What’s Our Story?
My Black is Transnational was established in 2018 with the goal of bringing to the forefront the emerging yet overlooked impact that immigration and transnationalism has on Black people across the world. By providing research-based information— concerning issues among culturally diverse Black people—in a casual relaxed manner, we enjoy creating content that will spark, productive discussions topics for our listeners, while also educating them on societal issues that include (but not limited to) health disparities, health behaviors and proposed strategies to increase intra-racial relationships among Black natives and Black immigrants.
Dr. Kelechi Ibe-Lamberts
Creator/Host
Dr. Kelechi Ibe-Lamberts is a professor and researcher in health behaviors, health disparities and health outcomes among culturally diverse populations. His research interest specifically involve immigrant health and the development of transnational ties among immigrants. He identifies as a 1.5 generation Transnational Nigerian American. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, he immigrated to the United States at the age of 8, where he grew up in the Chicago, Illinois. He received his undergraduate and doctorate degrees in Community Health from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He continued his postdoctotoral training at the University of Florida until 2018. He currently teaches and conducts research at SUNY Cortland in upstate New York.
Meet Our Guests
This section highlights guests from all episodes (by order of appearance).
SEASON 1
Dr. Latifat Cabirou
Episode 5: Going Mental...Health
Dr. Latifat Cabirou received her doctoral in Counseling Psychology program at Loyola University Chicago. Dr. Cabirou has since served in multiple clinical roles as a mental health professional in outpatient and inpatient mental health settings, as well as university counseling centers. Additionally, Dr. Cabirou is an adjunct faculty in undergraduate and graduate Counseling Psychology program at North Park University. Dr. Cabirou enjoys teaching, clinical work with adolescents and young adults and has clinical and research interests in the areas of multicultural counseling, mental health of members of marginalized groups, Black immigrant experiences, acculturation challenges, racial/ethnic socialization, identity development, and suicide prevention.
SEASON 2
Mr. George Lokko
Episode 2: Let's Gist: Boarding School, Bioengineering and...Brunch?
Mr. George Lokko is a Ghanain born bioengineer and entrepreneur. He is a Development Engineer in the Orthopedics industry where his daily goal is to provide and develop sustainable products that enhance patient lives. His specialty includes designing and qualifying spine implants with their respective instruments that are used to mitigate abnormalities in the spine of adult patients. His life is based on two simple philosophies: idealism in thoughts and consistency in action. He is very interested in volunteering opportunities, new business ventures, and healthcare development.
SEASON 3
SAM ACHO
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Episode 2: "Letting the World See You"
Sam Acho is an author, a public speaker, a humanitarian, and a committed Christian. He is also currently a linebacker in the NFL.
In 2016 and 2017, Sam was the Bears' nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, the league's only award that recognizes both civic and professional contributions. He served on the leadership committee for both the Cardinals and the Bears. He is also the vice president of the NFL Players Association, an organization in which he has served since his second year in the NFL.
Having grown up in Dallas with parents who emphasized scholastic achievement, Sam was named by Sporting News as one of the twenty smartest athletes in all of sports. Every year he joins his family on medical mission trips to Nigeria. He recently built a hospital there through Living Hope Christian Ministries, an organization in which he serves as vice president.