What are our Team Members doing in the Communities?

Hi Spany, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
The podcast idea started after an educational event at Denver University (DU), where I was invited to be part of a panel on stage to talk about the importance of Education for Africa. After the event, Theoneste Minani, who is my co-host, we ran the show together, approached me to create a platform where we can meet to continue the conversation in the future, instead of the one event. I agreed, and we started talking about it and tried to invite other friends to join us, but they decided not to join us. I tried to start my SOLO podcast called New Age Revolution. However, it was not what I wanted, and I felt like a lot was missing. Fast forward to Nyuki Podcast, where Theo and I started to buy every piece of equipment one by one with our own money—pleading with our wives to allow us to spend some of our saving money to invest into the idea of starting a podcast. They believe in us and support us through this process. We started with just one camera that we brought from Amazon that was about $110, and today we have about eight cameras, lights, microphones to feature four guests at once on our show, and software to edit our videos. We have featured many guests on our show to talk about many different issues affecting our community. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The Lack of support of our community and the people using our platform to share certain information across the community. In the beginning, it was not easy to do because we did not have any support for anybody besides our wife Rachel Kasans and Sharlene Mburunyeme, as I mentioned. We started with nothing, just one camera in a room that was Theo’s guest room, and we turned it into our recording room. We reached out to friends to join us, but many decided not to. People in the community did not subscribe to our channel or help share our podcast with their friends on their social media platforms, and we still struggle with that today. Also, the language barrier is a significant factor in our community, especially for our parents or elders. Their understanding of English is not on the same level as those of us who came here young and attended a school here. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a Youth and Family Resource Director for a non-profits organization called Hope In Our City (HIOC). I passionately guide the youth through both the internal and external challenges of life and encourage them to share their voice. I also support parents as they navigate American systems and life, and I am dedicated to empowering families to realize their God-given potential. I am known for my involvement in church, as a youth leader, the Congolese Soccer team assistant coach, and now as a podcaster. I am most proud of being a husband and a little boy’s father. My faith and belief in God set me apart from others. 

We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I like to read many books, explore new places, and love to try fresh food. 

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