Ways I Keep Connected With my Culture!

 What's up everyone!? How are you my friends? I'm doing alright - it's Monday - and it's a holiday weekend here in the US so I have no complaints! I'm laying low and chillin so I'm a happy camper.

Wanted to answer a question I always get asked in interviews. People always want to know how I stay connected to my Zimbabwean culture even though I have lived in the US for over 25 years now. . I know. Where does the time go? Anywho...here's how I stay connected:

1. Social Media - I follow prominent people back home and try to stay on pulse of what's going on. Twitter is my favorite medium for quick breaking news. Instagram is great for all the fashionistas killin it back home and finally Facebook is great for viral videos.

2. Read local newspapers - I read international news but I like to hone in on what's going on back home. Whether it's gossip on local celebs, breaking political news or updates on the pandemic - I always make time to read every single day.

3. Listen to the radio - It's so easy to just Google your favorite radio station back home and listen to their morning or drive time show. I love it when they have people call in to the radio station cause you really get a sense of what's going on. Also this is how I find out about new music and new artists. 

4. Talk to my friends - It's important to read right? But really talking to people on the ground will give you all the tea you need. During the pandemic my friends and I have these amazing unfiltered and super candid conversations via Zoom and I always learn so much. I love LOVE talking to my smart friends.

5. Let's hop on a flight - Nothing beats being at home. Landing in Joburg en route to Zimbabwe is one of the best feelings in the world. Unfortunately because of the pandemic it probably wont happen this year but this is a key component in staying connected. I love being able to visit friends and family just spending quality time. Whether it's going out to eat, shopping at the mall or visiting museums - being at home is my favorite place to be.

It's so easy to get disconnected once you live in the diaspora but it's also very easy to reconnect if that happens. I love being able to exist in both worlds (my American and African side) and I wouldn't change it for the world. 

How do you stay connected?