In this episode, we travel to Gorée Island in Dakar to speak with Tijan Watt, an entrepreneur and impact investor building a bold future for African innovation. Rooted in a transatlantic heritage that includes Tuskegee and Senegal, Tijan shares how both his African and Black American family history, HBCU education, and deep cultural pride shaped his path. Through his work with Wuri Ventures, Tijan champions local entrepreneurship, risk-taking, and creativity grounded in African realities. He reflects on moving to Senegal to invest in talent, nurture community, and reimagine development from within. For Tijan, meaningful innovation starts with love, local knowledge, and the freedom to imagine—and build—on your own terms.

JUMP TO’s

1:48 Jam Tan! Tijan shares the Pulaar phrase for “peace only” kicking off the conversation with peace.

5:50 The importance of Black excellence and the legacy of ancestors, including Tijan’s great-aunt Norma, a researcher on the polio vaccine.

9:21 Talking about his own academic and professional journey, including his time at Howard University.

11:46 Tijan shares his initial impressions of Senegal.

20:57 He explains the concept of entrepreneurial capital and the importance of taking risks and creating jobs in Africa.

40:09 Tijan discusses the concept of a "winning Senegal" and the importance of self-belief and positive change.

41:03 The need for African countries to take control of their own destiny.

42:07 Tijan discusses the future of innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa and the importance of creating spaces for entrepreneurs.

42:50 He emphasizes the need for African countries to leverage their cultural assets and create opportunities for young people and explore the continent’s “soft power”.

45:43 Darren wraps up the episode, and the season.

In this episode, we journey to Tunis to speak with Farah Mami, philanthropist, impact investor, and social entrepreneur committed to leading with heart, integrity, and deep cultural pride. Rooted in both Tunisia and France, Farah moves between worlds—geographically, spiritually, and professionally. She shares a powerful story of reclaiming authenticity, navigating the tensions of belonging, and redefining leadership on her own terms. As the chair of the Tunisia chapter of the Young President’s Organization (YPO) and a global advocate for women in business, she’s reshaping what leadership can look like when it’s grounded in care, equity, and spiritual alignment. Farah’s work aims to foster personal growth and community well-being. In this conversation she also reflects on the role of love as both anchor and fuel.

JUMP TO’s

00:43 Introducing Farah.

2:00 Farah’s invocation is a call for

05:30 Going between Paris and Tunis and the difficulty of living your true self in a culture of shaming.

15:10 The power of women to build communities.

19:20 The potential for women’s leadership to grow beyond where it is today

20:00 The importance of men’s support for women to change the narrative

23:00 Hear Farah’s ideas on becoming a successful entrepreneur and living a full life

24:30 What it will take for Tunisia to embrace opportunities and “go out to the world”

29:30 Tunisia holding space as a regional leader

30:00 The need for love and for safe spaces.

In this episode, we travel to Addis Ababa to speak with Feven Tsehaye, a purpose-driven entrepreneur, healer, and founder and CEO of Chakka Origins—a social enterprise reclaiming the wisdom of Ethiopia’s ancestral knowledge around biodiversity and indigenous plants while working with female smallholder farming communities. Feven’s story is rooted in both tradition and transformation as she draws on a childhood shaped by community, land, and the power of women. With a background in social impact, including work at the Gates foundation and graduate study on micro-finance approaches in southern Ethiopia, her work bridges the ancient and the modern, creating high-impact natural products while centering sustainability, equity, and care. In this conversation, Feven explores what it means to lead with care, build with purpose, and honor cultural knowledge. She reminds us that healing is both personal and political—and that joy, like justice, is something we must cultivate with intention.

Jump To’s

06:20 Feven discusses the knowledge of indigenous plants and medicines passed down through generations and how coming into contact with that knowledge changed her life.

07:00 The importance of storytelling

11:15 The beginning of Chakka Origins as a business with wider impact in mind.

14:10 On reclaiming industrial production and the narrative that goes with it.

16:00 The importance of Ethiopia’s biodiversity and connection to the land to the country’s national psyche. Did you know the country has five Biosphere Reserves!

18:15 Creating a largely women-driven supply chain.

21:30 The importance of aligning oneself with one’s personal values to survive the tidal waves of modern life.

24:00 Hear about Feven’s obsession with Ethiopian cardamom

31:00 What does climate justice mean in Ethiopia?

34:30 Feven circles back to community, especially Ethiopia’s women entrepreneurs, and how this engenders the ability to dream.