6 MAY 2021 · David speaks with JJ Bola, a published poet and author, on how he went from being a good writer to a published author, as well as his experiences grappling with a multinational identity, his views on social justice and masculinity within the black community and how all of these topics influence him to write. This is the first episode of a 2-part series! JJ Bola is a Congo-borne accomplished poet and author, having released 3 poetry collections (Elevate, Daughter of the Sun, and WORD) and 2 novels (No Place to Call Home, Mask Off) in the last 5 years. His latest novel, The Selfless Act of Breathing (2021), tackling themes such as mental health, police brutality, and the power of love, is out later this year! Connect with JJ Bola: Twitter/Instagram: @JJ_Bola Jjbola.com Show notes: JJ Bola discusses his career progressions as a writer and poet The importance of consistency in writing Structuring hobbies outside a 9-to-5 The influence of environment and identity in writing The levels of identity in first and second-generation immigrant children, and its impacts on personal philosophy and allegiance Impacts of foreign political struggles on identity, and the importance of empathy amidst confusion The hierarchy of the black community in British society Social justice and how it affects communities The sexualisation of successful black men, and how it affects masculinity Reclamation of identity and humanity (reclaiming the N-word, buying back land) Archetype personalities and black masculine stereotypes Impacts of materialism and capitalism on black stereotypes About David: David Elikwu FRSA is a serial-entrepreneur, operator and strategist who traded corporate law for tech. He now helps startups to scale. David previously founded Baba’s Flight Club, and is currently building Democratic Republic, a sustainable coffee and wine company. David writes weekly about learning more and living better in The Knowledge newsletter, and speaks regularly on The Knowledge podcast, Travel n Turn up podcast, and The Knowledge: Office Hours. Twitter: @Delikwu / @DemRepWorld Website: davidelikwu.com, demrepcoffee.com Newsletter: theknowledge.substack.com Podcast: gopod.me/theknowledge, travelandturnup.com The Knowledge: Welcome to The Knowledge, hosted by David Elikwu. David is on a journey of learning more and living better and sharing everything he discovers along the way. As a writer, tinkerer, and serial entrepreneur, David unpacks wisdom from elite performers and everyday people, highlighting everything you need to know to navigate the world around you. Newsletter: theknowledge.substack.com Podcast: gopod.me/theknowledge

29 APR 2021 · The pandemic has unearthed uncomfortable conversations on privilege and its impact on different social groups in uncertain times. However, the experience of privilege isn’t always a negative, but something which we should recognise and have more honest conversations about going forward. // You'll find the show notes/newsletter edition of this episode here: http://bit.ly/tkissue26 Introduction: the future of learning, the privilege paradox [0:15] Thoughts on how the pandemic disrupts theoretical discussion (Case Studies: Universal Basic Income) [2:02] Case Study: Remote Working [3:55] Case Study: Remote Learning [5:10] The drawbacks of remote learning [7:00] Dispensing of grading and traditional assessments [10:55] The racial biases within the predicted grading system and the disadvantages to black students [12:03] The Birth Lottery: Fortune, Friction, Hope and Luck [15:23] Meritocracy has its merits [16:50] The lack of representation in privilege [18:40] The privilege of living in the modern age, and digital access [20:05] Natural Friction and Manufactured Friction [21:58] How benefit of the doubt is a misallocated resource [24:02] Varying degrees of friction and culture [25:00] The real issue with denying privilege exists [27:00] // If you liked this episode, check out my thought-provoking newsletter full of dry humour and useful resources at: www.theknowledge.substack.com. // Keep the conversation going on Twitter at @Delikwu using the hashtag #TheKnowledge

15 APR 2021 · David speaks with Joycelyn Mate, the co-founder of Afrocenchix. They talked about Joycelyn’s journey building an afro haircare brand, scaling it, and the challenges they faced fundraising as Black women founders. Joycelyn Mate is one of the amazing brains behind Afrocenchix, an overnight success ten year in the making. The unintentional business she started with her friend Rachael while at university became the first afro haircare brand to be stocked at Whole Foods UK, and the pair have already raised over half a million pounds in venture funding, including backing by WeWork/SoftBank. Connect with Joycelyn: Twitter: @joymatespeaks @Afrocenchix www.afrocenchix.com Show notes - [Topics + timestamps] Early days of Afrocenchix [1:29] How Afrocenchix came about [4:17] Initial response to Afrocenchix [6:42] The journey to find product market fit [9:15] How the market reacted to Afrocenchix [11:58] How Afrocenchix formulated customer trust [16:12] Afrocenchix’s fundraising experiences [18:18] [20:46] What black and female founders actually need and bias in funding [21:49] Why capital is key [28:21] Trials and tribulations of creating a team [31:01] How you can use personality tests and types to foster greater teamwork [33:45] Joycelyn’s business role models [39:17] Joycelyn’s advice for business and life - the art of mastery [42:24] The iceberg analogy [46:50] Joycelyn’s advice for founders, VCs, and investors [48:30] About David: David Elikwu FRSA is a serial-entrepreneur, operator and strategist who traded corporate law for tech. He now helps startups to scale. David previously founded Baba’s Flight Club, and is currently building Democratic Republic, a sustainable coffee and wine company. David writes weekly about learning more and living better in The Knowledge newsletter, and speaks regularly on The Knowledge podcast, Travel n Turn up podcast, and The Knowledge: Office Hours. Twitter: @LegendofBaba / @DemRepWorld Website: davidelikwu.com, demrepcoffee.com Newsletter: theknowledge.substack.com Podcast: gopod.me/theknowledge, travelandturnup.com The Knowledge: Welcome to The Knowledge, hosted by David Elikwu. David is on a journey of learning more and living better, and sharing everything he discovers along the way. As a writer, tinkerer, and serial entrepreneur, David unpacks wisdom from elite performers and everyday people, highlighting everything you need to know to navigate the world around you. Newsletter: theknowledge.substack.com Podcast: gopod.me/theknowledge

29 JAN 2021 · The perfect, constant work/life balance probably doesn’t exist, but there are great frameworks you can use to find greater fulfilment in all areas of your life. // You'll find the show notes / newsletter edition of this episode here. // If you liked this episode, check out my thought-provoking newsletter full of dry humour and useful resources at: www.theknowledge.substack.com. // Keep the conversation going on Twitter at @Legendofbaba using the hashtag #TheKnowledge

21 JAN 2021 · We can all agree that 2020 was awful, but I learnt a few things worth sharing and am making a lot of changes to how I approach life. // You'll find the show notes / newsletter edition of this episode here. // If you liked this episode, check out my thought-provoking newsletter full of dry humour and useful resources at: www.theknowledge.substack.com. // Keep the conversation going on Twitter at @Legendofbaba using the hashtag #TheKnowledge

9 JUL 2020 · This week I'm joined by actress Merryl Ansah. She's sharing her journey as an actor from her first roles to playing Nala in The Lion King on the West End. // If you liked this episode, check out my thought-provoking newsletter full of dry humour and useful resources at: www.theknowledge.substack.com. // Keep the conversation going on Twitter at @Legendofbaba using the hashtag #TheKnowledge // You can find Merryl on social media at: @merrylansah.

11 JUN 2020 · This week I'm joined by baker and food stylist Benjamina Ebuehi. She's sharing everything she's been up to since making the quarter-finals of the Great British Bake-Off, including her amazing new cookbook: The New Way to Cake. // If you liked this episode, check out my thought-provoking newsletter full of dry humour and useful resources at: www.theknowledge.substack.com. // Keep the conversation going on Twitter at @Legendofbaba using the hashtag #TheKnowledge // You can find Benjamina on social media at: @bakedbybenji and @thesistertable.

5 JUN 2020 · This week I'm joined by environmental consultant Christiana Illiya, who is the founder of Hibby's drinks. She shared some of the lessons she's learnt building the brand, as well as the challenges she's facing now, dealing with the global pandemic. // If you liked this episode, check out my thought-provoking newsletter full of dry humour and useful resources at: www.theknowledge.substack.com. // Keep the conversation going on Twitter at @Legendofbaba using the hashtag #TheKnowledge // You can find Christiana on social media at: @hibbysdrinks_.

21 MAY 2020 · This week I'm joined by BBC journalist Hannah Ajala who's spent the last few months travelling throughout Africa, sharing the stories of people from around the diaspora who have moved back to live and work. She shared some of the lessons and stories she's gathered from her travels, as well as her experience now, dealing with a global pandemic while in Nigeria. // If you liked this episode, check out my thought-provoking newsletter full of dry humour and useful resources at: www.theknowledge.substack.com. // Keep the conversation going on Twitter at @Legendofbaba using the hashtag #TheKnowledge // You can find Hannah on social media at: @hannah_ajala.

14 MAY 2020 · This week I was joined by campaigner and activist Seyi Akiwowo. She is the founder and director of Glitch, a non-profit campaigning to end online abuse. We talked about the importance of therapy and community leadership, Seyi's political journey as Newham's youngest counsellor, and the responsibility of Big Tech in dealing with online abuse. This was such an important conversation to have, especially now that most of our lives have been migrated online. If you find our conversation useful please do share it with a friend! Glitch is running online workshops on digital self-care and you can sign up at: fixtheglitch.org. // If you liked this episode, check out my thought-provoking newsletter full of dry humour and useful resources at: www.theknowledge.substack.com. // Keep the conversation going on Twitter at @Legendofbaba using the hashtag #TheKnowledge // You can find Seyi on social media at: @seyiakiwowo.