E59: Yawa Degboe isn't giving up her Togolese heritage

Hello, I'd really like to grow this email list. If you enjoy this newsletter, it would mean the world to Jola and I if you encouraged one friend/fellow immigrant/colleague to subscribe…Very likely, the the only thing you will get in return is warm fuzzy feelings, and if I can attribute it to you, I’d personally send you a thank you email.

Join us as we explore the bitter-sweet world of the immigrant.

In this episode, I’m speaking with Yawa Degboe, who moved to Paris, France as a 4yo. Years later, she moved across the Atlantic to Boston, United States.

So, a second-generation immigrant during her time in France. And now a first-generation immigrant in the United States. One would be forgiven to think she would be more French than Togolese. Because I did. think so.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Yawa is all about embracing her French and Togolese identities. And I agree. Very often, you hear immigrants talk about discarding who they used to be so they can assimilate into the new culture.

You aren't doing yourself any favors if you march down that road.

The advantage of being an immigrant is the unique individual you become when you merge your old self and the new self. You create something so beautiful, so different, so special.

But back to Yawa. In this conversation, we chat about her journey as a first-generation immigrant to the United States. We also explored:

* Dealing with survival mentality

* The various identities we immigrants carry with us

* The advantages of being an immigrant

* How she’s using the lessons she’s learned from her Mom to create a new future for the next generation

* Tips for French immigrants looking to move to an English-speaking country, and more beautiful stuff.

Integrate folks. Don’t assimilate.

Official Links

👋🏽 Follow Yawa on LinkedIn

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