The Newcomers
The Newcomers Podcast 🎙️
E67: Onyeka Okonkwo on cultural differences at work, black tax, and settling into London
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E67: Onyeka Okonkwo on cultural differences at work, black tax, and settling into London

"Approach each day with grace and compassion"

Hello, and welcome back to The Newcomers - where we explore what it means to be an immigrant.

P.S. I'd really like to grow this email list. If you enjoy this newsletter, it would mean the world to Jola and I if you encouraged one friend/fellow immigrant/colleague to subscribe…Very likely, the the only thing you will get in return is warm fuzzy feelings, and if I can attribute it to you, I’d personally send you a thank you email.

Join us as we explore the bitter-sweet world of the immigrant.


As an immigrant, it's easy to feel the need to show up and represent your home country's brand. To be great. To be of good behaviour. To show that your people are worth it.

Especially now. Especially with all that's going on in the world at this time. When immigrants have become the next best thing to blame for all that's wrong with society.

It can be tiring.

So, I think we should take Onyeka Okonkwo’s advice…learn to give ourselves some grace. Give yourself permission to fail. To try again. To make mistakes. To live. To love. To enjoy everyday.

Onyeka joined me on The Newcomers to chat about why she left Nigeria. We also talked about:

  • Working in Lagos vs. working in London

  • Finding her footing in her new home

  • Her approach to dealing with all the stuff immigrating to a new country throws at you

  • The burden of black tax

  • Learning to advocate for herself, and more.

Again, give yourself some grace, dear immigrant. You’ve got this.


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