Blog Archives

128 DJ Onax Andrew Ogweta

1/29/2017

Juma Andrew Ogweta is also known as DJ Onax. His family is from South Sudan. He grew up in Khartoum, Sudan and Cairo, Egypt before coming to Portland, ME with his uncle and two sisters when he was eleven years old. He attended Portland Schools as he cultivated his love of music and entertainment. He was the DJ for family and community parties before going more public. He derives great joy from providing dance music for others to enjoy and has worked as a DJ throughout Maine as well as in AZ, GA, TN and TX.
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Soundcloud sampler
Booking an event: [email protected]

Music: VIP "Eris Allela"

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127 Toni Bazia and Ann B. Smith

1/22/2017

Toni Bazia (originally from Wau, South Sudan) has been a guest three times before on New Mainers Speak. (NMS 28, 41, 77). He is joined by his writing/organizing collaborator friend and retired English teacher, Ann B. Smith. She is the host of a cable TV program on CTN5 called Perspectives, a show that explores cultural perspectives of immigrants in Portland.
Together, Bazia and Ann are passionate about helping young people and creating culturally relevant English learning materials. The duo has written several books together, the most recent of which is called Hippo and Hoopoe.
Both Ann and Bazia are interested in South Sudanese children, as well as other young immigrants in the area. Some of their work is visible at their organizational website called Project Bazia. They are mentors for a club at Portland High School called Bright Future, and have recently helped the students to produce a movie about wearing hijabs.
Their next big endeavor is called Africans United of New England, building community locally among people of the African diaspora.

Music: Bob Marley sings "Africa Unite."

nms_127_toni_bazia_and_ann_b_smith_s.sudan_jan_22_2017.mp3
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126 Georges Budagu

1/15/2017

Georges Budagu is originally from the Southern Kivu Province of Democratic Republic of Congo. He is a Senior Property Manager, a community organizer, husband and father.
Georges was previously interviewed for New Mainers Speak on October 5, 2014 about his memoir called Ladder to the Moon. He came back in May of 2015 to talk about "culture shock" among immigrants. Today he addressed the resources available to immigrants in Maine. Georges underscores the value of immigrants learning English and explained, "Language is the key to understanding and understanding is the key to life." He also speaks to the feelings of fear running throughout the immigrant community since the election of Donald Trump. He shares insights and some helpful resources (hot linked below):
Avesta Housing
Portland Housing Authority
South Portland Housing Authority
Westbrook Housing Authority
Catholic Charities of Maine
ACLU Maine

Music: "Do Something" by Matthew West

nms_126_georges_budagu_drc_january_15_2017.mp3
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125 Connie Zhu

1/8/2017

In 1988 Connie came to Portland, ME from Shanghai, China to study economics at USM. She additionally studied journalism in NYC and got her Masters of Fine Arts in writing at the University of Oregon. After moving back to Maine, she has taught Chinese at Colby College and Waynflete School and currently works as a freelance translator and interpreter, helping Maine businesses develop trade relationships with markets in China.
Connie is also a DJ at WMPG. Ba Yin Box is her Chinese music program which is aired on Mondays from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM on WMPG (90.9 FM or www.wmpg.org). This outlet has offered her a creative way to express herself and continue her outreach to the community.
Connie invites all interested listeners to the annual Chinese New Year celebration to be held at Westbrook Middle School on Saturday, Feb. 4th, 2017 from 10 AM-3 PM. The event is hosted by the Chinese and American Friendship Association of Maine.
Music: "Blue and White Porcelain" by Jay Chou

nms_125_connie_zhu_china_jan_8_2017.mp3
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128 DJ Onax Andrew Ogweta

127 Toni Bazia and Ann B. Smith

126 Georges Budagu

125 Connie Zhu

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