The More Sibyl Podcast Presents: 정체성을 되찾기 위한 여정| The One with William- From Manning to Edoziem: An African-American Man’s Journey to Redeeming Identity and Homecoming to the Igbo Nation: Episode 9 (2023)
This week's podcast episode featured William Edoziem and his wife, Hailey, who came over to share their story. William was born and raised in Indianapolis, IN, and studied African and African-American studies at Indiana State University. He describes himself as a son of God, a follower of Jesus, a poet, a human rights activist, an occasional dancer, and a music junkie. He is passionate about empowering BIPOC and other marginalized communities by ensuring their voices are heard. As a fellow Nigerian, I was particularly interested in his journey of discovering his roots.
During our conversation, we talked about what it was like for William growing up, how he felt when he discovered his Igbo heritage, and what it's like tracing his roots. We also discussed his decision to change his last name, which he had wanted to do since high school. It was fascinating to hear about Hailey's perspective on the journey and how she has supported him along the way.
As William is a vocal Christian, we also touched on his faith and how it intersects with his identity. We ended the episode with a naming ceremony, making it unique. William changed his surname from Manning to Edoziem, Hailey received an Igbo name, and so did their son. Overall, it was a wonderful conversation that explored culture, identity, and faith.
Connect with William: IG: @iamwilledoziem; Facebook: William Edoziem