What happens when the pressure to succeed collides with the weight of cultural expectations? In this robust conversation, I sat down with Mouhamadou B. Diagne, a Harvard-trained Muslim chaplain and scholar who, as a child immigrant, transitioned from not speaking English to becoming a leading voice for mental health advocacy in African immigrant communities.

Bio:

Mouhamadou Diagne immigrated to the US from Senegal as a child. Despite not initially speaking a word of English, he became fluent after only two months and distinguished himself as a high-high-achieving, engaged student. He would win the prestigious Posse Foundation Full-Tuition Leadership scholarship to study psychology and educational studies at Carleton College. While there, his work in the Chaplain’s Office led him to pursue a calling in College Chaplaincy. His first stop was pursuing a Master of Divinity at Harvard Divinity School, with a concentration in Islam and African Religions. He wrote a thesis detailing a plan for counseling Muslim African Immigrants in the United States. In the decade since graduation, Mouhamadou has held ground-breaking chaplaincy positions at Columbia and Bucknell Universities before transitioning to a career in admissions and DEI, serving as the inaugural Chief Diversity Officer at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine, and currently a Multicultural Outreach and Recruitment specialist at Fitchburg State University in MA. He recently founded his own consulting company, offering Muslim wedding and relationship counseling services.

Summary

In this conversation, Muhamadou Diagni shares his journey as a Muslim chaplain and advocate for mental health within African immigrant communities. He discusses the complexities of navigating dual identities as an African and Black individual in America, the cultural dynamics that shape these experiences, and the mental health challenges faced by African immigrants. Diagni emphasizes the importance of community support, the role of faith in mental health, and the need to break the stigma surrounding mental health issues. He advocates for greater awareness and understanding of mental health within African immigrant households, encouraging individuals to seek help and support.

Takeaways

Muhamadou Diagni emphasizes the importance of community support in navigating dual identities.

He highlights the unique mental health challenges faced by African immigrants, including acculturative stress.

The conversation addresses the cultural dynamics between African and African-American communities.

Diagni discusses the role of faith in mental health and the importance of integrating religious beliefs into counseling.

He advocates for breaking the stigma surrounding mental health in African immigrant communities.

The need for more mental health resources and awareness is stressed throughout the conversation.

Diagni shares personal experiences of navigating identity conflicts and the impact on mental health.

He encourages younger generations to seek help and prioritize mental well-being.

The conversation highlights the importance of understanding cultural differences in mental health treatment.

Diagni calls for greater empathy and solidarity among different cultural groups.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Muhamadou Diagni

02:45 Navigating Dual Identities as an Immigrant

09:52 The African vs. African-American Dynamic

12:11 Cultural Straddling: Balancing African and Black Identities

18:04 Racism Within the Muslim Community

23:28 The Intersection of Culture and Religion

30:03 Choosing Carleton College: A Personal Journey

34:44 Navigating Academic Challenges and Mental Health

40:55 Cultural Stigma and Mental Health in Immigrant Communities

52:02 Acculturative Stress and Mental Health Issues

55:16 Breaking the Stigma of Mental Health

01:00:40 Integrating Faith and Mental Health Support

01:05:46 Empowering the Younger Generation for Mental Health Advocacy