SE5/EP 45 Conversation with Ms Iyabo Onipede a Nigerian America on the issue Race, Cultural Inclusion, Affirmative Action, Equity and Racial Injustice.

I first discovered Iyabo Onipede after watching a short Instagram clip she posted during Black History Month in 2023 about racial healing. Her message was thoughtful, powerful, and deeply moving. Seeing her distinctly Yoruba surname also sparked my curiosity. I wanted to learn more about her Nigerian roots, her family background, and what inspired her passionate advocacy for racial equity and justice in the United States.As I explored her website, I learned that Iyabo is a facilitator, keynote speaker, and consultant who helps organizations eliminate racism, dismantle oppressive systems, and cultivate equitable cultures. It immediately became clear that her voice and perspective would make for an important conversation on the Pansa Pansa Podcast.During our conversation, Iyabo shared her remarkable personal journey. She was born in Lagos, Nigeria, to a Nigerian father and a White American mother of primarily Irish American heritage, whose own father was a Polish Jewish immigrant. Iyabo spent most of her formative years in Nigeria before moving to the United States to attend college.We explored what it was like growing up as a biracial child in Lagos, how she navigated questions of identity during childhood and adolescence, and how her mother adapted socially, professionally, and within her husband's extended Nigerian family. We also discussed Iyabo's transition to life in the United States and how she learned to navigate race, culture, and belonging while defining her own identity in diverse American spaces.Our conversation then turned to her professional work in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Iyabo is a certified Emotional Intelligence Coach and a qualified Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) administrator. She is also the creator of The CARA Model, an integrative liberation framework designed to help individuals and organizations move beyond performative diversity initiatives by confronting racism, dismantling oppressive systems, and building cultures rooted in equity, compassion, and belonging.We examined the similarities and differences between the historical experiences of Black Americans and African immigrants in the United States. Together, we discussed common misconceptions each community may hold about the other, the complexities surrounding affirmative action and who ultimately benefits from it, and the often-overlooked realities of Black-on-Black discrimination. We also explored how African immigrants are frequently absent from broader conversations about race, ethnicity, and social justice in America.As the African immigrant population continues to grow, understanding its unique experiences becomes increasingly important. Too often, the assumption is made that this community is too small or too successful to warrant focused research or public attention. Yet without meaningful scholarship and open dialogue, the distinct challenges African immigrants face while adapting to American society—and the complex ways they negotiate race, ethnicity, and identity—remain largely invisible.This episode is an insightful exploration of identity, belonging, race, culture, and what it truly means to build a more equitable society. Whether you are an African immigrant, a member of the African diaspora, a diversity practitioner, or simply someone interested in understanding the complexities of race and identity in America, this conversation offers thoughtful perspectives that challenge assumptions and invite deeper reflection.About Our GuestIyabo Onipede is a facilitator, keynote speaker, consultant, and community builder specializing in inclusion, equity, and racial justice. A self-described "recovering attorney," she practiced law for two decades before earning a Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Through customized workshops, storytelling, compassionate dialogue, and experiential learning, she helps organizations create lasting cultures of belonging and accountability.