On today’s show, I talk to the extraordinary Mariama Bah of Nation of Diversity, a non-profit in Raleigh, North Carolina.
On today’s show, I talk to the extraordinary Mariama Bah of Nation of Diversity, a non-profit in Raleigh, North Carolina.
At the young age of 22, Mariama started her own non-profit, helping people with homelessness and mental illness.
Mariama is also raising money to build a school in Africa Guinea, which is from where she moved to the United States at the age of 11.
You do not want to miss this episode! Mariama is an incredible woman, and a true inspiration for all human beings!Â
Stay tuned to the end so that you can hear about volunteering opportunities at Nation of Diversity, and listen out for Mariama's contact details to make any donations that you may wish to make.Â
Topics:
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:11 Introduction to Mariama Bah
00:02:30 Starting her non-profit called Nation of Diversity by reducing homelessness and maintaining mental health through creative artsÂ
00:03:13 Experiences of moving from Africa Guinea to New York CityÂ
00:04:58 Moving to North Carolina and finding other international studentsÂ
00:05:38 Differences and clashes in cultures
00:06:50 Discussions of mental health in different cultures and collisionÂ
00:07:36 Ways of bringing the African and American cultures togetherÂ
00:09:10 The need to manage mental health in the homeless communityÂ
00:10:23 Mental health and homelessness and how they relate
00:12:12 Nation of Diversity Outreach Program on the 14th of every monthÂ
00:13:00 Too many steps required to get out of homelessness
00:13:41 The disempowering nature of having to jump throughÂ
00:14:00 Programs run by Nation of Diversity – Circle Speaks – different forms of art each month – painting, craft, meditation
00:15:04 Wide age of receiving benefit
00:15:50 Therapists available
00:16:00 The benefits of Circle Speaks and sharing within communityÂ
00:16:44 Act of creativity and flow enabling sharingÂ
00:18:43 Creativity and being in the present moment
00:20:11 Circle Speaks opening up the way for people to speak about serious life events, including sexual assault – being able to connect with others with similar experiencesÂ
00:22:55 Benefits of sharing lived experienceÂ
00:24:20 Importance of adults and young people to come together and speak up about mental health challengesÂ
00:26:13 Stigma and homelessness and holding the space to help people in communityÂ
00:28:03 Current project – to remove five women out of homelessnessÂ
00:28:39 Nation of Diversity doing all the ground work to help place people in jobs and homes
00:28:50 Future plans – to have education and other resources to get people back on their feet
00:29:15 Providing the space for people brings people to the resourceÂ
00:30:35 Education system in Africa Guinea and schooling and the need for funds to get schooling, especially for girls – only 28% of females currently going to schoolÂ
00:32:52 Mariama’s Dad’s coffee business in Guinea partnering with Nation of Diversity to raise USD50,000 to build the school in Guinea
00:35:33 Advice for people emigrating from different countriesÂ
00:41:45 Contact details and opportunities to volunteer at Nation of Diversity
00:43:17 ConclusionsÂ
Online resources:
Nation of Diversity:Â www.nodnow.org
IG: @nationofdiversity
Note:
Whilst this show is about raising mental health awareness, I am not a medical doctor and am not qualified to give mental health advice. If you are experiencing any mental health issues, please consult a qualified professional.Â
The “Shuvra Deb: With You” Podcast is inspired and brought to you by Shuvra Deb. Copyright Shuvra Deb ©Â
Contact:Â
Mariama Bah, Nation of Diversity: +1-919-349-1312
Diamond Cafe: @diamondcafe_guicaf and diamondcafe1970@gmail.com
Reach out to me with your comments on my show here:Â shuvradeb82@gmail.com