I recently came across an article Luc Olinga wrote published on Medium titled I Am Black Man. DEI Is The New Racism. Race relation in America is a sensitive topic many people do not like to engage in because they are afraid of saying the wrong thing. During our conversation, we explored many areas on this topic.Bio:Luc Olinga is a French journalist based in New York City. He worked for the French newswire Agence France-Presse (AFP), the world’s third-largest, for 15 years in Europe and the U.S. From 2014 to 2021, he served as AFP’s U.S. Business Correspondent in New York before becoming the Economics, Business, and Tech Editor for North America, based in Washington, D.C.After leaving AFP, he led tech coverage at the U.S. business news platform TheStreet. He is currently documenting the Men’s Counter-Revolution in the U.S., traveling across the country to explore the perspectives of Black men on the nation’s shifting social and political landscape. You can read his work on Medium.Born and raised in Cameroon, he later moved to Paris, France, where he spent most of his adult life.KeywordsDEI, African immigrants, cultural identity, educationinequality, race relations, storytelling, community engagement, meritocracy, personal growth, immigrant experience Summary In this conversation, Mr. Luc Olinga shares his experiencesas an African immigrant navigating cultural identity, race relations, and the complexities of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in America. He reflects on his upbringing in Cameroon, his educational journey in France, and his transition to the United States, discussing the challenges and opportunities he faced. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of community engagement, educational equality, and the need for higher expectations within the Africanimmigrant community. Olinga critiques the current DEI initiatives, arguing that they often fail to address the root causes of inequality and can sometimes perpetuate new forms of racism. The conversation concludes with a call toaction for African immigrants to take charge of their narratives and work towards empowering their communities. Takeaways DEI initiatives can sometimes perpetuate new forms of racism.Cultural identity plays a significant role in personal development.Expectations from parents and community influence children's success.Educational inequality is a root cause of broader societal issues.Community engagement is crucial for empowering African immigrants.The immigrant experience is shaped by both cultural heritage and new environments.Meritocracy must be balanced with awareness of systemic inequalities.Personal resilience is key in navigating challenges in foreign countries.The importance of storytelling in understanding cultural experiences.African immigrants often face unique challenges in the U.S. job market. Chapters 00:53 Exploring African Immigrant Experiences in America01:20 Introduction to Olinga's Journey04:27 Childhood Memories and Cultural Reflections07:10 Navigating Education in France09:59 Experiences of Race and Identity in France13:10 Transition to the United States15:53 The Impact of African Roots on Identity18:57 Opportunities and Challenges in America21:23 Understanding DEI: A New Perspective24:44 Corruption vs. DEI: A Comparative Analysis27:33 The Misconceptions of DEI30:16 The Role of Education in Addressing Inequality33:29 The Future of DEI and Its Implications36:14 Conclusion and Final Thoughts48:16 Inequality in Education: A Root Cause51:26 The Role of Affirmative Action54:12 Challenges in the Educational System57:21 Community Engagement and Mentorship01:00:31 Breaking the Cycle of Victimhood01:02:54 Cultural Perspectives on Success01:05:58 Expectations and Community Responsibility01:09:44 The African Immigrant Experience01:15:11 Meritocracy vs. DEI: A Complex Debate

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