SE3/EP27:Conversation with Folashade Olatunde a storyteller, and a journalist

For WNYC story log on https://www.wnyc.org/story/radio-rookies-reconnect-incarcerated-parent Folashade Olatunde just graduated from Lehman College with her bachelor's degree in journalism with a double minor in sociology and Africana studies. Folashade was born and raised in the Bronx, and she is one of the youngest in her family and a first-generation graduate. She loves reading, researching, and watching documentaries that challenge her and make her want to be a better person. One day, Folashade intends to write a book about her life and travel the world. She would also love to host her own podcast. Folashade lives in Mott Haven, in the south Bronx, with her mom and a puppy named Miracle. I became aware of Folashade Olatunde’s story while listening to WNYC Radio Rookies, where her story was featured. Radio Rookie is a WNYC radio program where teenagers and young adults are allowed to work and build experiences in journalism. They are provided with resources, mentorship, and training to tell their stories and stories of the world around them. Folashade was one of the young adults who was afforded the opportunity where she tells a powerful story about her family. Folashade was mentored by Jami Floyd, a lawyer, and a well-respected anchor in the field of journalism. On Radio Rookies, Folashade shared with listeners the challenges she has been going through trying to rebuild her relationship with her Nigerian father. Her father has been incarcerated since she was two years old. When I heard her name, I was sure that one or both of her parents must be from Nigeria, and I thought about reaching out to Folashade. Folashade grew up in the Bronx and attended Morris Academy for collaborative studies in the south Bronx, located in a poor neighborhood. According to a CNN Business article, Morris Academy is different in its teaching approach and achieves a high graduation rate of students who would eventually go to college. Many public schools within the south Bronx have a high truancy record rate, which often results in poor graduation rates. Other challenges facing students in a public school in the Bronx include unmanageable classroom size, bullying, and lack of technology. Family factors include poverty, homelessness, and lack of access to resources to address behavioral and mental health challenges students may be experiencing. Her determination, her mother’s support, and dedicated school staff, such as the teachers and other administrators, contributed to Folashade's excelling academically in high school and college. Folashade graduated from Lehman College (CUNY) with Honors, and she wants to still further her education beyond her Bachelor's degree. As we talked, I could not leave out Folashade’s story of being featured by CNN Business as the first to graduate college in her family and her meeting with Michelle Obama during her senior year in high school. On the family front, Folashade’s mother is African American, and we briefly discuss her two heritages, African American and Nigerian. With Folashade’s approval, we dived into the conversation about her relationship with your father, who is serving time in prison for an illegal drug conviction. She talked about her relationship with her father and her efforts to connect with him and get to know him. She spoke about how life experiences taught her about overcoming obstacles, self-discovery, and self-love, which is a powerful message and would inspire listeners. I appreciate Folashade for coming on the Pánsá Pánsá podcast to have a conversation with me to talk about her high school and colleges experiences. She was courageous and kind in sharing her experience growing up in the US as a daughter of a Nigerian immigrant father and a loving mother of African American heritage. Thank you, Folashade Olatunde, for your generosity and vulnerability in sharing your experiences with me and those you can empower with your story.