The Long Wave's First Birthday: A Year of Unpacking Global Family Ties
As I sit down to write about The Long Wave's first birthday, it feels surreal that we've already made it one year since our inception. It genuinely feels as though we're just getting started on this incredible journey, tracing the threads that bind us together across cultures and continents.
Launched out of a deep-seated curiosity, our mission has been to explore the intricate tapestry of global family ties. We wanted to understand how our ancestors shared food, culture, habits, music – everything that makes us human – as they traversed the world. And in doing so, we uncovered a sprawling global family that's rich in untold stories.
Our first year has taken us on an incredible journey across Africa and beyond. We've delved into the Black diaspora, exploring how people from different corners of the world are connected through shared experiences, traditions, and histories. One standout conversation stood out – with Elmiene, a Sudanese-British artist who poignantly shared his story of displacement and cultural identity.
We also followed Michelle Obama's transformation from a powerful First Lady to a relatable podcast host, showcasing how her journey mirrors the evolving landscape of feminism and Black Girl Magic. Her vulnerability has humanized her in ways that remind us we're not alone in our struggles – we're part of a larger global family.
In another fascinating episode, Jason Okundaye returned from Barbados with an electric sense of recognition, having danced through the streets as part of Crop Over festival. This experience highlighted how traveling within the Black diaspora can be liberating and life-changing.
We also took a culinary journey across the Caribbean, exploring the rich history behind food in Guyana and other islands. Author Keshia Sakarah's work on Caribe: A Caribbean Cookbook with History demonstrated how cuisine plays such a vital role in preserving memories and anchoring identity.
Last but not least, we celebrated Nigeria's Super Falcons as they lifted their tenth Women's Africa Cup of Nations trophy, showcasing the strength and determination that defines this global family.
This first year has been filled with laughter, tears, and countless lessons. We've discovered how our global family is woven together by threads of history, culture, and resilience. As we move forward into a new year, we're excited to continue exploring these connections – to share more stories, traditions, and experiences that remind us we're all in this together.
To every single one of you who's read, shared, or joined The Long Wave community over the past 12 months, thank you. Your feedback, suggestions, and enthusiasm have meant everything to us, and we can't wait to see what the future holds for our growing diaspora family.
As I sit down to write about The Long Wave's first birthday, it feels surreal that we've already made it one year since our inception. It genuinely feels as though we're just getting started on this incredible journey, tracing the threads that bind us together across cultures and continents.
Launched out of a deep-seated curiosity, our mission has been to explore the intricate tapestry of global family ties. We wanted to understand how our ancestors shared food, culture, habits, music – everything that makes us human – as they traversed the world. And in doing so, we uncovered a sprawling global family that's rich in untold stories.
Our first year has taken us on an incredible journey across Africa and beyond. We've delved into the Black diaspora, exploring how people from different corners of the world are connected through shared experiences, traditions, and histories. One standout conversation stood out – with Elmiene, a Sudanese-British artist who poignantly shared his story of displacement and cultural identity.
We also followed Michelle Obama's transformation from a powerful First Lady to a relatable podcast host, showcasing how her journey mirrors the evolving landscape of feminism and Black Girl Magic. Her vulnerability has humanized her in ways that remind us we're not alone in our struggles – we're part of a larger global family.
In another fascinating episode, Jason Okundaye returned from Barbados with an electric sense of recognition, having danced through the streets as part of Crop Over festival. This experience highlighted how traveling within the Black diaspora can be liberating and life-changing.
We also took a culinary journey across the Caribbean, exploring the rich history behind food in Guyana and other islands. Author Keshia Sakarah's work on Caribe: A Caribbean Cookbook with History demonstrated how cuisine plays such a vital role in preserving memories and anchoring identity.
Last but not least, we celebrated Nigeria's Super Falcons as they lifted their tenth Women's Africa Cup of Nations trophy, showcasing the strength and determination that defines this global family.
This first year has been filled with laughter, tears, and countless lessons. We've discovered how our global family is woven together by threads of history, culture, and resilience. As we move forward into a new year, we're excited to continue exploring these connections – to share more stories, traditions, and experiences that remind us we're all in this together.
To every single one of you who's read, shared, or joined The Long Wave community over the past 12 months, thank you. Your feedback, suggestions, and enthusiasm have meant everything to us, and we can't wait to see what the future holds for our growing diaspora family.
one year old already? feels like just yesterday i was scrolling through their stuff and was all like "cool, another blog about global family ties"... lol, guess they're actually onto something 
I'm still amazed by how much global connection there is between cultures! The Long Wave's first birthday celebration feels so deserved 
. I love how they've brought together people from different parts of the world, like Elmiene and Jason Okundaye, to share their stories 
. It's amazing how food can be a powerful connection too - who knew that Guyanese cuisine had such rich history? 
The podcast episodes are so inspiring, especially Michelle Obama's, it's incredible how she's found a new way to connect with people without losing her authentic voice 
. And the Super Falcons' win was such an uplifting moment - the power of sports can bring nations together like nothing else 
ਾਈਜ਼
. Can't wait to dive into more episodes and learn from the people who've shared their experiences 
. i love how they're diving into history, culture & food - like, who knew the Black diaspora had such a rich culinary history? 
. michelle obama's transformation from First Lady to podcast host is EVERYTHING - she's proof that we can be vulnerable & still slay 
. and jason okundaye's Crop Over experience was LIFE.CHANGING 
. i'm so here for more stories, traditions, and experiences that celebrate our global family - let's keep the love & connections going 
#TheLongWave #GlobalFamilyTies #BlackDiasporaLove
It's crazy how much depth there is in global family ties - I mean, I just learned about Crop Over festival from someone and it was like, wow, I had no idea that existed! 
. And can we talk about Jason Okundaye's Crop Over experience? 
That sounds like an electric journey! 
I'm also hyped about the Super Falcons' win - Nigeria's football spirit is always on point 
. What really gets me, though, is how The Long Wave has humanized Michelle Obama's story... she's not just a First Lady, she's a woman navigating life and feminism in all its complexities 
! 
️. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's cool that people are connecting over shared experiences and all that, but is it really as deep as everyone makes it out to be? 
. And what about the ones who don't fit into these neatly defined categories? The ones who are struggling to make ends meet, or dealing with systemic inequality? 
I'm not saying it's not great that people are sharing their stories and stuff, but let's be real, we've got a long way to go before we're all held hands across the globe 
It's amazing how Michelle Obama's podcast journey has humanized her so much, reminding us that even powerful people have vulnerabilities too.
It's all about context, right?
like Elmiene's story tho, that's so inspiring 
and Michelle Obama's podcast? i'm all about that #GirlBoss energy 
and Keshia Sakarah's cookbook? food for thought (pun intended) and congrats to the Super Falcons! 
i feel like this Long Wave community is gonna keep growing in amazing ways 