The One with African Dads in the Diaspora

Discussions Among Diasporans Series: Episode 25 (2023)

Don’t lie to yourself; every day will not be a basket of cherries. There will be good and bad days, and you need to be prepared for both as a father. Your child(ren) is watching and looking up to you, so if you fail to take on your role as a father, you are failing your family. Be ready to face the highs and lows of fatherhood and show your child(ren) that you can handle any situation — Mr. Fapohunda (2023)

Welcome back! This week, we embarked on a profound journey into the realm of fatherhood, specifically exploring the life experiences of immigrant fathers hailing from traditional African backgrounds. This episode was from a panel held in June 2023, cohosted by our podcast and other esteemed podcasters, Kelechi Ibe-Lamberts (@blacktransnational_), Nancy Mulemwa Siisii (@concrete_pastures), Ms. Kemi Seriki (@pansa.pansaforum).

Our conversation this week revolves around a vital theme, one that deserves a spotlight and aligns perfectly with the mission of the “Pansa Pansa Forum.” We are delving into the multifaceted realm of fatherhood, specifically examining immigrant fathers' unique challenges as they navigate life after migrating and the profound culture shock often experienced by “African migrants.”

Allow me to introduce our distinguished host for this episode of the More Sibyl Podcast, the lovely Ms. Kemi Seriki, who is also the host of the Pansa Pansa Forum. Joining us as panelists are remarkable individuals, each with rich experiences to share.

First, we have Mr. Babatunde Fapohunda, an engineer, a father of two adults, and a grandfather to his son’s children. Mr. Fapohunda migrated to the U.S. over forty years ago, initially intending to pursue a graduate program. Still, his journey took a different turn due to a request…