Secular Sankofa: Black Humanist Voices from the Association of Black Humanists

The Power Of Gathering with Alex WIlliams

"Religion provides spaces for people to come together and feel welcomed. If we're humanists and want to find a space where we can do that, I think the answer is cultural spaces." — Alex Williams Alex Williams is a poet, teacher, playwright, jazz singer, and LGBT advocate. Performing as Tiger Jazz and hosting The Dial Up open mic in Watford, Alex creates cultural spaces where people can gather, celebrate creativity, and build community without requiring shared religious belief. This episode is about building humanist spaces that welcome the whole person, not just the rational mind. About recognizing that people leaving religion need places to gather on a Sunday that don't require a ticket or a degree in philosophy. And about how creativity can bridge the gap between religious community and secular freedom. 🎙️ In this episode * Why cultural spaces, not just debate forums, are essential for humanist community * The Dial Up: creating the friendliest open mic in Watford through active inclusion * How open mics celebrate LGBT History Month and Black History Month as humanist events * AI's risks to human connection, creativity, and critical thinking * The Watford Humanists Arts and Music Festival (WHAM)  * Why Black humanists face unique challenges leaving religion within tight-knit families * How religious language and rituals stay with us even after we stop believing * Rewriting the Lord's Prayer as a secular tribute to his earthly father * Books, performance, and creative work as archival records of human imagination 🎙️ Alex Williams performs * "What's a Humanist?" * "The Scientific Mind" * "The Happy Humanist" * "My Father"  🔗 Connect with Alex Williams at: thedialup.blogspot.com [http://thedialup.blogspot.com] 📚 Alex's Books * Secular Verses — poetry exploring the world from a humanist perspective * Black Iris — poetry collection from two years living in Jordan * His Hidden Wings — LGBT coming-of-age novel for young adults * Wendy the Whale — children's book about humans living in harmony with nature All available via thedialup.blogspot.com [http://thedialup.blogspot.com] or Amazon. Thanks for listening to the Secular Sankofa Podcast, produced by the Association of Black Humanists (ABH). If you enjoy the show, please follow, rate, and review — it helps more people discover Black humanist voices. Stay connected with us: * 🌍 Meetup: association-of-black-humanists [https://www.meetup.com/association-of-black-humanists/] * 👍Facebook: @AssociationBlackHumanists [https://www.facebook.com/AssociationBlackHumanists/?locale=en_GB] * 📸 Instagram: @abhumanists [https://www.instagram.com/abhumanists/] * 🕊️ X / Twitter: @abhumanists [https://x.com/abhumanists] * ▶️ YouTube: Association of Black Humanists [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfH84AOQaaDjuAmtRsW_vAg] * 🎵 TikTok: @assoc_of_black_humanists [https://www.tiktok.com/@assoc_of_black_humanists] Learn more about our work and community at abhumanists.org [https://www.meetup.com/association-of-black-humanists/] 🎙️ Podcast produced by Humanise Live [http://www.humanise.live/] a podcast production agency based in London, serving charities, companies, and individuals across the globe. .Learn more at www.humanise.live [https://www.humanise.live/] or hello@humanise.live [hello@humanise.live] 🎶 Music: Icy by Jeff Kaale

An Ex-Catholic Humanist Explains on How To Face Fear And Find Meaning Without God

"My strength comes from knowing myself. I'm not living life at random."  Christopher Ejugbo is a Nigerian-born humanist and risk management professional. Raised Catholic and once an altar boy, Christopher now lives a life grounded in reason and self-knowledge rather than faith. In this deeply personal conversation with host Lola Tinubu, Christopher shares his journey from Catholic Nigeria to finding freedom in the former Soviet Union, and finally drawing a permanent line with religion in the UK. But this episode goes beyond deconstruction. Christopher reveals the practical tools he uses to navigate life without prayer: SWOT analysis for decisions, accepting mortality without fear, and building meaning through self-examination. This is about what replaces faith when you let it go. About recognizing that churches offer community, not answers. About understanding why religion thrives where social services fail. And about discovering that strength comes from knowing yourself. 🎙️ In this episode * From altar boy in Nigeria to living religion-free in the former Soviet Union * How UK Pentecostal churches recruit lonely international students * The moment Christopher stopped going back to church * Replacing prayer with life skills: analysis and self-knowledge * Why people stay in church for entertainment rather than belief * How missing social services drive religious dependence in Nigeria * Finding liberation to enjoy religion as culture without believing Thanks for listening to the Secular Sankofa Podcast, produced by the Association of Black Humanists (ABH). If you enjoy the show, please follow, rate, and review — it helps more people discover Black humanist voices. Stay connected with us: * 🌍 Meetup: association-of-black-humanists [https://www.meetup.com/association-of-black-humanists/] * 👍Facebook: @AssociationBlackHumanists [https://www.facebook.com/AssociationBlackHumanists/?locale=en_GB] * 📸 Instagram: @abhumanists [https://www.instagram.com/abhumanists/] * 🕊️ X / Twitter: @abhumanists [https://x.com/abhumanists] * ▶️ YouTube: Association of Black Humanists [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfH84AOQaaDjuAmtRsW_vAg] * 🎵 TikTok: @assoc_of_black_humanists [https://www.tiktok.com/@assoc_of_black_humanists] Learn more about our work and community at abhumanists.org [https://www.meetup.com/association-of-black-humanists/] 🎙️ Podcast produced by Humanise Live [http://www.humanise.live/] a podcast production agency based in London, serving charities, companies, and individuals across the globe. .Learn more at www.humanise.live [https://www.humanise.live/] or hello@humanise.live [hello@humanise.live] 🎶 Music: Icy by Jeff Kaale

From Seminary To Humanism: Leo Igwe On Dismantling Witchcraft Accusations And Reimagining Community Beyond Faith

"Any ideology... that values an idea more than human life must be condemned." Dr Leo Igwe A sober, urgent conversation with Nigerian human rights activist Dr Leo Igwe on the real cost of unbelief in Nigeria and across the Global South. Joining hosts Clive Areude and Audrey Simmons, Leo reflects on his journey from the Catholic seminary to humanism, the violence driven by witchcraft accusations and blasphemy laws, and why fear, not faith, continues to shape religious identity at home and in the diaspora. This episode confronts the murders, imprisonments, and silencing that follow when belief is enforced, and asks what responsibility non-believers have to speak, organise, and build alternatives that protect human life. 🎙️ In this episode * Leo’s path from seminary training to humanism through philosophy and critical inquiry * Witchcraft accusations in Nigeria and how they lead to abuse, exile, and killings *  Why many Nigerians identify as religious out of fear rather than conviction * The murder of Deborah Samuel and the dangers of blasphemy accusations *  The imprisonment of Mubarak Bala and what his case reveals about state power and religion * Online activism as both protection and personal risk for Black non-believers * Why silence enables violence, and why humanists must respond collectively * The need to invest in leadership, services, and visible action, not just words 🔗 Referred cases and further reading * Human Rights Watch on the murder of Deborah Samuel: https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/05/16/student-nigeria-murdered-over-blasphemy-allegation [https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/05/16/student-nigeria-murdered-over-blasphemy-allegation] * BBC News on the imprisonment of Mubarak Bala: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62zpk4nnxdo [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62zpk4nnxdo] * Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW):  https://advocacyforallegedwitches.org * Humanists International – Freedom of Thought Report: https://humanists.international/what-we-do/freedom-of-thought-report/ [https://humanists.international/what-we-do/freedom-of-thought-report/] Thanks for listening to the Secular Sankofa Podcast, produced by the Association of Black Humanists (ABH). If you enjoy the show, please follow, rate, and review — it helps more people discover Black humanist voices. Stay connected with us: * 🌍 Meetup: association-of-black-humanists [https://www.meetup.com/association-of-black-humanists/] * 👍Facebook: @AssociationBlackHumanists [https://www.facebook.com/AssociationBlackHumanists/?locale=en_GB] * 📸 Instagram: @abhumanists [https://www.instagram.com/abhumanists/] * 🕊️ X / Twitter: @abhumanists [https://x.com/abhumanists] * ▶️ YouTube: Association of Black Humanists [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfH84AOQaaDjuAmtRsW_vAg] * 🎵 TikTok: @assoc_of_black_humanists [https://www.tiktok.com/@assoc_of_black_humanists] Learn more about our work and community at abhumanists.org [https://www.meetup.com/association-of-black-humanists/] 🎙️ Podcast produced by Humanise Live [http://www.humanise.live/] a podcast production agency based in London, serving charities, companies, and individuals across the globe. .Learn more at www.humanise.live [https://www.humanise.live/] or hello@humanise.live [hello@humanise.live] 🎶 Music: Icy by Jeff Kaale

A Survivor Confronts Control, Racism and Abuse While Reclaiming Her Voice

***Content warning*** This episode includes discussion of child sexual abuse, spiritual abuse, coercive control, and addiction. Please take care while listening. If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse, you can contact Rape Crisis England & Wales (24/7) via their support page: https://rapecrisis.org.uk/get-help/want-to-talk/ [https://rapecrisis.org.uk/get-help/want-to-talk/] In this episode of Secular Sankofa, we sit down with Dionne Simpson, a Black British author, speaker, and survivor. Dionne traces a life shaped by racial isolation, church-centred control, and a pattern of strategic grooming that led to a devastating disclosure at fifteen, followed by disbelief and ostracism from both family and faith leadership. Follow Dionne and explore her work * Website: https://dionnesimpson.co.uk/ [https://dionnesimpson.co.uk/] * Store: https://dionne-simpson-books.sumupstore.com/products [https://dionne-simpson-books.sumupstore.com/products] * The Sabotaged Girl: https://dionne-simpson-books.sumupstore.com/product/the-sabotaged-girl [https://dionne-simpson-books.sumupstore.com/product/the-sabotaged-girl] * Spiritual Abuse Awareness Online Course: https://dionne-simpson-books.sumupstore.com/product/spiritual-abuse-awareness-online-course [https://dionne-simpson-books.sumupstore.com/product/spiritual-abuse-awareness-online-course] * Forged By Fire (Vol. 1): Crucible of Flame: https://dionne-simpson-books.sumupstore.com/product/forged-by-fire-volume-one-crucible-of-flame [https://dionne-simpson-books.sumupstore.com/product/forged-by-fire-volume-one-crucible-of-flame] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DoraMilajeAcademy [https://www.facebook.com/DoraMilajeAcademy] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesabotagedgirl [https://www.instagram.com/thesabotagedgirl] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dionnesimpson-author/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dionnesimpson-author/] * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dionnesimpson7 [https://www.tiktok.com/@dionnesimpson7] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZVCMOiE2sZLOwg2Mqkw0wQ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZVCMOiE2sZLOwg2Mqkw0wQ] Thanks for listening to the Secular Sankofa Podcast, produced by the Association of Black Humanists (ABH). If you enjoy the show, please follow, rate, and review — it helps more people discover Black humanist voices. Stay connected with us: * 🌍 Meetup: association-of-black-humanists [https://www.meetup.com/association-of-black-humanists/] * 👍Facebook: @AssociationBlackHumanists [https://www.facebook.com/AssociationBlackHumanists/?locale=en_GB] * 📸 Instagram: @abhumanists [https://www.instagram.com/abhumanists/] * 🕊️ X / Twitter: @abhumanists [https://x.com/abhumanists] * ▶️ YouTube: Association of Black Humanists [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfH84AOQaaDjuAmtRsW_vAg] * 🎵 TikTok: @assoc_of_black_humanists [https://www.tiktok.com/@assoc_of_black_humanists] Learn more about our work and community at abhumanists.org [https://www.meetup.com/association-of-black-humanists/] 🎙️ Podcast produced by Humanise Live [http://www.humanise.live/] a podcast production agency based in London, serving charities, companies, and individuals across the globe. .Learn more at www.humanise.live [https://www.humanise.live/] or hello@humanise.live [hello@humanise.live] 🎶 Music: Icy by Jeff Kaale

Apples, Ancestors, and Anti-Fascists Marches, Akua's Amazing Life in Activism

"Live out those principles of universal sisterhood and brotherhood and come together with your fellow human beings in a secular manner to make the world a better place for every single one of us seven billion. We are all of us, brothers and sisters... connected through our humanity and not through some superhuman force." - Akua Rugg In this powerful conversation, lifelong activist, educator and humanist Akua Rugg reflects on her remarkable journey from Nigeria to Britain — from growing up in a deeply religious household to becoming part of the Race Today Collective, one of the most influential movements in Black British history. At 79, Akua shares how her early experiences with colonial Christianity, racism, and resistance shaped her lifelong pursuit of justice, equality, and humanist values. She speaks about her work alongside figures such as CLR James and the Black Parents Movement, her memories of the New Cross Fire and the Black People’s Day of Action, and how humanism continues to guide her activism today. Further Reading & Resources * History of the Race Today Collective [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/02/race-today-archive-chronicling-black-britons-lives-launches-online] – The Guardian * Race Today (Wikipedia) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_Today] * League of Coloured Peoples [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/League_of_Coloured_Peoples] (Wikipedia) * Stella Thomas [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stella_Thomas] (Akua's Aunt) * Peter Thomas [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emanuel_Peter_John_Adeniyi_Thomas] (Akua's Uncle) * Black Unity and Freedom Party [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Unity_and_Freedom_Party] (Wikipedia) * The New Cross Fire – Museum of London [https://www.londonmuseum.org.uk/collections/london-stories/the-new-cross-fire/] * Black People’s Day of Action 1981 – UCL Exhibition [https://www.ucl.ac.uk/racism-racialisation/events/black-peoples-day-action-1981-online-exhibition] Thanks for listening to the Secular Sankofa Podcast, produced by the Association of Black Humanists (ABH). If you enjoy the show, please follow, rate, and review — it helps more people discover Black humanist voices. Stay connected with us: * 🌍 Meetup: association-of-black-humanists [https://www.meetup.com/association-of-black-humanists/] * 👍Facebook: @AssociationBlackHumanists [https://www.facebook.com/AssociationBlackHumanists/?locale=en_GB] * 📸 Instagram: @abhumanists [https://www.instagram.com/abhumanists/] * 🕊️ X / Twitter: @abhumanists [https://x.com/abhumanists] * ▶️ YouTube: Association of Black Humanists [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfH84AOQaaDjuAmtRsW_vAg] * 🎵 TikTok: @assoc_of_black_humanists [https://www.tiktok.com/@assoc_of_black_humanists] Learn more about our work and community at abhumanists.org [https://www.meetup.com/association-of-black-humanists/] 🎙️ Podcast produced by Humanise Live [http://www.humanise.live/] a podcast production agency based in London, serving charities, companies, and individuals across the globe. .Learn more at www.humanise.live [https://www.humanise.live/] or hello@humanise.live [hello@humanise.live] 🎶 Music: Icy by Jeff Kaale