High-Level Summary
In this compelling episode of Rise Urban Nation, host Taryell Simmons and guest Niiamah Ashong explore the profound journey of self-discovery, cultural reclamation, and leadership. They unpack why genuine inclusion requires celebrating our differences rather than seeking uniformity, and how visionary leaders can transition from transactional collaboration to transformative co-creation. Through candid stories of personal growth and professional reinvention, the conversation provides a roadmap for stepping into authenticity and unlocking collective potential.
Key Takeaways
True Inclusion Celebrates Difference: Real belonging is achieved not by forcing uniformity or hunting for commonalities, but by intentionally seeing, celebrating, and valuing distinct differences.
Co-Creation Surpasses Collaboration: While collaboration merely divides existing work, co-creation multiplies creative potential by uniting unique strengths to generate something entirely new.
Reclaiming Authentic Identity: Success requires shedding self-protective masks and showing up fully as your authentic self rather than performing comfort for others.
Action Precedes Mastery: The most effective path to professional reinvention is experiential execution—if you want to be something, start doing it today.
Detailed Outline & Topic Breakdown
The Power and Origin of Names: Niiamah explains the cultural and generational lineage behind his Ghanaian name—Niiamah Kweku Ashong—and describes the significance of reclaiming it after going by the nickname Nemo for two decades. Taryell connects this to his own Nigerian name, Adekunle, illustrating how names anchor cultural identity and personal destiny.
Moving Beyond the Mask of Visibility: Niiamah shares his early experiences as a class clown and wearing loud clothing to stand out, only to realize that external gimmicks concealed his true identity. He discusses the liberation of no longer shrinking himself or moderating his presence to make others comfortable.
Collaboration Versus Co-Creation: The discussion highlights the crucial distinction between collaboration (dividing a set amount of work) and co-creation (discovering what novel value can emerge from combined perspectives). Niiamah emphasizes walking into every room knowing you are already enough.
Redefining True Inclusion and the Gumbo Metaphor: Challenging conventional DEI narratives, Niiamah introduces his unconventional truth: true inclusion honors diversity of perspective and skill. Taryell and Niiamah use the metaphor of a rich gumbo, noting that every spice and ingredient must retain its unique flavor for the dish to succeed.
Career Evolution and Experiential Leadership: Niiamah recounts his journey from corporate retirement actuarial consulting to corporate learning and development, and ultimately to founding an experiential learning firm. He shares practical insights on building a lifestyle business, launching the Outliers Edge podcast, and creating the Trailblazer Oasis for unconventional leaders.
Memorable Quotes
Niiamah Ashong: "Most people believe the way to be inclusive is to find all the things we have in common, but the true way to be inclusive is to celebrate and value the things that make us different."
Niiamah Ashong: "If you want to be, do. If you want to be a podcaster, make a podcast. Go get the experience."
Taryell Simmons: "The Platinum Rule in my book is treat others the way they want to be treated, recognizing them for the unique qualities, gifts, and talents that they bring to the world."
Resources, Tools, & Recommendations Mentioned
Books & Audio: Audible audiobooks consumed at accelerated speeds.
Films: Everything Everywhere All at Once directed by the Daniels (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert).
Podcasts & Platforms: Rise Urban Nation podcast (hosted by Taryell Simmons) and Outliers Edge podcast (hosted by Niiamah Ashong).
Organizations & Companies: AppNexus (advertising technology company) and Positive Impact Movement.
Websites & Programs: Trailblazer Oasis leadership program and guest resources available at https://niiamah.com/rise.
