Doors of Africa Podcast: Recent Episodes
Betty Balaba
Hi ! I'm Betty Balaba. Each week in the Doors of Africa Podcast I'll be celebrating the African Diaspora, and meeting some of the amazing people who can trace their roots and cultures to the continent. How are they using their time, talents, and treasures?
Betty chats with Judge Rose, who moved from Africa to the US, completed law school, worked in the private sector and then served for many years in Washington, DC., as an Administrative Law Judge. She talks about her work, her travels, and her plans for retirement.
Janelle Victry arrived in the United Kingdom as a young woman from a small Caribbean island, with 75 English Pounds, determined to fulfill her dream of becoming a nurse.
Her only friend in London failed to show up as arranged at the airport. She wound up sleeping with the drug addicts outside the Westminster Cathedral.
Hear her amazing conversation with Betty. She fought back to become an established professional in the British National Health Service, and a strong advocate for women and minorities in the north London community where she now lives.
Betty wraps up Season One with a reflection on the amazing people of the African Diaspora who've appeared on the show. From journalists, to entrepreneurs, to doctors and a female judge. And she looks forward to Season Two.
Do you know someone who would be a great guest? Want to let us know what you think about the show? Visit and join the Doors of Africa Facebook Group!
Christine is the Founder of the Social Scoop® where she helps small businesses (primarily mompreneurs) harness the power of social media to grow their business and brand. Through her blog (MomsNCharge.com), she has traveled to places such as Disney and the beautiful islands of Turks and Caicos to write about events, travel & social media trends.
As an award-winning entrepreneur and content creator, she was also an instructor in the Steve Harvey Success Institute for 4 years (where she taught blogging and social media for entrepreneurs). Her work has been featured in numerous local and national TV and media outlets.
Mwiza C.K. Munthali is a Malawian-born radio host who can be heard in Washington, DC. on WPFW - the Pacifica station in the United States.
He tells Betty about his journey from Malawi, his non-profit work for the African Diaspora, his involvement with the AFI Silver Theater in Maryland, and his hopes for the future of understanding between nations and creeds.
For bonus questions visit DoorsofAfricaPodcast.Supercast.com
Doctor Okoro served in the United States Navy after arriving from Nigeria. Then he launched his own practice in plastic surgery in Georgia. He tells Becky about his journey, his dedication to his work both in the US and Nigeria, and what it takes to succeed.
Vee chats with Betty about her journey from single-Mum to award-winning marketer, and what it took her to succeed in sales, leading to the launch of her own award-winning marketing business.
https://www.insight2marketing.com/
Bonus questions can be heard at
https://www.doorsofafricapodcast.supercast.com
Tabisa “Tabi” Taliwaku Kalisa is the Communications Manager for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA’s) Office of Procurement (OP) in Washington, DC. She's responsible for implementing the Agency’s acquisition workforce's internal and external communication suite, brand and media strategy.
She chats with Betty about coming from Uganda, and the tenacity it takes to succeed at work in the United States.
This week Betty chats with jewelry designer Hayley Kruger, who hails from Southern Africa, lived in London, and now resides in the English Cotswolds. Hayley prides herself on using fair trade gold, which safeguards the welfare of independent miners in Africa and South America. She tells Betty about her journey from Africa to Europe, and from college to successful businesswoman.
Leah Simpson has sometimes been the only journalist of color in some of the newsrooms she's worked in.
A British journalist, now with the Daily Mail Online in New York, she has experience working in London, Los Angeles, New York and Dubai for international publications including the South China Morning Post, Time Out, POPSUGAR, HELLO! and OK!
Head to Supercast.com for the full episode.
Audrey Williams is a British Floral and Interior Designer and entrepreneur. In this episode, she tells Betty how much she loves the beauty of flowers, but that teaching her customers how to arrange and care for them is her biggest joy.
This week African-Americans celebrate Kwanzaa, a 7-day festival to honor universal African heritage and culture. People light a kinara (candle holder with seven candles) and give each other gifts. But Kwanzaa's inception may surprise you. Veronica Slater, an entrepreneur, podcaster and actress, explains it's roots.
This week, Betty chats with Carol Brown - entrepreneur, hair stylist and owner of O'Natreal hair products. Her inspiration comes from nurturing her childrens' hair, which led her on a journey across the globe to develop a series of pioneering, plant-based hair products.
Visit https://doorsofafricapodcast.supercast.com/ for the full episode.
Betty and guest-host Ericka chat with author and chef Suzanne Kirlu (Kirly-Sue) about becoming a vegetarian, the simple and delicious recipes she makes, and how children can find nourishing and tasty veggie food.
Visit https://doorsofafricapodcast.supercast.com/ for the full episode.
To celebrate Thanksgiving, Betty chats with two people from the Diaspora how they enjoy a uniquely American occasion.
For the full conversations, visit
https://doorsofafricapodcast.supercast.com/
Serengeti Gallery, Maryland
This week, Betty and guest host Ericka introduce Wisson West, the owner of the Serengeti Gallery in Capitol Heights, Maryland.
Wisson's aim is to bring African art and culture to the eastern United States and to educate children on the heritage of the diaspora.
TO HEAR THE FULL EPISODE, visit
https://doorsofafricapodcast.supercast.com/
Ericka and Betty
Hi, I'm Betty, and welcome to the Doors of Africa Podcast. In this show Premiere, I chat with guest-host Ericka Brown about the people and issues we'll be reaching in each weekly show. Stay tuned!