It’s the day after Thanksgiving, and I’m still smiling from yesterday — the food, the laughter, the football, and the simple joy of making memories. In this episode, I reflect on what it means to immerse yourself in the things Americans love, even when those traditions weren’t part of the world you came from.

I share my own journey: from working holidays for time-and-a-half, to slowly learning that building community, enjoying a good game of football, baking with my son, and creating new traditions can be just as meaningful as the ones we grew up with. You’ll hear how working only with fellow immigrants shaped the advice I received early on — things like “don’t invest,” “don’t stay,” “don’t buy a house” — and how stepping into more diverse spaces opened my eyes to opportunities I wish I had known sooner.

Football was never part of my life growing up in Zambia, yet here I am, a proud Baltimore Ravens fan. And yes — I finally understand the love for Lamar Jackson! I also share why Thanksgiving holds a special place in my heart, especially the baking, which connects me deeply to memories of my mother.

I touch in the money conversations people keep asking me for (that needs its own series!), the joy of building a village, and why I’m now committed to sharing books by Black American authors so we better understand the shoulders we stand on.

Yes, Thanksgiving is complicated. And football isn’t the only way to immerse yourself in American culture. But for me, these two have become beautiful entry points into belonging, connection, and gratitude.

A reminder that there are countless ways to immerse yourself in your new home while honoring the one you came from.

In this episode, I’m breaking down two big topics many of you have been asking about — the DV Lottery 2027 and dual citizenship. The U.S. government is open, but the DV Lottery is still not open yet, so I clear up the confusion around dates, the meaning of “DV 2027,” and the confirmed $1 application fee.

I also share key information from Zambia’s 61st Independence celebration, including the processes for dual citizenship based on when you obtained U.S. citizenship:
whether you need to file a Notice of Acquisition or apply for Bestowal to regain your Zambian citizenship.

This episode is not just for Zambians.
No matter where you're from, I encourage you to look up your own country's laws on dual citizenship and requirements for children traveling on foreign passports. Every country is different, and these details matter.

I also tell a personal story about traveling home with my son on his American passport — and how learning about Section 3 saved us from a potential border headache. This is a must-listen for any parent in the diaspora.

If you’re Zambian and need more information, you can contact the Embassy of the Republic of Zambia in Washington, D.C.:

📍 Address:
1529 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20037

📞 Phone:
(202) 234-4111 / (202) 234-4302

📧 Consular Email:
consular@zambiaembassy.org

🌍 Website:
https://www.zambiaembassy.org

If your country has a different process, feel free to share your experience with me — this is a global community, and we learn from each other.

Tune in, stay informed, and stay connected.
Lweendo — Tales of a U.S. and Beyond-Bound Journey.

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In Season 1, Episode 9, Kola shared something many immigrants quietly relate to — the opportunities we don’t recognize until it’s too late. He talked about not taking an internship that could have opened doors, choosing not to repeat his final high school year here in America (a move that might have helped him secure scholarships), and how he only started applying for jobs at a time when the housing market had crashed. His story reflects a common immigrant experience: sometimes we miss chances simply because we don’t know the system or we don’t understand the value of what’s in front of us.

Last year, I learned my own version of that lesson.

After almost eleven years of ignoring conference emails at work — deleting, skipping, scrolling past — I finally attended two major conferences, including the Magnet Conference in New Orleans. Everything was fully paid for: airfare, accommodation, meals… even my own private hotel room. And I later learned that people attend with their families — it’s allowed — which is why everyone gets their own room. Meanwhile, I was shocked thinking it was an upgrade.

That trip opened my eyes.

At Magnet, Kodi Lee performed at the opening ceremony — yes, Kodi Lee! I met three authors, including Robin Arzón(the killer Peloton instructor and author of Just Run), Shola (author of Ubuntu), and Damon West, author of The Change Agent and the children’s book The Coffee Bean. The exhibit hall was full of the latest medical equipment, new clinical practices, incredible presentations, and even therapy puppies. Charity won a pair of Hoka shoes and an iPad. It was a whole experience.

And that’s when it hit me:
My dad used to travel for conferences when he was senior staff — so subconsciously, I filed conferences under “for big titles only.” I never imagined these opportunities were meant for regular employees too. For everyday people like me.

This episode brings Kola’s lesson and mine together:

When you don’t know the value, you miss the opportunity.
When you don’t understand the system, you stay on the sidelines.
And when something isn’t part of the world you grew up in, you may not realize it belongs to you too.

Sometimes the blessing is already sitting in your inbox.
All you need to do is say yes.

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