The Black and Irish Podcast: Recent Episodes
RTÉ
Join Leon Diop, Femi Bankole, Amanda Ade and Boni Odoemene as they talk to a variety of remarkable people about the lives of black people living in Ireland. Through conversations with truly inspiring individuals, they explore the culture and identity, along with the struggles and successes of the black Irish community. All told through their personal stories and experiences.
Activist Jojo Jackson speaks to Leon about discovering her Irish connections, her work with My Block, My Hood, My City, and the importance of meaningful friendships to break down barriers. This episode was recorded in August 2023 during the Milwaukee Irish Festival.
DJ and Musician R3D joins his good friend Leon for a chat about his eponymous club night 'R3D's House', the current state of nightlife in Ireland today, and the reasons why he's decided to emigrate.
Nigerian Lawyer Moyinoluwa Adelakun and activist Funmilayo Oni speak about their scholarship at UCD. They discuss why they are passionate about human rights and give Leon and Femi a lesson on the political and electoral system in Nigeria. The episode was recorded in March 2023 at the time of the Nigerian Presidential Election.
Mullingar rapper Shaq and his manager Damz sit down with Leon to discuss how their working relationship has impacted the creative process. They also discuss the Irish rap scene, the underground, and how young aspiring rappers should approach the music industry.
A special episode ahead of the first Black & Irish town hall event on July 15th called Finding Your Voice. Leon discusses the political landscape in Ireland for the black Irish community with Eric Ehige and Munachi Soribe. Event registration info is on the Black & Irish Instagram page.
Leon Diop is joined by Ronn Mapwata and Happiness Omochere as they detail how they came to be front and centre on-stage during US President Joe Biden's historic address in Ballina, County Mayo in April 2023.
Record producer, owner of Jungle Beam Studios and Entrepreneur, Simba Bianchi sits down with Femi and Leon to discuss emerging talent in Ireland. He reflects on the influence his childhood has had on his career, plus his aims for the future.
Aisha Bolaji, Rachel Wren and Elizabeth Ade join Leon to discuss their careers in Film and TV, the essential role diversity plays in their industry, and the importance of the upcoming Catalyst International Film Festival, which takes place in Limerick this March and April.
Celebrating the Dublin International Film Festival, Femi and Leon are joined by the Nigerian writer, director and actor Derek Ugochukwu. He discusses his 2021 award-winning and BAFTA Shortlisted film 'To All My Darlings' and his new work 'You're Not Home', as well as his path to being a writer and director.
Artist Manager Joel Safo joins Femi and Leon for a chat about his life and career, his experience managing Irish success stories such as Offica and A92, and the qualities he believes are needed to break through in the music business.
Umoja Linn founders, Liswa McDonald and China Soribe about the beginning of their friendship at the University of Galway, the struggles and successes of creating their hub for Afrocentric fashion brands and why a 'shift' can cause a little embarrassment.
In the first of two episodes focusing on the fashion industry, entrepreneur and creator of Branded Royal, Faroq Balogun speaks about his childhood in Dublin, the motivation which drove him to start his own brand, and the plans for growing his company.
Fresh from her performance on The Late Late Show, Tosin Bankole sits down for an in-depth chat with none other than her older brother Femi. They explore her musical roots from childhood in Dundalk through to her stunning performances as Aretha Franklin and her plans for the future.
Recorded live at the BTYSTE 2023. Leon, Amanda and Kenny share stories of how their education brought them to where they are today, but who loves science the most? Leon reveals his 'biggest regret' from his school days plus the team shares superfacts about their most inspirational black scientists.
Recorded live at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition, 2023. Rachel and Joy join Leon and Kenny to discuss their award-winning app 'Memory Haven' revealing the path they took as teenagers, to win the international Technovation award in 2020.
Leon, Amanda, Femi and Kenny are back to preview the 2022 BIG Awards, plus they have details of exciting new podcast episodes in 2023.
The series comes to a close with hosts Boni, Amanda, Femi and Leon discussing some fascinating historical figures who have helped influence and shape Black and Irish history.
Dr Ebun Joseph and Claudia Hoareau join Femi and Leon for an interesting discussion on what exactly systemic racism is and what steps need to be taken to address it.
Join hosts Leon and Femi as they chat to teachers Emer O’Neill and Briana Fitzsimons about Racism in schools - what to look out for, how to deal with it and how to stop it.
Leon and Femi are joined by FG Councillor Yemi Adenuga and political coordinator for Black and Irish Eric Ehigie to explore and chat about the opportunities/challenges of getting involved in Irish Politics if you are part of the Black and Irish Community
Alicia Raye and Sello join Boni and Amanda to examine the Black Irish music scene, from accents to the struggles of establishing as an artist, as well as giving their take on some of the best artists around today.
Femi and Amanda are joined by spoken word artist Felispeaks and Irish language activist/broadcaster Ola Majekodunmi to chat about their own journeys and experiences of working in the Arts .
Amanda and Boni are joined by “Pints of Malt" Hosts Kenny and Femi in this episode which dives into the Subculture lived by Africans here in Ireland as they explore the influences particularly in their humour, music and food.
Boni’s Dad Albert Odoemene and Amanda’s "Aunty" Tonye Benson Olatunde join the podcast as they chat about the challenges of bringing up a family in Ireland, raising teenagers in a traditional African Home and balancing African and Irish Culture.
Join Boni and Amanda as they explore the African Culture with Leadership Consultant Toluwani Akaehomen. Discover the reasons behind certain traditions and why all Elders are referred to as “Uncle” and “Aunty”.
Series 2 kicks off with an exploration of the Black & Irish identity. Featuring hosts Leon Diop, Femi Bankole, Amanda Ade and Boni Odoemene
In the final episode of the series, Amanda talks to sociologist Dr Lucy Michael, an expert on Racism and Integration about her work with INAR and the setting up of iReport an online platform where you can report incidences of Racism in Ireland , how Allyship needs to be developed and engaged and understanding the importance of unconscious bias.
Leon Diop, Femi Bankole, Amanda Ade, and Boni Odoemene get together via Zoom for a festive catch-up, discussing the impact that 2020 has had on their own lives, and the lives of the Black & Irish Community. They also discuss the importance of staying connected, plus they reveal their own families' Christmas traditions.
Femi Bankole chats with Timi about how he forged his career, media representation and his hopes for his son.
Amanda chats with writer, academic, and broadcaster Emma Dabiri about her renowned book 'Don't Touch My Hair', the importance of representation, and what it truly means to be Irish.
Actress Jade Jordan chats with Leon Diop about her path to working in London, the importance of returning home to Dublin and she tells of how capturing her grandmother's story has inspired her.
Join Boni Odoemene as he chats to fitness influencer Paul Olima about growing up in Dublin, gaining respect through sport and the differences between living in Dublin and London.
Dr Monica Peres : Join Femi Bankole as he speaks to GP Dr Monica Peres about coming to Ireland at the age of sixteen , the challenges of accessing education, going to the Gaeltacht in Donegal and her passion for doing a job she loves.
Join Boni as he chats to Ben Butler, a mixed race father of two from Dublin . Ben speaks of feeling resentment towards people who looked like him and how he can now play his part in making Ireland far more welcoming and hospitable for all.
Join Amanda Ade as she speaks with Sophie Okpara about her experience of being a minority student, her feelings on completing the first Black Studies module at an Irish university, the importance of her faith, and how education is essential to bring about change.
Join Leon Diop as he talks to Dafe Orugbo aka Max Zanga from the hip-hop band Tebi Rex. Leon and Max met at university and in this episode they share their experiences of growing up as black and mixed-race in Ireland, meeting at uni, and Max shares his experience of being on The Late Late Show.
Join Leon Diop, Femi Bankole, Amanda Ade and Boni Odoemene as they talk to a variety of people – about the culture, language and identity of the Black Irish Community living in Ireland today.