In this powerful episode of Labyrinth of the First Gen , we meet Jeannine , founder of WakaWaka Dance Academy in Lille, France, the city’s largest Afro-diasporic dance school. Born in Cameroon and raised in France, Jeannine shares how she left her 9-to-5 job to create a space for Black and mixed-race girls to reclaim pride, joy, and cultural identity through movement. We talk about the realities of living in a “colorblind” France, building community through dance, and how cultural spaces can ser...
Jun 19, 2025•21 min
In this episode of Labyrinth Map , we sit down with the Electronic Sound Collective, a genre-defying music group born from NYC’s immigrant roots. These first-generation artists blend diasporic rhythms, Afro-Latin influences, and electronic sounds to create music that’s both healing and revolutionary. From playing underground shows during uncertain times to intentionally creating music for peace, the Collective shares how their cultural heritage, migration stories, and life in New York City shape...
Jun 03, 2025•26 min
Discover the transformative story of Ingrid Hu Dahl—educator, queer artist, and author of Sun Shining on Morning Snow . In this powerful episode of Labyrinth of the First Gen , Ingrid shares her journey through identity, grief, and cultural healing as a first-generation, mixed-race daughter raised in a bilingual home. 🎸 From her days as a touring musician to founding Rock ’n’ Roll Camp for Girls, Ingrid explores how storytelling, music, and ancestral memory shape resilience and purpose. 🌀 Topi...
May 27, 2025•30 min
Labyrinth & Ceremonia Hair Products Discount Code at check out LABYRINTHOFTHEFIRTSTGEN ceremonia.com/LABYRINTHOFTHEFIRSTGEN Leave us a voice note at https://www.speakpipe.com/LabyrinthFirstGen Sign up for our newsletter on labyrinthofthegen.com Follow us on Instagram @LabyrinthoftheFirstGen Episode Description: In the season finale of Labyrinth of the First Gen , host Weyu Shameka is joined by Nisani Walser, a passionate Garífuna American from Brooklyn, New York, to discuss the powerful jour...
Oct 08, 2024•40 min
Labyrinth & Ceremonia Hair Products Discount Code at check out LABYRINTHOFTHEFIRTSTGEN ceremonia.com/LABYRINTHOFTHEFIRSTGEN Leave us a voice note at https://www.speakpipe.com/LabyrinthFirstGen Sign up for our newsletter on labyrinthofthegen.com Follow us on Instagram @LabyrinthoftheFirstGen Episode Description In this episode of Labyrinth of the First Gen , we sit down with Fernando, a celebrated musician, educator, and cultural ambassador dedicated to preserving and promoting Afro-Brazilian...
Oct 01, 2024•43 min
Labyrinth & Ceremonia Hair Products Discount Code at check out LABYRINTHOFTHEFIRTSTGEN ceremonia.com/LABYRINTHOFTHEFIRSTGEN Leave us a voice note at https://www.speakpipe.com/LabyrinthFirstGen Sign up for our newsletter on labyrinthofthegen.com Follow us on Instagram @LabyrinthoftheFirstGen Episode Summary: In this episode of Labyrinth of the First Gen , we sit down with Maya Doig-Acuña (she/they), an Afro-Panamanian navigating the intersections of identity, culture, and belonging. Maya refl...
Sep 24, 2024•45 min
Labyrinth & Ceremonia Hair Products Discount Code at check out LABYRINTHOFTHEFIRTSTGEN ceremonia.com/LABYRINTHOFTHEFIRSTGEN Leave us a voice note at https://www.speakpipe.com/LabyrinthFirstGen Sign up for our newsletter on labyrinthofthegen.com Follow us on Instagram @LabyrinthoftheFirstGen This is a Bilingual Episode: English & Spanish Episode Description: In this bilingual episode of Labyrinth of the First Gen , we venture into the heart of Bolivia’s Yungas region to uncover the profou...
Sep 17, 2024•33 min
Labyrinth & Ceremonia Hair Products Discount Code at check out LABYRINTHOFTHEFIRTSTGEN ceremonia.com/LABYRINTHOFTHEFIRSTGEN Leave us a voice note at https://www.speakpipe.com/LabyrinthFirstGen Sign up for our newsletter on labyrinthofthegen.com Follow us on Instagram @LabyrinthoftheFirstGen In this bilingual episode of Labyrinth of the First Gen , host Weyu Shameka sits down with Mercedes, a multi-talented Brazilian from São Paulo, who shares her transformative journey as an economist, coach...
Sep 10, 2024•35 min
Labyrinth & Ceremonia Hair Products Discount Code at check out LABYRINTHOFTHEFIRTSTGEN ceremonia.com/LABYRINTHOFTHEFIRSTGEN Leave us a voice note at https://www.speakpipe.com/LabyrinthFirstGen Sign up for our newsletter on labyrinthofthegen.com Follow us on Instagram @LabyrinthoftheFirstGen Episode Description: In this inspiring episode of Labyrinth of the First Gen , Catalina, a Colombian expat, shares her journey of building a new life in Belgium while navigating the complexities of mother...
Sep 03, 2024•41 min
Labyrinth & Ceremonia Hair Products Discount Code at check out LABYRINTHOFTHEFIRTSTGEN ceremonia.com/LABYRINTHOFTHEFIRSTGEN Leave us a voice note at https://www.speakpipe.com/LabyrinthFirstGen Sign up for our newsletter on labyrinthofthegen.com Follow us on Instagram @LabyrinthoftheFirstGen Episode Description: In this heartfelt episode of Labyrinth of the First Gen , we sit down with Bruna, a Brazilian English teacher who recently relocated with her family to Uruguay. Bruna shares the motiv...
Aug 27, 2024•46 min
Labyrinth & Ceremonia Hair Products Discount Code at check out LABYRINTHOFTHEFIRTSTGEN ceremonia.com/LABYRINTHOFTHEFIRSTGEN Leave us a voice note at https://www.speakpipe.com/LabyrinthFirstGen Sign up for our newsletter on labyrinthofthegen.com Follow us on Instagram @LabyrinthoftheFirstGen Episode Description: In this powerful collaboration episode of Labyrinth of the First Gen , hosts Randie and Mikey of Black Millennial Marriage dive into the challenges and triumphs of love and partnershi...
Aug 20, 2024•51 min
Labyrinth & Ceremonia Hair Products Discount Code at check out LABYRINTHOFTHEFIRTSTGEN ceremonia.com/LABYRINTHOFTHEFIRSTGEN Leave us a voice note at https://www.speakpipe.com/LabyrinthFirstGen Sign up for our newsletter on labyrinthofthegen.com Follow us on Instagram @LabyrinthoftheFirstGen Patreon Link patreon.com/LabyrinthoftheFirstGen Episode Description In this powerful episode, Season 3 of Labyrinth of the First Gen continues its journey into first-generation stories and cultural narrat...
Aug 13, 2024•49 min
Leave us a voice note to share your favorite moments in the episode https://www.speakpipe.com/LabyrinthFirstGen Sign up for our newsletter on the website https://labyrinthfirstgen.com/blog/ Follow us on Instagram @LabyrinthoftheFirstGen Donate to the Labyrinth of the First-Gen In this episode of Labyrinth of the First Gen podcast, we kick off Season 3 with the story of three Bolivian brothers who started the Bolivian Llama Party, a renowned Bolivian-American restaurant in Queens, New York. Hosts...
Aug 06, 2024•49 min
Labyrinth & Ceremonia Hair Products Discount Code at check out LABYRINTHOFTHEFIRTSTGEN ceremonia.com/LABYRINTHOFTHEFIRSTGEN Leave us a voice note at https://www.speakpipe.com/LabyrinthFirstGen Sign up for our newsletter on labyrinthofthegen.com Follow us on Instagram @LabyrinthoftheFirstGen Patreon Link patreon.com/LabyrinthoftheFirstGen Get ready for Season 3 of Labyrinth of the First Gen , your go-to podcast for inspiring stories from first-generation immigrants worldwide. Hosted by Weyu S...
Jun 19, 2024•3 min
Uncover the US Virgin Islands' fight for self-determination in the gripping season finale of "Labyrinth of the First Gen" podcast. Titled "The Journey Towards Self-Determination: US Virgin Islands' Perspective," this episode offers a powerful blend of personal narrative, historical context, and expert analysis. Dr. Sekou, a well-known professor and activist from the Islands, is interviewed providing historical context about political evolution and self-determination struggles in the region. Supp...
Jan 09, 2024•39 min
This Episode is Bilingual Spanish & English This episode features Dorothy Bell Ferrer, a writer, part-time professor at the City University of New York, and a doctoral candidate in Spanish, Latin American, and Caribbean literature at the University of Puerto Rico. Dorothy talks about her journey and experiences as a writer, her approach to identity, and how it influences her writing. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/labyrinth-of-the-first-gen/exclusive-content Advertising Inqu...
Jan 02, 2024•42 min
In this episode of 'Labyrinth of the First Gen, Weyu interviews Rokhaya, a Senegal-born mompreneur based in Jamaica who moved from Canada with a vision to build her own business and break generational curses. Rokhaya shares her experiences of transitioning from a high-paying corporate job to running her own business, adapting to a new culture, battling obstacles, and building patience. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/labyrinth-of-the-first-gen/exclusive-content Advertising Inquir...
Dec 19, 2023•43 min
In this episode of Labyrinth of the First Gen, we delve deep into the foundations, challenges, and future visions of the organization, One L.U.V (Love, Unity, and Victory), working tirelessly to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community in the Virgin Islands and the Caribbean. Through the narratives of One L.U.V board members, Jamal, Jae, and Bobby, we explore topics like generational differences within the community, facing fears, challenges, and the idea of creating safe spaces. Support this podcast a...
Dec 12, 2023•35 min
In this episode, we have a conversation with Jae (he, him; they, them), Bobby (he, him, his), and Jamal (he, him, his) who are the president, social media manager, and board members of One L.U.V (which stands for Love, Unity, and Victory). One L.U.V is an organization focusing on activism, visibility, and allyship education for the black LGBTQ+ community based in St Croix, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Caribbean. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/labyrinth-of-the-first-gen/exclu...
Dec 05, 2023•37 min
Labyrinth of the First Gen continues the conversation with Collective Ilé, an anti-racism organization working in Puerto Rico. Kimberly and Mayra their work on organizing black identity on census data, how the Black Lives Matter movement and tumultuous events of 2020 influenced their approach, and the community's changing self-perception on race in Puerto Rico. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/labyrinth-of-the-first-gen/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.co...
Nov 28, 2023•31 min
Myra and Kimberly are Puerto Rican women from Colectivo Ilé, an organization that has been campaigning against racism in Puerto Rico for the past 25 years. The focus in this part is on their understanding of race in the context of Puerto Rico, both historically and politically, and how this influences their work. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/labyrinth-of-the-first-gen/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle...
Nov 21, 2023•37 min
33-minute listen-Episode is bilingual (English, Spanish) This episode features an in-depth interview with Ingrid Gamboa, activist, and founder of Iseri Ibagari, a public health center for the Garifuna population in Livingston, Guatemala. She discusses her role in various public health initiatives and the founding of Isiri Ibagri, a health education community center. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/labyrinth-of-the-first-gen/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcirc...
Nov 14, 2023•39 min
45-minute listen In this episode, we meet Gloria Rowe, an Afro-Jamaican writer from Guatemala. Gloria discusses the history and contributions of Jamaicans in Guatemala, from their arrival in the 19th century to their present-day status as a vibrant and important part of Guatemalan society. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/labyrinth-of-the-first-gen/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Nov 07, 2023•52 min
36-minute listen-Episode is bilingual (English, Spanish) In this episode, we interview Diana Martinez De Franzua a Garifuna restaurant owner of Las Tres Garifunas in Livingston, Guatemala. Diana is passionate about using food to connect people to Garifuna/Black culture and heritage in Central America. She is also a vocal advocate for social justice for black women in Latin America. Diana talks about her journey to becoming a restaurant owner, and how she uses her platform to promote Black cultur...
Oct 31, 2023•43 min
Season 2 for Labyrinth of the First Gen Launches in October 2023 When I think of first-generation I think about how it does not mean one thing. To be first-generation means that you navigated and continue to navigate the labyrinth without a roadmap and carve a path out of the maze with little to no guidance. Season two called Paths Created and Barriers Broken will highlight the expansive definition of what it means to be first gen. We will center the stories & wisdom of Black Leaders in Lati...
Jul 25, 2023•9 min
33-minute Listen Across the African Diaspora, Black land rights are being violated. At the peak of black land ownership after the civil war, African American farmers owned 16 million acres of land. Today, the cumulative value of African-American land loss due to land dispossession is $326 billion. Black land dispossession in the United States is not an isolated incident. Land dispossession also occurs across the African diaspora in Central America. Hervan Morgan, a Belizean Activist, talks about...
Jul 18, 2023•40 min
39 minute listen Alonso, was born in the Mexico and immigrated with his family to the United States as child. He shares his experience of living undocumented in the United States and his decision to leave the US to create a new life elsewhere. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/labyrinth-of-the-first-gen/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Jul 11, 2023•46 min
Leilani Chirino is a proud Cuban dancer and medical student who grew up in Miami. We discuss the challenges of creating and maintaining connections to our parents homeland in majority White higher education institutions and environments. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/labyrinth-of-the-first-gen/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Jul 04, 2023•34 min
Malika Hodge, MPH who considers herself a humanization strategist, talks about the intersections of histories, contributions, and conflicts with the African- American and Black Immigrant (First- Generation) identity. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/labyrinth-of-the-first-gen/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Jun 27, 2023•38 min
37 minute listen Born and raised in Venezuela, Seemi Choudry is the daughter of Pakistani immigrants who moved with her family to Chicago at the turn of the century. We discuss the intersections of identity, religion, faith, and her work as a writer. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/labyrinth-of-the-first-gen/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Jun 20, 2023•44 min
