Interested in starting your own journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Simon Okelo, CEO of One Vibe Media, located in Seattle, WA, USA.
What's your organization, and who are your members?
AFIA Podcast provides alternative media and Afro-centric cultural and ancestral wisdom every Monday to Friday at 6:00 am PST.
Tell us about yourself
I grew up in Kenya and worked in over 6 African countries before moving to Seattle in 2010. I am the CEO of One Vibe Media (OVM) that produces the AFIA Podcast while also serving as a full-service media consultancy and a relative organization of One Vibe Africa (OVA), a nonprofit dedicated to promoting empathy, joy, and a sense of community for the African diaspora. AFIA Podcast has attracted over 5,000 members, has been downloaded more than 120,000 times, and has published over 280 episodes featuring guests of diverse backgrounds.
Examples of guests featured recently include:
- Amir Islam, Executive Director at The Residency - https://youtu.be/-LmDr0sExfE
- Ilays Aden, Program Coordinator, Environmental Engagement at the Port of Seattle - https://youtu.be/hXs3MaAQw4o
- Llynn D. Ruth, Project Manager for Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Food Equity Fund - https://youtu.be/yNpvjv3ghtY
What's your biggest accomplishment as an organization?
African Father In America podcast has become a staple for many people globally, with over 150,000 downloads counting.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being an organization?
Even though we should celebrate the success of the AFIA Podcast, the work needed to sustain the show requires a team and budget to pay them and pay for marketing. We don’t have the right team and budget in place to cement AFIA Podcast where it belongs across the African Diaspora, but that will not stop us, and that is why the Artist Trust Fellowships award will make a difference. Meanwhile, the challenges in our communities can’t stop, and AFIA Podcast is where people talk about things. AFIA Podcast consistently acts as a resource for organizations and leaders most impacted by the pandemic, racism, and economic downturn. However, without adequate staffing and income to develop a strong team and long-term strategy that could enhance the support AFIA Podcast gives to established and emerging organizations as the sole staff person and host, it might overwhelm me despite my resilience.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow an organization today?
- Be patient.
- Stay true to yourself.
- Remember why you started.
Where can people find you and your group?
Website: https://simonjavanokelo.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OkeloJavan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/okelojavan/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/OkeloJavan
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-okelo-15383417/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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