Nikki Bush, Business Speaker’s Post

#AncestorsDay So today Castle Milk Stout celebrates #AncestorsDay for a third time and Channel Africa invited me to come and share some of my knowledge on the subject as someone deeply interested in and entrenched in indigneous knowledges. I think there is a role for corporate South Africa to play in ancestral acknowledgement. This involves tough conversations around exploitative business practices that have been the norm and how these are changed and how the descendents of those who have suffered from this are compensated in their ancestors" stead. I think we don't know just how much of a blessing it is for our people, both present and departed when we win in life. Winning in corporate South Africa also has to have specific avenues for expression of ancestral acknowledgement. It should not be taboo for there to be trees or totems in our offices in the same way that crucifixes and mezusahs are present in certain corporate spaces. We are our ancestors and our ancestors are us. That is a literal truth regardless of faith system.

What a privilege it is to wake up each morning, to take a deep breath and feel the quiet strength that comes with it. In a world that can be so chaotic, I’m reminded how precious it is to simply be alive. As a Nigerian, there’s so much to be thankful for, even amidst the noise and uncertainty. Every challenge has shaped me, tested my resolve, and deepened my understanding of what it means to truly live. I’m grateful for resilience, the kind of resilience you only learn when life throws curveballs, when the system doesn’t always work in your favor, yet you find a way to push through. Nigeria teaches us to rise, again and again, to dig deep and find strength we didn’t know we had. It’s in those moments of struggle that I’ve grown the most. I’m thankful for the people. The way we come together, no matter how hard things get. There’s an unspoken bond we share as Nigerians one that ties us together through hardship and joy. In every corner of this country, there’s laughter, warmth, and a shared sense of hope. I’ve leaned on my friends and family more times than I can count, and each time, they’ve held me up. I feel blessed to have the freedom to dream. To dream big, even when the odds feel overwhelming. Nigeria has taught me that dreams are not a luxury, they are a necessity. It’s in our DNA to chase after the impossible, to turn obstacles into opportunities. My dreams have been shaped by the challenges we face, but also by the limitless potential we carry. But above all, I’m grateful for the spirit of hope that never dies. Even in the hardest of times, there’s an undeniable belief that better days are ahead. This hope fuels everything I do ,it’s what keeps me going when things get tough. Today, I choose gratitude. For the small victories, the big lessons, and the everyday moments that remind me how fortunate I am to be here, now, in this land that’s both tough and beautiful. Being Nigerian isn’t easy, but it’s a privilege I carry with pride. #Gratitude #NigerianSpirit #Resilience #Hope #LinkedInCommunity #LifeInNigeria #Thankful

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY A New Beginning: Embracing Transformation🌴🌴🌴 📌 A new beginning symbolizes a fresh start, marking the transition from the old to the new. This concept can be categorized into two distinct types: old beginnings, which signify renewal, and new beginnings, which represent radical change. 📌 Consider a man who married in 2023, embarking on a new journey. As time passes, the initial excitement wanes, and another significant life event, such as the birth of a child, usurps attention. This illustrates how new beginnings can supersede previous ones, rendering the old obsolete. 📌 Nigeria's Independence Day celebration exemplifies this notion, as it commemorates the nation's emergence into a new phase of life. Every new beginning heralds a novel way of existence. For instance, an individual's circumstances can transform dramatically, elevating their quality of life. 📌 A new beginning effaces the past, prioritizing the present and future. When one experiences a transformative new beginning, past pains and struggles become testimonies of resilience. The biblical account of Hannah, who transitioned from barrenness to motherhood, exemplifies this. 📌 In 2 Kings 7:1-End, the prophet Elisha declared a new beginning amidst Samaria's dire famine. Though incredulous at the time, God's intervention accelerated change, demonstrating His power to revolutionize circumstances. 📌Your situation, though challenging, is not insurmountable. Believe in God's capacity to usher in a new beginning, ending your tears, sorrow, and suffering. Remember, a life without Jesus cannot experience genuine transformation. 🌴As we welcome a new month, I wish you a happy new beginning. #NewBeginnings #God's breed. #HgA pen #happyindependenceday2024 #HappyNewMonth

 Get Involved in Mission: Be Part of God's Global Plan! Ever wondered how YOU can be part of fulfilling the Great Commission? Jesus calls us all to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19), and you don’t have to travel far to make an impact! Whether it's in your local community or across the globe, there are countless ways to get involved in mission work. Here’s how you can start: Pray  — Lift up missionaries and the people they serve. Prayer is a powerful way to support the mission.  Give  — Financially support mission projects or sponsor a missionary. Your generosity helps spread the Gospel and build communities.  Serve  — Volunteer in local outreach efforts, or join short-term or long-term mission trips. Whether you're sharing the Gospel, teaching, or offering practical help, your service matters!  Learn  — Equip yourself with knowledge about global missions. Read, attend mission conferences, or connect with organizations that are working to spread the Gospel. No matter your skills or resources, there’s a place for you in God's mission. Will you answer the call?

You and I are privileged. We are privileged to have a roof over our heads. Privileged to have our families with us in good health. Privileged to have food to eat and clean water to drink. Privileged to access medical care when we need it. Privileged to learn, grow, and chase our dreams. Privileged to live without the fear of being wiped out from this earth at any moment. Not everyone has these privileges we often take for granted. For many, safety, food, and education have been made distant dreams. Countless people struggle daily to meet even their basic needs. Gratitude is vital, but it's just the beginning. True impact comes when we transform gratitude into action. Use your privilege to amplify voices that go unheard. Stand against injustice and advocate for fairness. Foster empathy in spaces where it's desperately needed. Every small effort chips away at inequality and builds hope. The world needs more compassion, understanding, and deliberate action. It starts with us, right here, right now. So, ask yourself: - How can I use my privilege to make a difference? - Who can I support, empower, or stand up for today? Turn gratitude into purpose and privilege into positive change. Start today. Speak up, reach out, and inspire others to act. Together, we can build a society that uplifts everyone, not just a few. P.S. I feel ashamed to live a life full of privilege when I get real-time updates from my friends in Palestine & Lebanon. I feel ashamed when they tell me a 🚀 landed in a tent next to them. I feel ashamed when they tell me they don't know if they will make it to the next day. And more than that I feel helpless because I can't stop their suffering. The least I can do is share their reality and amplify their voices. Feeling their pain isn’t enough, turn your empathies into action. Do It Now!!!

"𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴; 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆’𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴—𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁, 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁." This quote reflects a truth I’ve come to know deeply over the past decade. For me, missions have always been more than just boarding a plane and stepping onto new soil; they’re about transformation—both of the people we serve and of ourselves. When I first felt called to missions, I imagined it was about bringing something to others—resources, knowledge, faith. But over time, I realized that it’s just as much about becoming something myself. In Brazil, I didn’t just build an English Language School; I became a bridge-builder. It was there, amidst students seeking new opportunities, that I saw how education could become a doorway to hope, and how my role was to facilitate that, with God’s guidance. Pakistan showed me a different side of transformation. The communities we served there were strong, their faith unwavering despite hardships. I wasn’t just there to share the Gospel; I became a witness to their resilience and an encourager, walking alongside them. It’s in these moments—when you stand with people, not above them—that you truly become the hands and feet of Christ. You see the world through their eyes and let their stories shape your own #faithjourney. Missions, at their heart, are about becoming something greater through service—allowing God to shape you while you seek to make an impact. Every life touched is a testament to the #poweroffaith and the beauty of connection. If you’re a #churchleader or part of a #faith community looking to explore the deeper meaning of #missions, I’d love to connect. Let’s walk this journey together, sharing stories and building hope where it’s needed most. 📩 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀.

15 Years of Transforming Lives: A Journey of Giving and Change Fifteen years ago, Ta’alof AlKhair began with a simple yet profound belief: small acts of kindness have the power to spark lasting change. Since then, this vision has evolved into a mission that has reached millions, bringing hope and resilience to communities worldwide. Over the years, crises have tested the boundaries of compassion, yet steadfast dedication has turned challenges into opportunities for impact. From delivering lifesaving aid in Gaza and Syria to empowering recovery efforts in Somalia and Morocco, the focus has remained on making a tangible difference where it is needed most. What makes this milestone truly special isn’t just the numbers—17 million lives touched, 28 countries reached—but the stories of resilience, courage, and transformation behind them. These are stories of individuals and communities who, with a helping hand, found the strength to rebuild and thrive. Lessons from 15 years of impact: 1. Crisis reveals the depth of humanity: Moments of devastation highlight the profound strength in collective compassion. 2. Empowerment fuels sustainable change: Lasting impact comes from equipping communities to grow and flourish independently. 3. Kindness transcends all boundaries: The universal language of giving connects people across nations and cultures. This anniversary serves as a reminder of the immense potential that exists when compassion meets action. The road ahead holds challenges, but it also carries the promise of greater opportunities to build a world shaped by empathy and shared purpose. To every supporter, partner, and employee: Thank you for your belief in this mission and for proving that meaningful change and a brighter future for all is possible when humanity stands together.

A Glass (Bucket?)of Water Every time I walk to my kitchen and fill my glass with clean, drinkable water, I am reminded of a profound privilege that many of us often take for granted. Recently, I participated in an event organized by the Journalists and Writers Foundation (JWF) in collaboration with Religions for Peace International and Erasmus Plus during the 79th UNGA in New York City to underline and empower the link between 17 SDG’s and interfaith collaboration. This event highlighted an interfaith project dedicated to digging wells in various parts of Africa, where children must walk miles under the scorching sun to fetch a bucket of drinkable water. This initiative emphasises a powerful commitment from diverse religious communities to address and overcome social injustices globally. The efforts to provide accessible drinking water transcend the traditional notion of charity. They are rooted in a deeper understanding that our world is a shared home for all of humanity, where national borders should not limit our compassion and responsibility. Access to clean water is a basic human right, yet millions around the world struggle daily to secure it. The interfaith collaboration I learned about serves as a beacon of hope and a call to action. It is a reminder that, regardless of our religious or cultural backgrounds, we can unite to create a world where everyone has access to life's most essential resources. As I fill my glass, I am filled with gratitude and a renewed sense of purpose. I am inspired by the tireless efforts of those committed to making a difference and am reminded of the power of unity and compassion. This simple act of filling a glass becomes a moment of reflection on how interconnected we all are and how our privileges can become avenues for positive change. Let us all take a moment to appreciate the clean water we so easily access and remember those who are not as fortunate. Let us be inspired by the interfaith commitment to overcome social injustices and work towards a world where everyone, everywhere, can enjoy the basic dignity of clean drinking water. #UNGA #Interfaith #Dialogue #Water #Socialjustice

Jerron’s story is one about gratitude and resilience. Where the fear of the unknown had become overwhelming, He went on to press through and develop resilience along the way, through newfound perspectives. Developing habits, recognising blindspots and cultivating gratitude are the hallmarks of change within Jerron’s life. This journey that Jerron is not about the destination but with having the right mindset, perspectives and the hope for a better future. A pursuit to doing something today that your future-self would thank you for! What you will from Jerron in Impactful New Youth: ⛅ Self-awareness: Being aware of the little things that one might’ve overlooked. 🙏 Gratefulness: Being grateful for the things that was given and appreciate it as they may not remain forever. 📍Mindset: The willingness to set one’s feelings aside & to do the hard work even when you don't feel like it. 📆 Are you ready to be inspired by Jerron? Mark your calendars for 28th June for the Impactful New Youth! ✨ Register here! 📌 https://lnkd.in/gsqSQ_qx #ImpactfulNewYouth #NewYouCafe #NYCafe