Unmuted Moments

Doyin Abitoye, a HR professional, career coach and author of Shush!: Simple, Relatable Ways to Silence Limiting Beliefs, shares her journey from Nigeria to Canada, including the seven-year process of rebuilding her voice after arriving as a senior HR leader and being told she didn't have Canadian experience.She reflects on the cultural conditioning that teaches many immigrants to confuse silence with respect, walks through the four tools at the heart of her book—reflection, reframing, affirmations, and action—and unpacks the line between mindset work and the real systemic barriers immigrants face.Connect with Doyin:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doyinabitoye/Website: doyinabitoye.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachdee_abitoye/

Racheal Bamigbade, a LinkedIn coach and personal brand strategist, shares how she built her career through LinkedIn after graduating first class in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria.Racheal walks through her practical approach to building a strong LinkedIn presence, from optimizing your profile to positioning your experience in a way that attracts the right opportunities. Connect with Racheal:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachealawe/

Dabney Weathersby shares her journey navigating the corporate world as a Black, first-generation professional. She reflects on the inspiration behind her platform, Let’s Circle Black, created to foster community, connection, and support for Black professionals at a time when formal DEI programs are shrinking. Dabney also speaks candidly about the power of vulnerability and the importance of using our voices to advocate for ourselves and others in changing environments. Learn more about Dabney :LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/dabneyjweathersby/Let’s Circle Black: www.letscircleblack.substack.com/

René Peters Jr., a Product Manager at NVIDIA, discusses the influence of Black leaders on his career and the importance of using his voice to shape conversations around technology and public policy. He reflects on his upbringing in Cincinnati and New Orleans, his journey into public speaking, and how community and mentorship helped him grow into leadership roles within tech.René shares why making complex topics like artificial intelligence accessible to everyday communities matters now more than ever. He explores the responsibility of technologists in civic engagement, the growing intersection of AI and policy, and why diverse voices must be present in shaping how technology impacts society. He also offers insights on the future of AI and the importance of thinking independently in a rapidly changing world.Website referenced: https://theresanaiforthat.com/Learn more about René:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rjpjr/

Sahar Jamal, Founder and CEO of Maziwa Breastfeeding, unpacks why motherhood and womanhood should be celebrated—not tolerated. She shares her journey across countries, from her Tanzanian and Indian roots to growing up in Canada, living in the UK and the U.S., and ultimately founding a company in Kenya.We talk about migration, identity, social entrepreneurship, and the powerful ways women contribute across borders and generations.Learn more about Sahar:Website: www.maziwabreastfeeding.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/saharjamal

Paul Adeyeye, an award-winning author and host of The Thriving Immigrant Podcast, shares his journey from Nigeria to Canada, including the experience of navigating and overcoming layoffs in a new country. He provides insights on what it means to be a thriving immigrant, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, genuine love for humanity, curiosity, and maintaining a proactive mindset. Paul stories and advice, offer a roadmap for immigrants striving to thrive in their new environments.Learn more about Paul:Website: https://pauladeyeye.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-adeyeye/

Jane Mepham, CFP®, breaks down why some immigrants still feel financially insecure even with $1 million in the bank and how mindset, not money, is often the real barrier. She explains why money should be treated as a tool rather than the goal, and how culturally aware financial planning can empower immigrants to build stability and long-term wealth.Jane is the founder of Elgon Financial Advisors where she helps immigrants and foreign nationals build wealth while navigating the complexities of U.S. financial systems.Learn more about Jane:Company Website: https://elgonfa.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janemepham/Check out her podcast (the International Money Cafe):https://www.theimcafe.com/podcast

Storyteller and strategist Leeah Marie Derenoncourt joins Ehis to unpack the concept of personal culture: the idea that we each have the power to design the ecosystem of our own lives. Drawing from her experiences growing up across five countries, Leeah shares how she learned to validate her story, embrace intentionality, and choose what to keep, change, or create for herself. This episode explores identity, ownership, and the freedom that comes from realizing you get to decide who you are and who you become.Learn more about Leeah:Personal Website: https://leeahmarie.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leeahderenoncourt/Check out her podcast Expressions:https://open.spotify.com/show/6g5WmDC8k4z5nxj1A95YeZ?si=f64afe536cbc4e83

For many immigrants and first-gen professionals, politeness is taught as a virtue, a sign of respect, humility, and grace. But those same lessons can also come with a cost. In this episode, Ama Annoh, shares how she navigated these cultural expectations and how she learned to speak up without guilt, own her story, and build platforms where others can do the same.Learn more about Unfading Beauties (Her not-for-profit org): https://linktr.ee/unfadingbeautiesLearn more about Ama:LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ama-annoh/IG: https://www.instagram.com/amalove23/?hl=enLegacy N' Lifestyle Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@legacynlifestyle

From feeling like an outsider in small-town Connecticut to representing the United States on the world stage, Sourav Bhowmick shares the pivotal moments that shaped his journey from immigrant son to presidential appointee.We explore his path from private sector success to public service, including his role as Chief of Staff for the Inflation Reduction Act implementation at the U.S. Treasury under Janet Yellen, and what the American Dream means today. He reflects on overcoming imposter syndrome, the significance of community, and the responsibility that comes with achieving personal success.Follow Sourav:LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/souravbhowmick/

From growing up in Ghana to building yShade, an AI company in the U.S., Emmanuel Acheampong shares a candid look at what it means to navigate bias in tech and entrepreneurship while holding on to your voice. We talk about the tension between cultural humility and the confidence required to lead, how communicating with authority changes the way people receive your ideas, and the reality of being underestimated until you overdeliver. This is a conversation about resilience, identity, and why in a world increasingly shaped by AI, your voice and how you use it matters more than ever.Follow Emmanuel:LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmanuel-acheampong/Website: https://yshade.ai/

Utibe Bassey, Vice President of Customer Experience at Dominion Energy and creator of the Love as a KPI framework, shares how redefining success starts with how we measure impact. She explains why love, expressed through delivering undeniable value, is a critical metric for organizations and individuals, and how anyone can apply her framework even without a leadership title. Utibe also reflects on moments when success didn’t feel like success, the lessons she’s learned about setting meaningful goals, and practical ways to navigate self-doubt early in your career.Follow Utibe:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/utbassey/Website: https://www.loveasakpi.com/

Bruno Yoshioka, Principal Software Engineering Manager at Microsoft, didn’t plan to become an engineer. For most of his life, he dreamed of becoming a music professor until a summer internship changed his path. Born in Brazil to Japanese parents and raised in the U.S., Bruno grew up navigating multiple cultures and expectations. Bruno shares how he accidentally found his way into tech, how mentorship played a pivotal role in his growth, and why he now pours that same energy into supporting early-career engineers and professionals on their own journeys.Follow Bruno:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/byoshiokaWebsite: www.byoshi.comMusic recommendations:Polyphia - Playing God: https://youtu.be/Z5NoQg8LdDk?si=QZ3zRzwRwWHNFlE_Jacob Collier - Over You: https://youtu.be/laI3x0bdgxQ?si=QZXIgprhxI41y-zZ

At 10 years old, Nde (The Engineer Emcee) Nkimbeng, froze during a rap performance and lost out on $50. But what he gained instead was a mindset that would shape the rest of his life: Do it anyways even if you are scared. In this episode, Nde shares how that early moment of fear helped him unlock his voice and eventually led him to become The Engineer MC, an international event host who has now led over 150 events across five countries.Follow Nde:IG: https://www.instagram.com/youreventmc/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ndenkimbeng/Website: https://www.youreventmc.com/

Linda Ta Yonemoto, a personal finance educator and creator, shares how growing up as the daughter of Vietnamese refugees shaped her relationship with money, voice, and ambition. She discusses the emotional weight of being first-gen—navigating silence around money, breaking out of survival mode, and unlearning the belief that financial success was only for “other people.” Today, she’s the founder of Good For You Money, a platform dedicated to helping first-gen women and people from underrepresented backgrounds build wealth and confidence through relatable, culturally-aware financial education.Follow Linda:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindatayonemoto/IG: https://www.instagram.com/goodforyoumoney

Josh Williams, a social impact leader, shares why it’s so hard to be yourself and why it’s worth the effort. From growing up as a child of preachers to teaching in the South Bronx and leading in social impact, Josh reflects on learning when to speak up and when to listen, navigating imposter syndrome, and redefining what a “good life” looks like beyond titles and prestige. He shares how building a life rooted in service, relationships, and authenticity has shaped his journey, reminding us that even in a noisy world, you can chart your own path—and that you are enough.Follow Josh on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-williams-572bb141/

Jesús Salas, a venture capital investor, joins Ehis to talk about what it really takes to be seen in corporate America and why doing great work is only part of the story.Raised in Fort Worth, Texas, and shaped by international experiences across Kenya, Nicaragua, and Chile, Jesús reflects on the unspoken rules of corporate culture: the importance of being known, not just being good. He shares the moment he realized top ratings weren’t enough to get promoted and how that awakening led him away from corporate America and toward a non-traditional path. Follow Jesús on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesusasalas/

Sruti Bharat shares her powerful journey from growing up in the Bay Area to becoming an interim CEO of a nonprofit and eventually founding two mission-driven companies. In this conversation, we explore what it means to lead your peers, make decisions without a playbook, and stay true to your voice when the stakes are high.We also dive into imposter syndrome and the environments that either nurture or silence confidence. Sruti reflects on building Campground Systems and FutureMap, offering lessons on authentic leadership, entrepreneurship, and what it really takes to build something meaningful especially when the odds aren’t in your favor.Follow Sruti on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/srutibharat/

Nmasichi Chukwuemeka, founder of Tribes & History, shares her journey from a childhood in Nigeria filled with novels to navigating culture shock in small-town Kentucky and the mission behind creating Tribes & History, a platform to celebrate African stories.She discusses the power of storytelling in reclaiming identity, the pressure to shrink parts of yourself to fit in, and why representation in media matters. Through Tribes & History, Nmasi is building a home for voices that have too often been left out of the narrative.Learn more about Tribes and History. https://tribesandhistory.com/Follow Nmasichi on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/chinenyenmasichi/

Anissa Bouderraoui, Founder and CEO of LingoCircle, shares her journey from a multilingual upbringing in France to moving to the United States and the mission behind creating an AI-powered language learning platform for kids. She discusses the importance of language in shaping identity, the challenges of fitting into new environments, and the innovative solutions Lingo Circle offers for bilingual education. Learn more about LingoCircle:https://lingocircle.com/Follow Anissa on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/anissa-bouderraoui-bilingual-education/

Derby Chukwudi, a Nigerian-American finance professional and former Miss New Jersey USA (2023) shares her inspiring journey from Nigeria to the United States and the road to the pageant stage. She opens up about growing up in Nigeria, the loss of her mother, and how these experiences shaped her identity and voice. Derby discusses overcoming pressure to change her accent, staying true to herself, and the importance of mentorship in her personal and professional growth. Her story is a powerful reminder of resilience, authenticity, and finding your voice in new spaces.Follow Derby:LinkedIn Instagram WebsiteYouTube Channel

Dr. Emmanuel Ohuabunwa’s journey—from being bullied for his accent as a Nigerian immigrant to becoming the first Black male valedictorian at Johns Hopkins University and earning both an M.D. and MBA from Yale—embodies his belief that “some battles must be lost to win the war.” Now an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at UT Southwestern, his story is one of resilience, restraint, and purpose.It’s a powerful conversation for anyone who’s ever felt unseen, questioned their belonging, or struggled to stay focused on their purpose.Follow Dr. Emmanuel Ohuabunwa:LinkedIn InstagramHEAL Program

Kalule Guwatudde shares his journey from Uganda to the U.S., from launching a high school wiki to founding Bora Bond, a fintech platform helping the African diaspora invest in African government bonds.Kalule opens up about navigating layered identities — African, immigrant, and Black — and the friction of using your voice in spaces that weren’t built for you. He talks about the emotional toll of entrepreneurship, the clarity of conviction, and what it means to see far like a giraffe… and act with purpose.More information on Bora Bond:Website: www.borabond.comKalule’s Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/kalule-guwatudde-841308a1

Executive Coach Rabiya Hass joins Ehis to explore how the stories we tell ourselves shape our identity, confidence, and success. From growing up as an immigrant post-9/11 to rising through corporate America, Rabiya shares how she overcame self-doubt and imposter syndrome to step into her power—and now helps others do the same. This episode offers a practical mindset framework for reframing limiting beliefs, along with powerful insights on cultural identity, career growth, and choosing which narratives we let define us.Follow Rabiya: Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/rabiyahass/

Ilona Limonta-Volkova shares the aha moment when she realized she was funny—and how humor, preparation, and storytelling helped her find her voice. From overcoming shyness to writing for Forbes to hosting her own podcast and thriving in venture capital, she unpacks the power of self-discovery, confidence, and showing up even when you have self-doubt. She opens up about imposter syndrome, why preparation is key to confidence, and how podcasting unexpectedly strengthened her career.If you've ever struggled with speaking up, this episode will inspire you to trust your preparation and embrace your voice.Follow Ilona: Money Memories Podcast: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/947650726/money-memoriesWebsite: https://bearandthebull.com/Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/ilonalimonta-volkova/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ilonaonthemoney/

In the inaugural episode of Unmuted Moments, host Ehis shares his journey of finding and owning his voice, from the doubts and cultural barriers that once held him back to the key moments that set him free—mentorship that gave him confidence, struggles that forced him to speak up, and the power of embracing authenticity.

For too long, many of us have held back—afraid of being misunderstood, dismissed, or simply unsure if our voice matters. Unmuted Moments is here to change that.From navigating new cultures to overcoming impostor syndrome, Unmuted Moments is about discovering how your voice can shape your career, community, and life👉 Subscribe now and join the conversation. Because the world needs your voice.🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and everywhere you get your podcasts.