amazing and highly motivated Salima Visram whose desire to alleviate the suffering of children in rural Kenya led to the creation of the Soular backpack project. Salima’s ability to conceive and implement this solution is yet another inspiring proof that once we conquer our mind, we can conquer the world. Without an engineering/other technical back ground, Salima created a solution that converts the long miles children trek to go to school to school to an innovative solution for clean and safe energy.   You will be insired to Impact Africa after listening to her.     We thank you for your support in 2015, wish you a safe and enjoyable Christmas holiday season and a prosperous 2016. We hope to return to the airwaves on January 10 2016 with an inspiring line up of guests to get you motivated to consider Africa n development a personal priority.    

How did you choose your career path when you were 16, 17 or 18? And how are you as a parent influencing your children's career path? What type of exposure are African youths getting when making the critical choice that will impact their lives and communities for decades to come? Meet the super inspiring duo of Kerry Omughelli, an Engineer and Temini Ajayi - a doctor in training who are making this path easier for tons of Nigerian teens and their families. The address so many critical and sensitive areas through their non profit organization - Grow with Nigeria. They will certainly change the way you look at many issues including unemployment in Nigeria. Tope also interviews another Phenomenal and super inspiring African woman who will certainly inspire you. Vivian Elebiyo is a super mom, media personality, an author and inventor of a product every woman who gets pregnant will love to hear about. Vivian says she is a serial entrepreneur, I say she is a super woman! You will be inspired to impact Africa.    

Who decides to move from their home country to the cold and unfamiliar territory of Ukraine to pursue their dreams and teach the world about Nigeria through the most powerful means - Folktales? Perhaps talented artists like Kingsley Nwabia, who is the first guest set to welcome you back after a month's break on today's episode of Impact Africa. Tope also interviews Phenomenal African Woman Portia Keletliwe, a multi talented super woman from South Africa who manages to excel in every single thing that she does from being a mom to being a publisher, radio host, speaker and much more.      You will be inspired to Impact Africa.

The Council of Young African Leaders' Director of Programming, Loukman Lamany discusses plans for the Council's upcoming symposium in conjunction with the City University of New York on November 6th and 7th. Taiwo Adepoju, the founder of the Phenomenal African Women Foundation discusses his motivation for launching such an amazing platform for women. Africa 101 is also back with Sameeha Oke teaching us about the West African country of Togo. You will be inspired to Impact Africa.

On today's episode, Tope Fajingbesi hosts Dr. Lolade Adeyemi, the COO of Magna Carta Health about the organization's proactive intervention to Africa's healthcare challenges. Nigerians in diaspora can now send a different type of cash to family and loved ones back home. Want to know how to proactively invest in your mother/father/siblings' health? Then listen to this episode of Impact Africa.  You will also learn about Liberia from Farouq and Maryam Gbadamosi in today's Africa 101 segment. You will be surprised about what you didn't know about this country of resilient and determined people.

I cannot believe its taken almost 3 years to host my favorite charity on the show, but it finally happens on today's episode of Impact Africa. My guest is Aameenah Yunus-Ali, the hardworking program manager of United for Kids Foundation. Aameenah shares heart moving testimonies including John Nwafor's story of determination and resilience. You will also get all the information you need to support the foundation.   Africa 101 is back and we are still catching them young. Our contestants this week, Taslim Raji and Jimi Fatoki are teaching us about Botswana. You don't want to miss it. You will be inspired to Impact Africa for sure!

On today's episode of Impact Africa, Tope does a recap of the Africa America Institute Gala and Awards ceremony, which took place in New York City on September 29th.In addition to giving you a run down of the night's events, you will also listen to her interview with the representatives of IBM, which won the AAI 2015 Corporate Responsibility Award. You will be introduced to two amazing friends of Africa - Sean Barlow (founder) and Rosemary Pritzker (board member) of Afropop, the Peabody award recipient that's taking African music to great places.    And the icing on the cake this week is our chat with former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who in spite of his security detail and hectic schedule that night, sent some warm wishes to our audience and expressed his opinion on the performance of Nigeria's current President, General Muhammadu Buhari so far. Be sure to check out our gallery of photos courtesy of Chocolate Photography. Africa 101 is back and it's not just 1 kid this week but 3 kid contestants going head to head to teach us about Kenya. You will be inspired to Impact Africa!

They say when life hands you a lemon make a lemonade, but my guest today went a step further. Life handed her a daughter diagnosed with down syndrome, and instead of staying down and out, she decided to transform her daughters life, bring out her abilities and now she is doing same for other children in Nigeria. You will be inspired to Impact Africa after listening to Tola Makinde, the founder of Morainbow Foundation. Africa 101 is also back and our amazing contestant today is young and smart! Her name is Labiba Balogun and she is going to teach us about Rwanda. How well do you know Rwanda? Take the quiz along with Labiba to find out!

Why is a continent made up of 1 billion people lacking creative and intreresting entertainment for its youth? Why is Africa, in spite of her rich cultural heritage largely importing children's entertainment? Well, my guest on today's show decided to stop asking these questions, instead he is creating the solution, and that solution - Bino and Fino is taking the entire continent by storm. Not only is the Bino and Fino "fever" gaining momentum on home TV screens in Africa and abroad, the team is also releasing a new line of toys that will make embracing the black child even easier and more fun. Africa 101 is back, and we are still catching them young. Today's contestant is Lufia Balogun and she did a fantastic job with the quiz on Mali. You have got to listen to her. You will be inspired to Impact Africa for sure!