The Black Experience on Campus
Ta-Nehisi Coates speaks with UBC Law Professor Sara Ghebremusse during the discussion period of his keynote event at the Lind Initiative this year. (SPPGA)
In midst of Black History Month and Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Phil Lind Initiative event at UBC, Josh sits down with MPPGA students Esther Ocheni and Edwin Edou to discuss the Black experience on campus. The two guests compare their time spent on three continents and give UBC recommendations on how to give Black students the best campus experience.
Joshua Diemert is a first year MPPGA student at UBC. His primary policy interests focus around tech policy, data ownership and cybersecurity. Prior to the MPPGA program he worked in commercial finance and venture capital in Waterloo, Ontario, with specialities in tech firms, real estate and lean manufacturing.
Edwin Edou is a first year MPPGA student at UBC. After growing up internationally, Edwin came to Canada and earned a BA in Environmental Studies and a Certificate in Sustainability at the University of Alberta. He then co-authored a paper on energy development in Alberta and was involved in several projects related to the environment. After completing the program, Edwin plans to develop policy instruments to bring about sustainable development and develop circular economies.
Esther Ocheni is a first year MPPGA student at UBC. Prior to the MPPGA program, Esther earned a BA in International Studies from American University in Washington, DC. Afterwards, Esther worked at the Develoment Bank of Nigeria where she researched MSME financing constraints, identifying under-served sector potentials and quantifying impact post-funding. At the program, she seeks to deepen her understanding of policy-making processes and the interconnections between its complex challenges.
The intro bumper is "Vry Blk" by Jamila Woods feat. Noname. The outro bumper is "Alright" by Kendrick Lamar.
The Phil Lind Initiative is an annual speaker series led by the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs at the University of British Columbia. Funded by Rogers Vice-Chair Philip Lind, the series focuses on a new policy theme each year, and invites academics and professionals across interdisciplinary fields. To find out more, visit the official website.