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.

#ImmigrantJourney #ComingToAmerica #LandingInAmerica #DiasporaLife #ZambiaKuChalo #ImmigrantLife

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.

https://www.instagram.com/assortedimmigrantstoriespod?igsh=djdoZXprY2VnMDQx&utm_source=qr

assortedimmigrantstories@gmail.com

www.tiktok.com/@assortedimmigrantstories

#ComingToAmerica #ImmigrantStories #ImmigrantJourneys #ZambiaKuVhalo #DiasporaLiving

In this mini-episode of Assorted Immigrant Stories – Lweendo, Zenith reflects on the invisible systems that raise children—and how those systems shift when you leave home.

She begins with memories of working in nursing homes full of fellow Africans, long before she understood the sacrifices families make to survive childcare realities in America. Fast forward to motherhood, and she now finds herself navigating Pre-K schedules, impossible lunch breaks, and the high cost of childcare.

But the heart of this episode lies in what she discovered: the quiet network of community members who help with school pick-ups and drop-offs for a small fee, and the unexpected blessing of finding a Ghanaian “Granny”—a true grandmother figure who stepped into their lives simply because Zenith stayed connected, asked questions, and allowed herself to be part of community.

This is a story about how villages are lost and rebuilt, how support shows up in unexpected places, and how speaking up can introduce you to the people who stand in the gap.

Listen for reflections on:
🌍 How immigrants rebuild community support in America
👵🏾 Finding “Grannies” and helpers by being part of community
🚌 The struggle of pick-ups, drop-offs, and school schedules
🏫 Childhood in Zambia vs. the American school day
💛 The emotional journey of letting your child step into new beginnings

Hashtags:
#AssortedImmigrantStories #ComingToAmerica #ImmigrantJourney #BuildingAVillage #TheVillageWeCreate #LeavingAVillageBehind #BuildingAVillageInAmerica #WhatAVillageLooksLike #PickUpsAndDropOffs #CommunityHelpers #FindingGranny #GrandmasAndGrandpas #ImmigrantParenting #ParentingInAmerica #AfricanDiaspora #ZambiaToAmerica #DiasporaLife #VillageInDiaspora #CommunityMatters #LweendoPodcast

assortedimmigrantstories@gmail.com

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n this special mini-series episode, I’m sharing all the books I’ve recommended on the podcast so far — especially for listeners who may not be on Instagram. I use books because they help us express the things we can’t always say out loud. They open doors into experiences, emotions, and immigrant journeys that many of us carry quietly.

This episode brings all those titles together in one place, and I also share what’s coming next — November’s book pick, Bitter Honey by Lọlá Ákínmádé

This is the season finale of Assorted Immigrant Stories. Listener discretion is advised, as we will be discussing sensitive topics such as pregnancy loss, miscarriages, IVF (In Vitro Fertilization), and IUI (Intrauterine Insemination).

In this powerful two-part finale, Angela shares her healing journey through the pain of pregnancy loss. She opens up about the entire process—grieving, journaling, and writing heartfelt letters to her children as part of her healing.

Angela, a courageous woman from Zambia, talks about the cultural silence around miscarriage in our community. Traditionally, a woman is considered complete only when she is married and has children. But times are changing. I even conducted a small survey with my high school friends in our WhatsApp group and found that perspectives have evolved. Many now support women who choose not to marry or have children—whether by choice or due to circumstances.

Angela Dedelkovic also shares her Coming to America journey, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and how writing helped her reclaim her voice.

You can support the Titandizike Foundation by contacting Father Mwsle at:

+260979323178

👉🏾titandizikefoundation.org

Follow Angela on IG

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Contact us on

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In this special Q&A episode of Assorted Immigrant Stories, I dive into a mix of questions you've sent me over time, from WhatsApp, DMs, and emails. No particular order, no filters — just honest answers to real questions.

🎧 Topics include:
• What to do after winning the green card lottery
• Travel & health insurance when first arriving
• Repeating high school in the U.S. — worth it?
• Packing tips to avoid airport issues
• Is nursing still a good career choice?
• ...and other spontaneous gems

These aren’t the top questions — just randomly selected 😄

If your question isn’t in this one, stay tuned , I just might answer it in the next Q&A next season .

Guests: Prisscah V, Mutsah M, Kola, Dr. Musoma

In this powerful episode, we unpack the concept of Black Tax — the financial expectations placed on immigrants by families back home. Rooted in love, culture, and care, this sense of duty is deeply embedded in African values. Giving back often brings pride and meaning. But what happens when cultural expectations clash with the realities of living in America?

We explore:

• Should we help immediately or first understand America?

• What happened to paying it forward?

• When does helping turn into dependency?

• Is lifestyle creep reducing our ability to give?

• Why are needs sometimes exaggerated?

• Can support be mutual — check-ins, indigenous food, or simply a “hello”?

This honest conversation brings warmth, laughter, tension, and a collective agreement: we love to give, but not at the cost of our well-being.

Quote of the Episode:
"Don’t take away from your children what made you a man." — Unknown

Book Mentioned: Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud

🔥 Real talk for real people. Part 2 is a must.