In Season 1, Episode 9, Kola shared something many immigrants quietly relate to — the opportunities we don’t recognize until it’s too late. He talked about not taking an internship that could have opened doors, choosing not to repeat his final high school year here in America (a move that might have helped him secure scholarships), and how he only started applying for jobs at a time when the housing market had crashed. His story reflects a common immigrant experience: sometimes we miss chances simply because we don’t know the system or we don’t understand the value of what’s in front of us.
Last year, I learned my own version of that lesson.
After almost eleven years of ignoring conference emails at work — deleting, skipping, scrolling past — I finally attended two major conferences, including the Magnet Conference in New Orleans. Everything was fully paid for: airfare, accommodation, meals… even my own private hotel room. And I later learned that people attend with their families — it’s allowed — which is why everyone gets their own room. Meanwhile, I was shocked thinking it was an upgrade.
That trip opened my eyes.
At Magnet, Kodi Lee performed at the opening ceremony — yes, Kodi Lee! I met three authors, including Robin Arzón(the killer Peloton instructor and author of Just Run), Shola (author of Ubuntu), and Damon West, author of The Change Agent and the children’s book The Coffee Bean. The exhibit hall was full of the latest medical equipment, new clinical practices, incredible presentations, and even therapy puppies. Charity won a pair of Hoka shoes and an iPad. It was a whole experience.
And that’s when it hit me:
My dad used to travel for conferences when he was senior staff — so subconsciously, I filed conferences under “for big titles only.” I never imagined these opportunities were meant for regular employees too. For everyday people like me.
This episode brings Kola’s lesson and mine together:
When you don’t know the value, you miss the opportunity.
When you don’t understand the system, you stay on the sidelines.
And when something isn’t part of the world you grew up in, you may not realize it belongs to you too.
Sometimes the blessing is already sitting in your inbox.
All you need to do is say yes.
https://www.instagram.com/assortedimmigrantstoriespod?igsh=djdoZXprY2VnMDQx&utm_source=qr
assortedimmigrantstories@gmail.com
www.tiktok.com/@assortedimmigrantstories
#ComingToAmerica #ImmigrantStories #ImmigrantJourneys #ZambiaKuVhalo #DiasporaLiving
In Season 1, Episode 9, Kola shared something many immigrants quietly relate to — the opportunities we don’t recognize until it’s too late. He talked about not taking an internship that could have opened doors, choosing not to repeat his final high school year here in America (a move that might have helped him secure scholarships), and how he only started applying for jobs at a time when the housing market had crashed. His story reflects a common immigrant experience: sometimes we miss chances simply because we don’t know the system or we don’t understand the value of what’s in front of us.
Last year, I learned my own version of that lesson.
After almost eleven years of ignoring conference emails at work — deleting, skipping, scrolling past — I finally attended two major conferences, including the Magnet Conference in New Orleans. Everything was fully paid for: airfare, accommodation, meals… even my own private hotel room. And I later learned that people attend with their families — it’s allowed — which is why everyone gets their own room. Meanwhile, I was shocked thinking it was an upgrade.
That trip opened my eyes.
At Magnet, Kodi Lee performed at the opening ceremony — yes, Kodi Lee! I met three authors, including Robin Arzón(the killer Peloton instructor and author of Just Run), Shola (author of Ubuntu), and Damon West, author of The Change Agent and the children’s book The Coffee Bean. The exhibit hall was full of the latest medical equipment, new clinical practices, incredible presentations, and even therapy puppies. Charity won a pair of Hoka shoes and an iPad. It was a whole experience.
And that’s when it hit me:
My dad used to travel for conferences when he was senior staff — so subconsciously, I filed conferences under “for big titles only.” I never imagined these opportunities were meant for regular employees too. For everyday people like me.
This episode brings Kola’s lesson and mine together:
When you don’t know the value, you miss the opportunity.
When you don’t understand the system, you stay on the sidelines.
And when something isn’t part of the world you grew up in, you may not realize it belongs to you too.
Sometimes the blessing is already sitting in your inbox.
All you need to do is say yes.
https://www.instagram.com/assortedimmigrantstoriespod?igsh=djdoZXprY2VnMDQx&utm_source=qr
assortedimmigrantstories@gmail.com
www.tiktok.com/@assortedimmigrantstories
#ComingToAmerica #ImmigrantStories #ImmigrantJourneys #ZambiaKuVhalo #DiasporaLiving
In this mini-episode of Assorted Immigrant Stories – Lweendo, Zenith reflects on the invisible systems that raise children—and how those systems shift when you leave home.
She begins with memories of working in nursing homes full of fellow Africans, long before she understood the sacrifices families make to survive childcare realities in America. Fast forward to motherhood, and she now finds herself navigating Pre-K schedules, impossible lunch breaks, and the high cost of childcare.
But the heart of this episode lies in what she discovered: the quiet network of community members who help with school pick-ups and drop-offs for a small fee, and the unexpected blessing of finding a Ghanaian “Granny”—a true grandmother figure who stepped into their lives simply because Zenith stayed connected, asked questions, and allowed herself to be part of community.
This is a story about how villages are lost and rebuilt, how support shows up in unexpected places, and how speaking up can introduce you to the people who stand in the gap.
Listen for reflections on:
🌍 How immigrants rebuild community support in America
👵🏾 Finding “Grannies” and helpers by being part of community
🚌 The struggle of pick-ups, drop-offs, and school schedules
🏫 Childhood in Zambia vs. the American school day
💛 The emotional journey of letting your child step into new beginnings
Hashtags:
#AssortedImmigrantStories #ComingToAmerica #ImmigrantJourney #BuildingAVillage #TheVillageWeCreate #LeavingAVillageBehind #BuildingAVillageInAmerica #WhatAVillageLooksLike #PickUpsAndDropOffs #CommunityHelpers #FindingGranny #GrandmasAndGrandpas #ImmigrantParenting #ParentingInAmerica #AfricanDiaspora #ZambiaToAmerica #DiasporaLife #VillageInDiaspora #CommunityMatters #LweendoPodcast
assortedimmigrantstories@gmail.com
https://www.instagram.com/assortedimmigrantstoriespod?igsh=djdoZXprY2VnMDQx&utm_source=qr