One 54 Podcast

David Oyelowo joins One54 Africa for a conversation about identity, family, faith, Hollywood, and the stories that shape culture. The acclaimed actor, producer, director, and founder of Mansa reflects on his Nigerian roots, explaining the royal history behind the Oyelowo name, growing up between the United Kingdom and Nigeria, and how returning to Nigeria as a child transformed his confidence and sense of belonging. He shares how h...

Bozoma Saint John joins One54 Africa Podcast for an inspiring conversation about African identity, cultural pride, global marketing, and building a legacy that extends far beyond corporate success.

Bozoma Saint John reflects on her Ghanaian roots and upbringing across Ghana, Kenya, and the United States, sharing how family history, Ghanaian traditions, language, food, and the lasting effects of colonization shaped her worldview. Sh...

Alfred Kainga joins One54 Africa for a hilarious and thought-provoking conversation about growing up in Zimbabwe, navigating colonial influence, and building a comedy career that has taken him across the world.

Alfred reflects on life in Zimbabwe after British colonization, sharing how English names, language restrictions in school, and cultural divisions shaped his upbringing. He opens up about balancing life between the hood and ...

Remi Adeleke joins One54 Africa for one of the most unbelievable stories ever told on the podcast.

Born into wealth in Nigeria, Remi reflects on growing up as the son of a powerful businessman whose vision and engineering plans helped create the land that became Banana Island in Lagos. He opens up about his father’s fight against government corruption, the mysterious circumstances surrounding his death, and how his fam...

Bassem Youssef joins One54 Africa for a hilarious and deeply insightful conversation on identity, culture, comedy, and the complexities of modern Egypt.

The Egyptian heart surgeon turned political satirist reflects on building the most watched television show in Egyptian history, navigating censorship, and using humor as a form of resistance and truth-telling. Often called “The Jon Stewart of the Middle East,” Bassem op...

Yaya DaCosta joins One54 Africa for a powerful conversation on identity, culture, and what it truly means to belong.

The actress, model, and global traveler reflects on growing up in Harlem in a deeply conscious, activist household and how that shaped her understanding of Black identity across the diaspora. She opens up about her lineage — spanning West Africa, Brazil, and the Caribbean — and how those roots influenced ...

Korra Obidi joins One54 Africa for a raw, unfiltered conversation about identity, culture, and carving your own path.

The Nigerian singer, dancer, and global performer opens up about growing up in Lagos, strict upbringing under a military household, and how that shaped her discipline and mindset. She reflects on starting out in Nollywood, the grind behind the industry, and what it really takes to build visibility in Nigeria....

Tiffany Haddish joins One54 Africa for one of her most personal conversations yet — opening up about identity, grief, and healing.

From growing up without her father to eventually finding him later in life, Tiffany shares the emotional journey that shaped who she is today. She reflects on reconnecting with her Eritrean roots, traveling to Africa, and the powerful sense of belonging she feels on the continent.

Sh...

David Otunga joins One54 Africa for a powerful conversation on identity, loss, and reinvention.

Born to a Kenyan father and American mother, Otunga reflects on his father’s journey to the U.S. through the historic African Airlift program — and the discipline and values that shaped his upbringing. He opens up about the devastating loss of his father just as he was accepted into Harvard Law School, and how that moment fue...

NFL legend Christian Okoye joins One54 for a powerful conversation on legacy, identity, and resilience.

Known as “The Nigerian Nightmare,” Okoye shares his incredible journey from growing up in Nigeria during the Biafran War to becoming one of the most dominant running backs in NFL history.

He reflects on discovering American football late, overcoming cultural barriers, and rising to prominence with the Ka...

Neo-soul pioneer Goapele joins the One54 Africa Podcast for a powerful conversation on identity, legacy, and building a career on her own terms.

Born to a South African father who fled apartheid and a German-Jewish mother, Goapele reflects on growing up in Oakland, navigating race and belonging, and uncovering the untold stories of her family’s past.

She opens up about the silence surrounding apartheid trauma, t...

World-renowned chef Marcus Samuelsson joins One54 for a powerful conversation on identity, resilience, and building a global legacy through food.

Born in Ethiopia and adopted into a Swedish family, Marcus shares his journey from surviving childhood illness and loss to growing up in Sweden and navigating racism at a young age. He opens up about reconnecting with his Ethiopian roots, meeting his biological father later in life...

Mr. Olympia champion Samson Dauda joins One54 for a powerful conversation about discipline, identity, and what it takes to become the best in the world.

Born in Nigeria and raised in the UK, Samson shares his journey from strict boarding school life to discovering rugby, fitness, and ultimately bodybuilding. He opens up about the discipline ingrained in Nigerian culture, the culture shock of moving to the UK, and how those e...

Joy Reid joins the show for a wide-ranging conversation on politics, history, and the global Black experience. The discussion begins with the 2024 election, Donald Trump, and shifting global power dynamics, including whether the world is entering a “China Century” as America faces growing political division.

Reid reflects on her groundbreaking career as the first Black woman to host a primetime cable news show and share...

Dr. Donald Grant, Akbar, and Godfrey come together for an expansive and thought-provoking conversation on mental health, accountability, culture, and personal evolution. Bringing together clinical expertise, lived experience, and sharp cultural commentary, the trio dives deep into the emotional realities shaping relationships, identity, and public life.

Dr. Grant offers insight into trauma, emotional regulation, and the stigma surr...

Learnmore Jonasi joins the show for a powerful and hilarious conversation about resilience, identity, and finding purpose through pain. Born and raised in Chimanimani, Zimbabwe, Learnmore reflects on growing up in a small mountain village surrounded by farmland, animals, and community—a childhood rich in freedom and simplicity, even amid economic hardship.

He opens up about Zimbabwe’s devastating 2008 hyperinflation cri...

Vic Mensa joins One54 for a powerful conversation about identity, activism, and reconnecting the African diaspora.

Born Victor Kwasi Mensah, Vic reflects on growing up on Chicago’s South Side and living near figures like Barack Obama and Minister Farrakhan. He opens up about race, redlining, and navigating culture as a Ghanaian-American artist.

Vic also discusses launching the Black Star Line Festival in Ghana a...

Boris Kodjoe joins the show for an expansive conversation on identity, culture, and purpose. Born to a Ghanaian father and German mother, Boris opens up about growing up Black in Germany, navigating racism, learning English later in life, and the intentional work it took to build a career in Hollywood.

He reflects on his deep connection to Ghana, the emotional impact of returning to Africa, and why reconnecting with ancestry...

Academy Award nominee Gabourey Sidibe joins the One54 Africa Podcast for an honest and reflective conversation about identity, heritage, and life beyond Precious.

Gabourey opens up about how Precious shaped the way the world sees her, while sharing what it was like growing up Senegalese American in Brooklyn and carrying a name deeply rooted in West African culture. She reflects on reconnecting with her ancestry through travel ...