Youth vs ICE

Youth vs ICE

What does the future of leadership look like when youth, culture, and community intersect? In this episode of The Diaspora Door, host Nze Obinelo sits down with two remarkable seniors from Nashua High School North who are redefining local activism: Salomé Safri and Jordin Lopez. Salomé, the daughter of Pakistani and Dominican immigrants, beautifully weaves together photography, writing, and social media to amplify the voices of BIPOC, queer, and immigrant communities. She was also an intern and social media lead with 350NH Youth Team. Jordin, a dynamic leader on the NAACP Youth Council, brings her passion for civic engagement, protests, and grassroots organizing to the forefront. In this powerful conversation, they pull back the curtain on how they rumbled the status quo—rallying the youth they lead to the front lines of the massive winter protests against the proposed ICE detention warehouse in nearby Merrimack, New Hampshire. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about the raw power of the youth voice, what it takes to organize a community in the face of federal policy, and what it truly means to build bridges in our own backyards.

Ice Cream, Ice Cream….Who Screams For Ice Cream?: Chris Ordway, George Soffron, Jennifer Belmore

Nothing says the peak of a New England summer quite like the local ice cream stand. But beyond the scoops, sprinkles, and nostalgia, these beloved spots are the ultimate community anchors where generations of families cross paths, celebrate milestones, and create lasting memories.  In this incredibly fun, delicious, and community-centric episode of The Diaspora Door, host Nze Obinelo pulls up a chair with the ultimate dream team of local ice cream royalty. Joining the roundtable are the visionaries behind the region's most iconic summer staples: Chris Ordway of Hayward’s, George Soffron of King Kone, and Jennifer Belmore of Sweet Bel’s Ice Cream.  Together, they take us behind the counter to share what it takes to keep these sweet traditions thriving year after year. From secret family recipes and the art of the perfect soft-serve swirl to the profound ways these businesses fuel the local economy and give back to the neighborhoods they serve, this conversation proves that ice cream is a universal language of joy, comfort, and community connection. Host: Nze Obinelo Guests: Chris Ordway, George Soffron, Jennifer Belmore Producer: Soundprove Audios Social Media: Favor Iyore

From Lagos To The End Zone: Tolu Tunde

Tolu Tunde’s journey to the heights of Division I college football is a masterclass in versatility, adaptability, and pure athletic drive. Born in Nigeria, Tolu grew up immersed in soccer and basketball before moving to Canada. He didn't even strap on a football helmet until his senior year of high school. Despite his late introduction to the sport, his natural athleticism and explosive power quickly turned heads. Tolu took a leap of faith by heading to prep school to test his mettle against elite American competition. The gamble paid off exponentially: he dominated the trenches, locked down multiple Division I offers from programs across the United States, and chose to take his talents to the University of Connecticut. As a standout athlete representing both his Nigerian roots and his Canadian upbringing, Tolu is an inspiring example of what happens when preparation meets a massive opportunity on the global stage. Host: Nze Obinelo Guest Speaker: Tolu Tunde Producer: Soundprove Audios Social Media: Favour Iyore

A Transgender Journey: Adrianne Greenberg-Sud

What does it truly take to pull down the barriers of expectation and step entirely into your own truth? In this profoundly moving and necessary episode of The Diaspora Door, host Nze Obinelo opens up a space of deep empathy, listening, and learning as she welcomes Adrianne Greenberg-Sud to share her personal transgender journey. Adrianne Greenberg-Sud is a transgender, pansexual woman of Indian and Polish descent; her intersection is complicated enough to warrant a roundabout. She is also a tech worker, performance artist, and activist in the Seattle area, and a lifelong storyteller. She can be found on her website at pigsflew.com [https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Furldefense.proofpoint.com%2Fv2%2Furl%3Fu%3Dhttp-3A__pigsflew.com_%26d%3DDwMFaQ%26c%3DeuGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM%26r%3DE456qIsIay43OBaMk2jE_VkEPB6KFgqySb3XjpJhIbM%26m%3D58Q7OOqA7Q06cSWtdyf-0T5DMKjcP6isS1hOxObpFXPJPWebmO4pRuTpqWfXTgUH%26s%3DJQcRoHGQzeg6jDLMrYATWkvINf0gHgBuAUqB-o_pgKo%26e%3D&data=05%7C02%7C%7C683d862d1ff447b340ec08ded77ac55a%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639185119496488485%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Iz95CucujT%2FUqx3JHIuUYxr5ysFjZtgZONMvilTvUVc%3D&reserved=0]. Identity is a lifelong voyage, and navigating a transition requires immense vulnerability, courage, and resilience—not just from the individual, but from the family and community surrounding them. Addie joins the conversation to share an intimate look at her path toward living authentically, breaking through societal stigmas, and navigating the complexities of healthcare, self acceptance, and visibility. Together, we explore how families and diaspora communities can move past rigid traditional norms to build unbreakable bridges of unconditional love, empathy, and systemic support for LGBTQ+ loved ones. Host: Nze Obinelo  Guest Speaker: Adrianne Greenberg-Sud Producer: Soundprove Audios Social Media: Favour Iyore

Cultivating Conservation: Protecting Small-Town Farmland in Canada, Kenya and the United States

Today we have 3 guests who together, they will dive into the unique challenges and triumphs of preserving agricultural lands and fostering eco-conscious communities in small-towns in Canada, Kenya and the United States. They are going to let us know what to do to preserve and maintain our diaspora. Noeline Burk, Jerusha Mangera and Mark Post will explore the critical world of farm conservation and sustainable agriculture across Canada and the United States.  To break down the grassroots efforts shaping our rural landscapes.  Tune in as they discuss how small towns can champion green initiatives, protect vital farmland, and build sustainable food systems for generations to come. Noeline was raised on a farm in Blenheim, Ontario. She is a lifelong green-living advocate, a retired art teacher, off-grid enthusiast, and host of the bi-weekly sustainability radio show Sage Advice on 102.7 CHOP FM. She brings a deep connection to small-town Canadian agriculture. Jerusha Mangera is an established community leader and housing program professional based in Nashua, New Hampshire, with decades of experience in supportive housing, community action, and social advocacy.  She serves as the Vice-Chair and Program Housing Manager for the Grand Granite Diaspora Sacco (GGDS/I), leveraging her housing expertise to assist diaspora communities with strategic housing programs and financial cooperative development.  Mark is a Member of the Hollis Conservation Commission and Chair of its Agricultural Commission. He brings vital American insight into municipal land protection, environmental stewardship, and local policy. Host: Nze Obinelo Guest Speakers: Noeline Burk, Jerusha Mangera and Mark Post Producer: Soundprove Audios Social Media: Favour Iyore