Two Experts. One Mission. Stop Disconnection Before It Stops You. This is your invitation to the September Connection Catalyst Challenge. Join through the link in the bio or www.connectioncatalystchallenge.com

“𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐭…” 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞?

Two people can leave the same conversation with two completely different stories and one wrong interpretation can quietly become mistrust, conflict, and broken relationships.

In Day 1 of the Connection Catalyst Challenge, Dr. Ruth Akumbu reveals the Interpretation Gap; the invisible space between what someone actually meant and the meaning we assign to their behavior.And this is only Day 1 of 5. 🔥

What happens when we learn to Catch. Check. Change. before an assumption becomes a verdict?Don’t stop at Day 1. The next days go deeper. Link to join in Bio!

“Good Morning, Tony”… Was it disrespectful, or was it simply a difference in cultural perspective?The viral moment involving Tony Elumelu has sparked an important conversation about respect, workplace culture, hierarchy, communication, and cultural differences.What feels completely normal in one culture can be interpreted very differently in another. That’s why cultural intelligence matters; especially when we work, lead, and connect across different backgrounds.Before you judge the behavior, understand the culture behind it.JOIN THE FREE 5-DAY CONNECTION CATALYST CHALLENGE!📅 August 24–28🎟️ Register FREE using the link in the bio.Learn how to communicate better, bridge cultural gaps, and build stronger connections.#TonyElumelu #CulturalIntelligence #Culture #CulturalDifferences #WorkplaceCulture #Communication #Leadership #DrRuthAkumbu #ConnectionCatalyst #ConnectionCatalystChallenge #CultureMatters

I WANT YOU TO BE PART OF THIS!Have you ever wondered how much stronger your relationships, teams, and communication could become with the right tools?I’m inviting you to join me for the 5-Day Connection Catalyst Challenge, happening 24th–28th August!This powerful challenge is designed to help you move from cross-cultural misunderstanding and disconnection to clarity, trust, and stronger relationships.Over 5 days, we’ll explore practical ways to:✨ Build stronger connections✨ Communicate across differences✨ Develop greater understanding and trust✨ Strengthen relationships and teams✨ Turn differences into opportunities for growthWhether you're a leader, professional, team member, entrepreneur, or simply someone who wants to build better relationships, this challenge is for you!And the best part? Registration is FREE!Register today and join me for the 5-Day Connection Catalyst Challenge.📅 24th–28th AugustDon’t just work alongside people. Learn how to truly CONNECT with them.#ConnectionCatalyst #ConnectionCatalystChallenge #5DayChallenge #DrRuthAkumbu #TeamBuilding #CrossCulturalCommunication #Leadership #CommunicationSkills #WorkplaceCulture #EmotionalIntelligence

What happens when people stop simply working together and start truly connecting?

The Connection Catalyst Challenge is a powerful 5-day experience designed to help individuals, leaders, and teams strengthen communication, build trust, improve relationships, and create a healthier culture of connection.

From 24th–28th August, you’ll discover practical insights and strategies that can help transform the way you communicate, collaborate, and connect with the people around you.

Whether you're a team leader, business owner, professional, or someone who wants to build stronger relationships, this challenge is for you.

🔥 Don’t just build a team. Build CONNECTION.

👉 Register FREE for the 5-Day Connection Catalyst Challenge today!

📅 24th–28th August
🔗 Link in bio

#ConnectionCatalyst #ConnectionCatalystChallenge #5DayChallenge #TeamBuilding

Join the challenge here:https://www.connectioncatalystchallenge.com/🚨 What if ONE conversation could completely change your life?Most people struggle to build genuine relationships because they use the wrong approach. In this video, you'll discover the proven principles behind the Connection Catalyst Challenge—a practical framework to help you communicate with confidence, create authentic relationships, and unlock new personal and professional opportunities.Whether you're an entrepreneur, coach, leader, ministry worker, or someone who wants deeper friendships, this challenge will help you stop feeling awkward and start creating meaningful connections that last.🔥 In this video you'll learn:Why most networking advice failsThe #1 mindset shift for building authentic relationshipsHow to confidently start meaningful conversationsSimple daily actions that create lasting connectionsHow stronger relationships can open doors you never expected💬 Question for you: What's the biggest challenge you face when meeting new people? Let me know in the comments!👍 If you found this helpful, don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and Share so you never miss more tips on communication, networking, leadership, and personal growth.#ConnectionCatalyst #Networking #CommunicationSkills #PersonalGrowth #Leadership #RelationshipBuilding #BusinessNetworking #Confidence #SuccessMindset #SelfDevelopment

Have you ever wondered why the same message can be understood differently by different people? In the workplace, interpretation gaps can quietly create misunderstandings, conflict, poor teamwork, and missed opportunities, often without anyone realizing the real cause.

In this insightful presentation, Dr. Ruth Akumbu explores how differences in culture, communication styles, experiences, assumptions, and perspectives can influence the way people interpret workplace messages and situations.

Discover how interpretation gaps can become a silent barrier to effective communication, collaboration, productivity, professional relationships, and workplace success—and learn why understanding how others interpret information is essential for creating a more inclusive and successful work environment.

Culture shapes the way we communicate, understand information, interpret situations, and relate with others. In this insightful session, Dr. Ruth Akumbu explores how cultural differences can create interpretation gaps and misunderstandings in communication.

Discover how our cultural backgrounds influence our perceptions, assumptions, language, values, and responses—and learn practical ways to bridge these gaps for better understanding and more effective communication.

Whether in the classroom, workplace, community, or everyday relationships, understanding culture is essential for building stronger connections and avoiding unnecessary misunderstandings.

Why Your Team's Results Depends On Relationships, Not Just Skills

You can hire the most skilled people in the room and still watch your results stall. Why? Because skill without connection doesn't drive performance — relationships do.

In this episode, Dr. Ruth Vitsemmo Akumbu breaks down the real reason high-performing teams outperform high-talent ones: trust, communication, and connection do more heavy lifting than technical ability ever will. Drawing from her work coaching leaders and entrepreneurs, Dr. Akumbu unpacks what it actually takes to build a team that delivers — consistently.

If you're leading a team (or trying to build one that works), this episode will change how you think about hiring, culture, and leadership.

🎧 Tune in now.

📘 Learn more: themilliondollarmindbook.com👤 Follow: @ruthakumbu

Why Smart Women Charge So Little

You can have the degrees, the results, and the track record — and still quietly undercharge. It's not a confidence flaw, and it's not a skills gap. It's a pricing model built on the wrong thing.

In this episode, Dr. Ruth Akumbu (PhD, Global Leadership & Change) names what so many capable women won't say out loud: they price by the clock, by what feels "reasonable," by what they think won't scare the client away — instead of by the value they actually create. She draws on her own collision with a pay ceiling after earning a PhD, and what it took to stop defending her rates and start setting them.

Pulling from her book The Million Dollar Mind: How to Build a World-Class Coaching Business from What You Already Know, this is for the woman who's tired of shrinking her worth to feel safe — and ready to get paid for the outcomes she delivers.

What to Sell Instead of Your Hours (Get Paid Your Worth)

You can be the best at what you do and still hit a ceiling and it's not a hustle problem. It's a pricing problem.

In this episode, Dr. Ruth Akumbu (PhD, Global Leadership & Change) breaks down why experienced professionals and coaches plateau even when their results are strong: they're still selling time, not value. Whether it shows up as an hourly rate, a project fee, or a retainer, if availability is what you're pricing on, you've built in a ceiling.

Ruth shares three shifts that move you out of constant negotiating and into pricing as a decision the client makes not one you have to defend plus the personal story of hitting her own pay ceiling after earning a PhD, and what it taught her about value-based pricing.

Drawing on her book The Million Dollar Mind: How to Build a World-Class Coaching Business from What You Already Know, this episode is for anyone — coach, consultant, or employee — ready to stop trading hours for dollars and start getting paid for outcomes.

Contact Us – Ruth Akumbu

Find her on Social Media Platforms @DrRuthAkumbu

Welcome to the Jambo! Dr. Akumbu Podcast
Episode Title: The Evolution of AI in Education
Featuring: Dr. Ruth Akumbu & Dr. Eugene Kim

In this insightful episode, we dive into the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence in education. Join Dr. Ruth Akumbu and Dr. Eugene Kim as we share candid stories about how we first encountered AI, how it's shaping our classrooms and careers today, and what its future might hold for teaching, learning, and human connection.

💡 Whether you're curious about AI, passionate about education, or navigating both worlds—this episode is for you.

#JamboPodcast #AIinEducation #EdTech #RuthAkumbu #EugeneKim #ArtificialIntelligence #FutureOfLearning #GlobalEducation #STEM #Leadership

In this episode, we explore the challenges that nonprofits face when navigating crises, leadership struggles, and financial instability. Drawing from the article, Leadership, Service, and Wicked Problems: Impact of War, Lack of Funding, and COVID-19 in Service of Those with Fewer Opportunities (https://doi.org/10.57229/2834-2267.1024), I examine how external disruptions like war and global pandemics push organizations to the brink.

How do leaders adapt under pressure? What happens when mission-driven work collides with chaos? And what strategies can help nonprofits survive and sustain impact amid uncertainty?

Join me for an insightful discussion on crisis leadership, resilience, and the real-world struggles of organizations fighting to make a difference.

Leading Across Borders: Interview and Reflections on Leadership, Diversity, and Teaching.

Read more: https://ruthakumbu.substack.com/p/leading-across-borders

Change Management in the Church: Dr. Akumbu and Rev. Dr. Haney discuss change management in the church following Rev. Dr. Haney's research findings.

Dr. Akumbu and Dr. Kim discuss their trips to Europe and lessons learned.

Nov 15, 2023 Episode

Welcome to Jambo! Dr. Akumbu. Bringing you culturally relevant multifaceted conversations and reflections intersecting education, entertainment, and business, committed to DEIB and cultural capacity building.
Today's conversation is titled Experiencing African Classrooms.

Guest: Dr. Carol Carson is an educator in Los Angeles. After her first trip to Africa, she shared her experience, indicating that observing African children's behavior in the classroom was the highlight of her trip.
Contact Dr. Akumbu:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/TsenteStore www.ruthakumbu.com ⁠https://www.plantaseedafrica.org/

⁠ ⁠Your support is appreciated.

https://anchor.fm/dr-akumbu/support⁠

Welcome to Jambo! Dr. Akumbu. Bringing you culturally relevant multifaceted conversations and reflections intersecting education, entertainment, and business, committed to DEIB and cultural capacity building.

My guest is Dean Chalak Richards, a justice advocate. Dean Richards currently serves as Dean of Students, Diversity, and Belonging at the Caruso School of Law at Pepperdine University. She is dedicated to bringing diversity, equity, inclusion, and a true sense of ownership and belonging to the law.

Join us as we discuss the Legalities of DEIB: Black Women in Higher Education

In honor of Dr. JoAnne A. Epps and Dr. Antoinette Candia-Bailey⁠.

Wishing Dr. Claudine Gay great success in her future endeavors.

https://tsentestore.etsy.com/www.ruthakumbu.com⁠https://www.plantaseedafrica.org/⁠⁠Your support is appreciated. https://anchor.fm/dr-akumbu/support⁠

ContactDr. Akumbu: https://ruthakumbu.wixsite.com/drakumbu#education

#communication #consulting #entertainment #podcast #drakumbu #DEIB #Culture #Law

Welcome to Jambo! Dr. Akumbu. Bringing you culturally relevant multifaceted conversations and reflections intersecting education, entertainment, and business, committed to DEIB and cultural capacity building.

Today, I reflect on the events in Africa. Africa Leads: Coups or Revolutions?⁠

https://www.etsy.com/shop/TsenteStore

www.ruthakumbu.com⁠

https://www.plantaseedafrica.org/⁠⁠

Your support is appreciated. https://anchor.fm/dr-akumbu/support⁠

Contact Dr. Akumbu: https://ruthakumbu.com #education #communication #consulting #entertainment #podcast #drakumbu #DEIB #Culture #Law #Africa

Welcome to Jambo! Dr. Akumbu. Bringing you culturally relevant multifaceted conversations and reflections intersecting education, entertainment, and business, committed to DEIB and cultural capacity building. My guest is Dean Chalak Richards, a justice advocate. Dean Richards currently serves as Dean of Students, Diversity, and Belonging at the Caruso School of Law at Pepperdine University. She is dedicated to bringing diversity, equity, inclusion, and a true sense of ownership and belonging to the law.  Join us as we discuss the Legalities of DEIB: Juneteenth-Affirmative Action

https://www.etsy.com/shop/TsenteStore?ref=profile

https://www.plantaseedafrica.org/ Your support is appreciated. https://anchor.fm/dr-akumbu/support

Contact Dr. Akumbu: https://ruthakumbu.wixsite.com/drakumbu#education #communication #consulting #entertainment #podcast #drakumbu #DEIB #Culture #Law

Jambo! Dr. Akumbu. Bringing you culturally relevant multifaceted conversations and reflections intersecting education, entertainment, and business, committed to DEIB and cultural capacity building.

My guest is Dean Chalak Richards, a justice advocate. Dean Richards currently serves as Dean of Students, Diversity, and Belonging at the Caruso School of Law at Pepperdine University. She is dedicated to bringing diversity, equity, inclusion, and a true sense of ownership and belonging to the law. 

Join us as we discuss the Legalities of DEIB from an institutional and societal perspective.

Your support is appreciated. https://anchor.fm/dr-akumbu/support

Contact

Dr. Akumbu: https://ruthakumbu.wixsite.com/drakumbu

#education #communication #consulting #entertainment #podcast #drakumbu #DEIB #Culture #Law

Jambo! Dr. Akumbu. Bringing you culturally relevant multifaceted conversations and reflections intersecting education, entertainment, and business, committed to DEIB and cultural capacity building.

My guest is Peres Owino. Peres is the writer/director of “BOUND: Africans vs African-Americans,” winner of the Audience Award for Best Documentary at PAFF, an NAACP Image Award nominee for Seasons of Love, which was produced by Taraji P. Henson and co-writer of “African Queens - Njinga” currently on Netflix.

Links referenced: The Historical Perspective of The Woman King with historian, journalist, and the author of Queens of Africa and Heroines of the Black Diaspora, Sylvia Serbin. https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/hVbQ3EF5Xyb

https://youtu.be/EQF6yILA_ZE

“BOUND: Africans vs African-Americans” trailer: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/127283531

Full movie on Amazon, Itunes, and more.

I do not have the rights to the music references in the video. The goal is to highlight and support the African culture, artists, and diversity in music.#podcast #change #intercultural #drakumbu #dialogue #advocates #education #diversity #deib #entertainment #africanmovies #netflix

Welcome to Jambo! Dr. Akumbu. Bringing you culturally relevant multifaceted conversations and reflections intersecting education, entertainment, and business, committed to DEIB and cultural capacity building.

My guest is Dean Chalak Richards, a justice advocate. Dean Richards currently serves as Dean of Students, Diversity, and Belonging at the Caruso School of Law at Pepperdine University. She is dedicated to bringing diversity, equity, inclusion, and a true sense of ownership and belonging to the law. 

Join us as we discuss the Legalities of DEIB and more from a Christian and interpersonal perspective.

Your support is appreciated. https://anchor.fm/dr-akumbu/support

Contact

Dr. Akumbu: https://ruthakumbu.wixsite.com/drakumbu

#education #communication #consulting #entertainment #podcast #drakumbu #DEIB #Culture #Law

Jambo! Dr. Akumbu, podcast, bringing you culturally relevant multifaceted conversations and reflections intersecting education, entertainment, and business, committed to DEIB and cultural capacity building.

My guest is Dr. Aasiyah N. Ghazi, Indian-Pakistani-American She is a leadership consultant and associate Professor of leadership at the University of Arizona Global Campus. In this episode, we’ll reflect on Culture and Community in Times of Crisis as Dr.Ghazi and myself reflect on the power of faith, community, and culture as our friends and family members struggle with health issues. You can listen to the previous episode with Dr. Ghazi following by clicking on this link: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/TDNtW9iGxyb

Your support is appreciated. https://anchor.fm/dr-akumbu/support

Contact

Dr. Akumbu: https://ruthakumbu.wixsite.com/drakumbu or ruthakumbu@gmail.com

Dr. Ghazi: aasiyah@aasiyah.com

#education #communication #consulting #entertainment #podcast #drakumbu #DEIB #Culture

Jambo! Dr. Akumbu. Bringing you culturally relevant multifaceted conversations and reflections intersecting education, entertainment, and business, committed to DEIB and cultural capacity building.

Today’s reflection is titled: Apostle Paul Was Woke.

The Bible is a book with deep cultural underpinnings. It follows particular beliefs, values, norms, history, heritage, language, and traditions. To understand the culture of Christians today and of old, one must be willing to learn. Christians argue that non-Christians or people like Paul in the Bible could not understand some of the concepts in the Bible unless God opened their eyes, particularly their spiritual eyes.

In Acts 9:1-19, New International Version talks about Paul or Saul’s conversion.

In 1962  William Melvin Kelley wrote, "If you’re woke, you dig it" – meaning if you’re in the know, you understand (https://www.foxnews.com/us/what-does-woke-mean).

Contact for coaching and consulting: https://ruthakumbu.wixsite.com/drakumbu   

#education #communication #consulting #entertainment #podcast #drakumbu #DEIB #Culture #Diversity #Equity, #Inclusion, and #Belonging #drakumbu #culture #culturalrelevance #entertainmentindustry #education #leadership #blackowned #blackwomenleader

Welcome to Jambo! Dr. Akumbu. Bringing you culturally relevant multifaceted conversations and reflections intersecting education, entertainment, and business, committed to DEIB and cultural capacity building.

In today’s episode titled CRT or CRT, I reflect on the clash between culture and theory in our society.

Contact for coaching and consulting: https://ruthakumbu.wixsite.com/drakumbu  #education #communication #consulting #entertainment #podcast #drakumbu #DEIB #Culture

Jambo! Dr. Akumbu. Bringing you culturally relevant multifaceted conversations and reflections intersecting education, entertainment, and business, committed to DEIB and cultural capacity building.

I'm your host, Dr. Ruth Vitsemmo Akumbu. In this reflective episode, I share my #Reflection, #Prayer, and #Self-Love following the death of #TyrieNicols.

#Diversity #Equity, #Inclusion, and #Belonging #drakumbu #culture #culturalrelevance #entertainmentindustry #education #leadership #blackowned #blackwomenleader

Welcome, Jambo! Dr. Akumbu. Bringing you culturally relevant multifaceted conversations and reflections intersecting education, entertainment, and business, committed to DEIB and cultural capacity building.  

I'm your host, Dr. Ruth Vitsemmo Akumbu. My guest is Kevin Coffee, Professor of Communication Studies at West Los Angeles college. In this episode, we will address Thinking in Education and offer solutions to current challenges.    

Current episode: YouTube: Link https://youtu.be/2JnEnK2cElM  

Anchor/Spotify: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/rQyd6VWZ2wb  

Related episodes:  

Cultural Relevance of Mathematics: https://youtu.be/rfECGWCgPJ4 with Kevin Coffee   

Fear of Failure: https://youtu.be/YISvy9vm-tw with Dr. Farzin Madjidi  

Contact for coaching and consulting: https://ruthakumbu.wixsite.com/drakumbu   #education #communication #consulting #entertainment #podcast #drakumbu #DEIB #Culture

Welcome to Jambo! Dr. Akumbu. Bringing you culturally relevant multifaceted conversations and reflections intersecting education, entertainment, and business, with a commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) and cultural capacity building.

In today's episode, The Move Back, my guest Terence Rosemore, an #actor, #writer, #director, and #producer, shares his journey and #experiences in the #entertainment industry. He also discusses lessons learned and offers advice for aspiring actors and #filmmakers. Whether you work in the industry or not, there is a message there for you.  #YouTube @jambodrakumbu

Do listen, share, subscribe or follow for more episodes.

#Diversity #Equity, #Inclusion, and #Belonging #drakumbu #culture #culturalrelevance #entertainmentindustry

Links reference in our conversation

- https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0741893/

- https://funkyunclerecords.com/collections/all

- https://tubitv.com/movies/586400/different-worlds

Welcome to Jambo! Dr. Akumbu. Bringing you culturally relevant multifaceted conversations and reflections intersecting education, entertainment, and business, with a commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) and cultural capacity building.

In this episode of Jambo! Dr. Akumbu, my guest Dr. Brian Corpening, Chief #Diversity Officer at California State #University, Monterey Bay, addresses #DEIB in #HigherEd from #experiences spanning about 40 years, in addition to his #leadership approach. He looks at both the positives and challenges facing #DEIB. Click on the link to listen: https://lnkd.in/gYuKU2-9. Also available on Apple podcast, #YouTube, or wherever you get your #podcast.

#Equity, #Inclusion, and #Belonging

Article: 3 Princeton DEI staff members resign, alleging lack of support

https://www.dailyprincetonian.com/article/2022/12/princeton-dei-resign-staff-athletics-share-lack-of-support

Jambo! Dr. Akumbu. Bringing you culturally relevant multifaceted conversations and reflections intersecting education, entertainment, and business, with a commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) and cultural capacity building.

My guest is Louis Montgomery, Jr., is a Partner at JM Search. In this episode, he addresses issues in #DEIB and the importance of DEIB in #leadership. Louis shares what he looks for when #recruiting DEIB Officers and much more. Click on the to listen: https://anchor.fm/dr-akumbu/episodes/DEIB-Matters-in-Leadership-e1tbmhk Also available on Apple podcast, #YouTube, or wherever you get your #podcast, as reflected in the resources below.

· WHITEPAPER: 3 Strategies for Adding More Diversity to Your Talent Model

· WEBINAR: Building D&I Talent Pipelines for InvestmentAdvantage

· https://jmsearch.com/podcast-thought-leadership-leverage/

Episode 1 of the Intercultural Dialogues series. Change catalyst Eugene P. Kim, PhD and I engage in #culturally rich and relevant conversations centered around the movie #decisiontoleave. The episode is available on my YouTube channel and podcast. Do join the conversation and subscribe using the link below. #podcast #change #phd #intercultural #drakumbu #dialogue #advocates #education #diversity #deib #deib

To those who have been waiting, here is episode 2 of the Intercultural Dialogues series. Change catalyst Eugene P. Kim, PhD and I engage in #culturally rich and relevant conversations centered around the movie #decisiontoleave. The episode is available on my YouTube channel and podcast. Do join the conversation and subscribe using the link below. #podcast #change #phd #intercultural #drakumbu #dialogue #advocates #education #diversity #deib #deib

https://youtu.be/Nk-XLM6-dvQ

I'm your host, Dr. Ruth Vitsemmo Akumbu. My guest is Kevin Coffee, Professor of Communications at West Los Angeles Community College. In this episode, we’re going to discuss the Cultural Relevance of Mathematics. Mathematics is a universal subject, but it can also differ based on the local context and culture of the learner.

Coaching/Consulting/Speaker: https://ruthakumbu.wixsite.com/drakumbu

Jambo! Dr. Akumbu. Bringing you culturally relevant multifaceted conversations and reflections intersecting education, entertainment, and business, with a commitment to DEIB and cultural capacity building.

I'm your host, Dr. Ruth Vitsemmo Akumbu. My guest is Sylvia Serbin, and today, we’re going to discuss the Historical Perspective of The Woman King. Sylvia is a historian, journalist, and the author of Queens of Africa and Heroines of the Black Diaspora. Our past informs our present and our future.

Coaching/Consulting/Speaker: https://ruthakumbu.wixsite.com/drakumbu

Sylvia Serbin on Amazons of Dahomey October 24, 2022, with Dr. Akumbu

Origin of slavery on the continent.

The African continent has been the most assaulted area in the world for the deportation of its black populations by other countries. As far back as ancient Egypt, pharaohs attacked the black kingdoms of Nubia to steal their gold and enslave their people. Later, after the invasion of North Africa in the seventh century by Bedouins from Arabia, to impose Islam in this part of the world, West Africa, called at the time the land of the Blacks, was the object of an intense slave trade organized by Arab merchants across the Sahara Desert. This slave trade lasted for 14 centuries, taking free black populations from their land, and selling them as slaves on the slave markets of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya. These people were then dispatched to palaces in Arabia, France, Spain, Portugal, India, China, Turkey, Iran, Russia, etc. From the 15th century onwards, it was the turn of the Europeans to join the Arabs in kidnapping these African populations and deporting them across the Atlantic Ocean to the new colonies that Europeans had appropriated in the Americas, Brazil, the West Indies, etc. This is how Africans went to work for free under the whip of slavery to develop these European colonies, whose Native American populations had been exterminated. And it was these Africans who helped to enrich the future European capitalists who would later dominate the world.

When European ships arrived on African shores, loaded with worthless goods, they demanded that men, women, and children be delivered in exchange. Coastal kingdoms, needing to preserve their power against neighboring territories, entered the game to get guns in exchange. The possession of European firearms gave them superiority over enemy armies that had only poisoned arrows and spears. And the more weapons they wanted, the more they had to fight other tribes to take prisoners and sell them to European slave traders. The kingdom of Dahomey, about which the film is concerned, was completely within this reasoning. And it was not the only one. Ghana, Nigeria, Kongo, etc, did the same. The Amazons of Dahomey were not directly involved in the slave trade. They were soldiers and executors. They obeyed orders by bringing back prisoners from their military confrontations. This trade was under the control of the king and high-ranking members of his court who delivered captives to Europeans. The main Amazons’ role was to fight for their country and for their king. Even today, in the so-called democratic western countries, the military obeys orders but does not necessarily profit from them.

How can knowledge about Africa and African warriors contribute to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging?

What is important for us today is to change the image of submission and docility that slavery and colonization have created on black women. When we have a strong temper, we are called aggressive. But nobody wants to recognize us as strong, responsible, combative, and bearers of values such as dignity, a sense of freedom, courage, pride, and heroism.

I'm your host, Dr. Ruth Vitsemmo Akumbu. My guest is Dr. Farzin Madjidi, Interim Dean of the Graduate School of Education and Psychology at Pepperdine University. Our conversation is titled the Fear of Failure. The competitive nature of society shows that for some to succeed, others must fail. This is a dilemma because many people shy away from engaging in activities that can result in failure. How can one succeed if they are unwilling or too afraid to fail?

Coaching/Consulting/Speaker: https://ruthakumbu.wixsite.com/drakumbu

Jambo! Dr. Akumbu. This podcast is dedicated to strengthening individuals and organizations through cultural capacity-building, integration, augmentation, and storytelling. Dr. Akumbu is a nonprofit and educational leader committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). She brings you multifaceted conversations and reflections intersecting education, entertainment, and business. What is the cultural relevance of your product/company/curriculum/and more? Driving cultural relevance & changing the narrative/BIPOC. Coaching/Consulting: https://ruthakumbu.wixsite.com/drakumbu

Jambo! Dr. Akumbu. Bringing you culturally relevant multifaceted conversations and reflections intersecting education, entertainment, and business, committed to DEIB and cultural capacity building.

My guest is Dr. Aasiyah N. Ghazi, Indian-Pakistani-American She is a leadership consultant and associate Professor of leadership at the University of Arizona Global Campus. In this episode, we’ll reflect on Culture and Identity. We dedicate this episode to Nika Shakarmi (16) and Sarina Esmailzadeh (16), who lost their lives in the fight for their identity in Iran. We encourage you to ponder how one preserves their culture while creating an individual identity.

Your support is appreciated. https://anchor.fm/dr-akumbu/support

Contact

Dr. Akumbu: https://ruthakumbu.wixsite.com/drakumbu or ruthakumbu@gmail.com

Dr. Ghazi: aasiyah@aasiyah.com

Jambo Dr. Akumbu! Bringing you culturally relevant multifaceted conversations and reflections intersecting education, entertainment, and business, committed to DEIB and cultural capacity building.

I'm Dr. Ruth Vitsemmo Akumbu, and today I'll reflect on a letter I wrote to my dear after the death of George Floyd. This episode is titled, My Dear White Friend. I believe that empathy is a virtue, and prayer must be followed by action.

Your support is appreciated. https://anchor.fm/dr-akumbu/support

Contact

Dr. Akumbu: https://ruthakumbu.wixsite.com/drakumbu or ruthakumbu@gmail.com

I'm Dr. Ruth Vitsemmo Akumbu, and today’s topic is You’re Not Dumb. I believe that you can turn your knowledge into intelligence.

Your support is appreciated. https://anchor.fm/dr-akumbu/support

Contact

Dr. Akumbu: https://ruthakumbu.wixsite.com/drakumbu or ruthakumbu@gmail.com

I'm Dr. Ruth Vitsemmo Akumbu, and today I'll reflect on The Similarities Between Hispanic Heritage and My Heritage.

I believe that we are more alike than we are different.

Your support is appreciated. https://anchor.fm/dr-akumbu/support

Contact

Dr. Akumbu: https://ruthakumbu.wixsite.com/drakumbu or ruthakumbu@gmail.com

I'm Dr. Ruth Vitsemmo Akumbu, and today I'll reflect on Culture and Dressing: My Hair is the Death of Me. This episode is dedicated to Mahsah Amini. I believe that evolution in culture is not always a bad thing.

Your support is appreciated. https://anchor.fm/dr-akumbu/support

Contact

Dr. Akumbu: https://ruthakumbu.wixsite.com/drakumbu or ruthakumbu@gmail.com

I'm Dr. Ruth Vitsemmo Akumbu, and today I'll reflect on The Cultural Relevance of The Woman King Starring Viola Davis. Make sure you listen to the end and share your reflection. You can also listen to the episode, My Cousins in America and Across the Globe. I believe that healing our past wounds start with us.

Your support is appreciated. https://anchor.fm/dr-akumbu/support

Contact

Dr. Akumbu: https://ruthakumbu.wixsite.com/drakumbu or ruthakumbu@gmail.com

My name, my culture, my identity.

Welcome to Driving Cultural Relevance With Dr. Akumbu, bringing you multifaceted conversations intersecting education, entertainment, and business, committed to cultural relevance, DEIB, and cultural capacity building.

I'm Dr. Ruth Vitsemmo Akumbu, and today, I’ll be reflecting on My Name, My Culture, My Identity. Make sure you listen to the end and share your story with me.

Your support is appreciated. https://anchor.fm/dr-akumbu/support

Contact

Dr. Akumbu: https://ruthakumbu.wixsite.com/drakumbu or ruthakumbu@gmail.com

Dr. Akumbu reflects on and addresses the reactions of some Christians after the death of George Floyd, and the Black Lives Matter protests.

Your support is appreciated. https://anchor.fm/dr-akumbu/support

Contact

Dr. Akumbu: https://ruthakumbu.wixsite.com/drakumbu or ruthakumbu@gmail.com

After the death of George Floyd, Dr. Akumbu shares her heart with all black people in America and across the globe whose ancestors were enslaved. Healing the wounds from our past starts with us.

Your support is appreciated. https://anchor.fm/dr-akumbu/support

Contact

Dr. Akumbu: https://ruthakumbu.wixsite.com/drakumbu or ruthakumbu@gmail.com

In this episode, Dr. Akumbu uses the Akumbu Cultural Integration and Augmentation (CIA) framework to analyze the cultural relevance of the Black Panther movie. She also uses the Transfer and Adoption of Universal Principles (TAUP) model.

Your support is appreciated. https://anchor.fm/dr-akumbu/support

Contact

Dr. Akumbu: https://ruthakumbu.wixsite.com/drakumbu or ruthakumbu@gmail.com

Dissertation topic: Culturally Relevant Elements for K-12 Education in Kisii. Recommended nine culturally relevant elements to be integrated into the Kisii education system in Kenya using the Akumbu Cultural Integration and Augmentation Framework.

ABSTRACT

This research aims to examine the relationship between the key elements, if any, of culturally relevant education that might enhance learning for primary and secondary students in the Kisii tribe in Kenya. It explores the influence of colonization on the structure and execution of the school curriculum in the Kisii tribe, focusing on mathematics. This study argues that there is a mismatch between what and how Kisii children learn in school and at home. Thus, it seeks to understand how decolonized practices in mathematics education could simultaneously promote more learning and richer cultural fidelity and heritage. The study examined elements of culture such as beliefs, norms, and values that can be leveraged from participants’ knowledge and experiences to enhance learning, with a focus on mathematics. This qualitative research examined lived experiences of teachers, parents, students, cultural experts, and administrators using the focused ethnographic research approach. Data were collected from a total of 60 participants, divided into eight focus groups consisting of six to nine participants. The following analysis techniques aided in examining data: thematic analysis for the development of themes, Hammond’s (2015) culture tree for examining the significance of elements on learning, and epistemic network analysis for validating the finding from the thematic analysis. This research confirms that there is a mismatch between what and how Kisii children learn in school and at home. The Epistemic Network Analysis result confirms the following elements support learning and teaching for students in Kisii K-12 schools: initiation, language, heritage, oral traditions, values, beliefs, rewards and punishment, practical over theory, and local STEM. Local STEM is local ways of solving complex issues, counting and math, and applying scientific concepts both in and out of the classrooms by teachers and students to enhance learning. This multilayered analysis has contributed to the Akumbu Cultural Integration and Augmentation (CIA) framework and the Akumbu Transfer and Adoption of Universal Principles (TAUP) model.

Keywords: culture, mathematics, relevance, cultural relevance, decolonization, curriculum, misalignment, formal education, informal education, STEM, Kisii, Kenya, Africa

Reference:  Akumbu, R.V. (2022). Culturally relevant elements for K–12 education in Kisii. (Order No. 29323485) [Doctoral dissertation, Pepperdine University]. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.

Your support is appreciated. https://anchor.fm/dr-akumbu/support

Contact

Dr. Akumbu: https://ruthakumbu.wixsite.com/drakumbu or ruthakumbu@gmail.com