One 54 Podcast

Neo-soul pioneer Goapele joins the One54 Africa Podcast for a powerful conversation on identity, legacy, and building a career on her own terms.

Born to a South African father who fled apartheid and a German-Jewish mother, Goapele reflects on growing up in Oakland, navigating race and belonging, and uncovering the untold stories of her family’s past.

She opens up about the silence surrounding apartheid trauma, the complexity of mixed identity, and how culture, language, and history shape who we become.

Goapele also breaks down her journey as an independent artist — owning her masters, building her fanbase from the ground up, and creating timeless music like “Closer.”

From the Bay Area to South Africa, this episode explores music, activism, and the power of staying true to yourself.
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World-renowned chef Marcus Samuelsson joins One54 for a powerful conversation on identity, resilience, and building a global legacy through food.

Born in Ethiopia and adopted into a Swedish family, Marcus shares his journey from surviving childhood illness and loss to growing up in Sweden and navigating racism at a young age. He opens up about reconnecting with his Ethiopian roots, meeting his biological father later in life, and the emotional weight of understanding both sides of his story.

Marcus breaks down his rise in the culinary world — from training across Europe and Japan to becoming a top chef in New York City. He reflects on betting on himself, overcoming barriers, and the moment he was told a Black chef couldn’t own a restaurant.

The episode also dives into African food culture, jollof debates, global travel, and how food connects communities across the diaspora.

From Ethiopia to Sweden to New York, this is a story of purpose, perseverance, and redefining what’s possible.
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Mr. Olympia champion Samson Dauda joins One54 for a powerful conversation about discipline, identity, and what it takes to become the best in the world.

Born in Nigeria and raised in the UK, Samson shares his journey from strict boarding school life to discovering rugby, fitness, and ultimately bodybuilding. He opens up about the discipline ingrained in Nigerian culture, the culture shock of moving to the UK, and how those early experiences shaped his mindset and work ethic.

Samson breaks down his rise in bodybuilding, the grind behind becoming the first Nigerian-born athlete to win Mr. Olympia, and what it felt like to finally reach the top after years of setbacks. He also dives into the science of bodybuilding — from training and nutrition to stage presence and competition strategy.

From Lagos to the global stage, this episode explores resilience, sacrifice, and the mindset required to build greatness.
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Joy Reid joins the show for a wide-ranging conversation on politics, history, and the global Black experience. The discussion begins with the 2024 election, Donald Trump, and shifting global power dynamics, including whether the world is entering a “China Century” as America faces growing political division.
Reid reflects on her groundbreaking career as the first Black woman to host a primetime cable news show and shares how her background as the daughter of immigrants from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Guyana shaped her worldview. She also discusses how her multicultural upbringing influences her perspective on race, politics, and identity.
The conversation then turns to colonialism and how European empires reshaped societies across the Caribbean and South America. Reid explains how colonial systems created lasting divisions between African and Indian communities after slavery ended, particularly in countries like Trinidad and Guyana.
Reid also breaks down the different historical experiences within the Black diaspora—from Africans on the continent to those enslaved in the Caribbean and the United States. She discusses how American chattel slavery attempted to erase African identity, yet Black Americans went on to build one of the most influential cultures in the world.
The episode explores the global impact of Black American culture on music, food, language, and entertainment, while also addressing historical misconceptions about slavery and Africa. Reid emphasizes the importance of understanding history to overcome divisions within the diaspora.
The conversation closes with a discussion about the growing reconnection between Black Americans and Africa, including the increasing number of people visiting, investing in, and relocating to countries like Ghana as part of a broader movement to reconnect with ancestral roots, shared history, and cultural understanding in overcoming long-standing tensions within the global Black community.
The episode closes with a hopeful conversation about unity, identity, and the power of reconnecting the African diaspora—arguing that when Black communities across the world recognize their shared roots and history, they become an even more powerful force culturally, politically, and globally.
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Dr. Donald Grant, Akbar, and Godfrey come together for an expansive and thought-provoking conversation on mental health, accountability, culture, and personal evolution. Bringing together clinical expertise, lived experience, and sharp cultural commentary, the trio dives deep into the emotional realities shaping relationships, identity, and public life.
Dr. Grant offers insight into trauma, emotional regulation, and the stigma surrounding therapy in the Black community, while Akbar opens up about navigating fame, criticism, motherhood, and growth in the public eye. Godfrey challenges perspectives with fearless humor and social critique, unpacking masculinity, politics, and the psychological impact of social media.
The conversation explores generational patterns, healing in private versus performing growth online, and the tension between accountability and grace. Together, they examine how unaddressed trauma can shape behavior, how culture influences emotional expression, and why intentional healing is essential for breaking cycles.
From raw vulnerability to sharp humor, this episode is a masterclass in self-awareness, cultural honesty, and the power of confronting hard truths in pursuit of growth and legacy.grounded while performing in front of thousands around the world. He also breaks down the business of global sports entertainment, the discipline behind the Globetrotters’ showmanship, and how preparation meets opportunity at the highest level.
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