Episode 11: Independent Spirit, Elhadji Djibril Diagne (Senegal)

Episode 11 features Elhadji Djibril Diagne, known in the community as Djiby. Linguist, communications innovator, and Senegalese community leader from the Bronx, he is head of communications at the Murid Islamic Community in America (MICA) and co-hosts Radio Murid. In this interview he recounts growing up in Dakar, his migration from Senegal, and building visibility and engagement with organizations in West Africa and New York. The interview was conducted during Spring 2021 by Mame Seck, a Barnard junior originally from Senegal.
Forward Ever Podcast
African immigrants have been vital in shaping New York City economically, socially, and civically. Yet their contributions as community leaders and changemakers often go unrecognized. Forward Ever, a new podcast hosted by African Communities Together (ACT), raises their visibility and celebrates, through personal stories and sometimes profound reflections, the experiences and contributions of New York’s diverse immigrant diaspora: women and men from different regions of the Continent creating positive change in every borough.
The first set of episodes introduces listeners to 12 leaders of our community. Interviewees tell of different circumstances that drew them to New York, obstacles they overcame, the warm sense of belonging they gain from supporting other immigrants, especially others from Africa, and their work to organize and move forward their community, holding the United States accountable to the rights of all immigrants despite systemic barriers of inequality and racism.
The “Forward Ever Podcast” is named for the famous words by Ghana’s first president Kwame Nkrumah, “Forward Ever, Backward Never!” This proclamation has not only inspired pan-African movements across the world but is also how we close every membership meeting at African Communities Together. These words remind us that there is always work to be done and that we will always set our sights on the brilliant future before us.
Music is generously provided by master kora player Yacouba Sissoko performing “Fatima” from his 2017 album Siya. The introductory voiceover is provided by Yatta Kiazolu, ACT Staff member and staff.
Support for Forward Ever is generously provided by Barnard College History Professor Abosede George and the students of her Spring 2021 class “African Communities in New York, 1900 to Present,” with thanks as well to Barnard Engages New York: Collaborative Partnerships to Promote Sustainable Change (or beNY for short), a Barnard initiative that combines curriculum with public engagement, funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. To learn more about beNY, visit their website. Dr. George’s course, “African Communities in New York, 1900 to Present,” explores the history of voluntary migrations from Africa to the United States over the 20th and early 21st centuries.
About African Communities Together (ACT)
African Communities Together is an organization of African immigrants fighting for civil rights, opportunity, and a better life for our families here in the U.S. and worldwide.
ACT empowers African immigrants to integrate socially, advance economically, and engage civically.
We connect African immigrants to critical services, help Africans develop as leaders, and organize our communities on the issues that matter.
To learn more about African Communities Together and the many ways you can support our mission, visit our website at www.Africans.us.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @AfricansUs.
Like, Comment, and Share! Forward Ever, Backward Never.