When you hear the phrase "The American Dream," at least 5 things come to mind, and I bet you 4 out of those 5 things would also come to the next persons' mind. But, when I say 'The African Dream' ... *silence*. We, especially Africans both at home and in the diaspora, are so overtaken by our need to survive the hardships in Africa that we sometimes forget to stop and DREAM. What is your dream for Africa and the children of Africa? 

What is THE AFRICAN DREAM?

Mentioned In This Episode:

1. Nigeria: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigeria
2. Montana State University (A Night in Africa): a0b5-11ec-8333-cbe1c48baf62.html">https://www.msuexponent.com/culture/a-night-in-africa-challenges-the-single-story-of-a-continent/article_53921eda-a0b5-11ec-8333-cbe1c48baf62.html
3. Wilmot Collins: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilmot_Collins 
4. Umu Igbo Unite Dallas: https://www.instagram.com/p/CbD3SaKrBXE/
5. Aba Women’s Riot: https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/aba-womens-riots-november-december-1929/

Connect:

Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/ Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com Stella Damasus Website : https://www.stelladamasus.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excusemyafrican/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excusemyafrican

March is women's month, and every year we have a different theme, yet our problems are still the same. I will always celebrate the strength and resilience of women. Still, I also look forward to when I can genuinely, happily celebrate women's month. Knowing that Women are finally at a place in this world where we are no longer treated as the weaker gender, where we do not have to fight for our rights, where we are respected and acknowledged in society.

Still, Happy Women's Month!

Mentioned In This Episode:

1. International Women's Day: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/
2. Women's month: https://www.womenshistory.org/womens-history/womens-history-month
3. BRT Bus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bus_rapid_transit
4. Cameroon Crisis: https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/central-africa/cameroon
5. Ukraine Crisis: https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/conflict-ukraine 

In This Episode:

61 years in, and I still find it hard to celebrate Nigeria's Independence wholeheartedly. The events of October 20th, 2020, do not make it any easier, as the first anniversary of the Lekki Toll Gate Massacre is only 19 days away. May the souls of the departed continue to rest in peace.

HOWEVER ...

Despite the failure, greediness, and general gross negligence of our nation's leaders, I have decided that no matter where I go or who I become, I will never forget home, Nigeria. I will never stop fighting and advocating for a better nation.

(Not So) Happy Independence, Nigeria!

Mentioned In This Episode:

1. Lekki Toll Gate Massacre (Oct 20th, 2020): https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/18/africa/lagos-nigeria-lekki-toll-gate-feature-intl/index.html (WARNING: Article Contains Graphic Images)

Connect:

Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/ Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excusemyafrican/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excusemyafrican

In This Episode:

For the longest time, women have been treated poorly around the world, but especially in Africa. A lot of us have been fighting for the rights of WOMEN in Africa for decades. However, at the time, advocacy wasn't an 'in thing.' We were insulted and referred to as what is known as 'clout chasers.'

Now, advocacy seems to be an in, and every other day there is a new hashtag. While this is great, because the louder the voice, the better, we need to make sure that we are not just making noise and chasing our tails. We need to change tactics and look inward; change will begin with society first. Mentioned In This Episode:

1. STIWANIST: 80-stiwanist.html">http://www.excusemyafrican.com/2020/12/ep-80-stiwanist.html
2. Aljazeera: https://www.aljazeera.com/
3. Stella Damasus Aljazeera Interview: https://youtu.be/nypkT5OewuA

Connect:

Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/ Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excusemyafrican/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excusemyafrican

In This Episode:

AFRICA! WAKE UP! We've allowed false prophets preaching false religion to take advantage of us for too long. These false Pastors make some of you do demeaning things with false promises of riches and healing.

Open your eyes, don't be deceived.

Mentioned In This Episode:

1. Uganda: https://www.netflix.com/
2. Geoffrey Ssemwogerere
3. Glory Sinai Ministries
4. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/
5. Bible: https://www.bible.com/

Connect: Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/ Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excusemyafrican/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excusemyafrican

In This Episode:

The education system in Africa has always been a bit flawed to me. Even when I was in school, I felt that the workload was too much. We were forced to do almost 20-25 subjects each school year. Yet, some fundamental subjects such as leadership skills, human rights, etc., are missing from the curriculum.

I think it's time we restructure our curriculum in Africa, especially for high school kids.

Connect:

Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/ Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excusemyafrican/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excusemyafrican

In This Episode:

I was born and raised in Africa, and over the years, I've realized that as Africans, we tend to prefer foreign products to our own products. We would rather spend thousands and millions on something made on another continent, and honestly, I think this is a habit we need to shake off.

How do we expect our economy to grow when we keep pumping our money into other foreign countries?

Mentioned In This Episode:

1. Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/
2. HBO: https://www.hbo.com/
3. Disney Plus: https://www.disneyplus.com/
4. Hulu: https://www.hulu.com/
5. Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/
6. STARZ: https://www.starz.com/
7. DSTV: https://www.dstvafrica.com/
8. IrokoTV: https://irokotv.com/
9. Nevada Bridge TV: https://www.nevadabridgetv.com/
10. iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/
11. Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/
12. Spotify: https://www.spotify.com/
13. iTunes: https://www.apple.com/itunes/
14. AFKloud: https://www.afkloud.com/
15. ADIVA Magazine: https://adivanetworks.com/adiva-magazine/
16. Essence: https://www.essence.com/
17. Cosmopolitan: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/
18. Vogue: https://www.vogue.com/

Connect: Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/ Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excusemyafrican/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excusemyafrican

In This Episode:

I've always wondered why people send their children to Boarding School. In my opinion, Boarding School should be something kids do for their final year in high school (secondary school) to prepare them for college.

I can not understand why we're so comfortable sending our kids to boarding school during those formative years. With all the grim boarding school tales I've heard, I think it's time to reconsider the whole boarding school structure.

NOTE: This episode contains slightly graphic narrations of Rape and Molestation.

Mentioned In This Episode:

1. Deborah Okezie: https://www.facebook.com/deborah.okezie.16
2. Deeper Life High School (Uyo): https://www.deeperlifehighschool.org/ 
3. Facebook: www.facebook.com

Connect:

Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/ Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com Stella Damasus Website : https://www.stelladamasus.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excusemyafrican/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Excuse-My-African-1360118967397852/

In This Episode:

Growing up, I realized that we were made to feel bad for speaking our own language in school in our country. Unconsciously, we created a situation where we trivialized the importance of speaking your language.

We must change this because our beautiful and diverse African languages are at the risk of extinction. We can't afford to lose our culture and history.

There is dignity in being able to speak and understand your language.

Mentioned In This Episode:

1. Duolingo: https://www.duolingo.com/
2. Igbo Language Going Extinct: 59-igbo-language-going-extinct.html">http://www.excusemyafrican.com/2019/06/ep-59-igbo-language-going-extinct.html
3. Pidgin English: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigerian_Pidgin
4. Read Igbo Challenge: https://fb.watch/2sfYk-nNhi/
5. Rattle Snake Part 3: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1813577/
6. Amaka Igwe: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaka_Igwe
7. Black History Month: https://www.africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/

Connect:

Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/ Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com Stella Damasus Website : https://www.stelladamasus.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excusemyafrican/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Excuse-My-African-1360118967397852/

In This Episode:

STIWANISM addresses the conditions and needs of the continental African woman on the African continent.

I am passionate about advocating for the modern African woman who is strong, smart, and resilient to wake up to the options she has. She should no longer be satisfied with the options created for her even before she was born.

I believe that we should pay more attention to the African woman's experiences and the need to redefine who we truly are and our positions in society.

Mentioned In This Episode:

   1. Stiwanist: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_feminism   2. Domestic Violence: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/domestic-violence   3. Early Child Marriage: https://www.girlsnotbrides.org/about-child-marriage/   4. Stella Damasus Aljazeera Interview: https://youtu.be/nypkT5OewuA   5. Omolara Ogundipe Leslie: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molara_Ogundipe   6. Queen Amina: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amina   7. The Stiwanist: https://www.instagram.com/thestiwanist/

Connect:

Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/ Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com Stella Damasus Website : https://www.stelladamasus.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excusemyafrican/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Excuse-My-African-1360118967397852/