Cuba is popularly known for its classic cars, sandwiches, cigars, and rum, but the country also has an impressive history in the fields of medicine, wellness, and agriculture. Managing Director and Founder of Diaspora, Kasara Davidson, discussed how Cuban ideas of health and wellness influence diet and activity on the island in her interview with the podcast, Tha Compound Movement. Founded by Shanelle Gabriel, a Brooklyn-born personal trainer, poet and singer and A.D. Skolar, a Haitian-American personal training manager, comedian, and emcee, the podcast explores multiple health & lifestyle topics to empower others to maximize their quality of life and prevent illnesses.

Kasara also discussed the importance of traveling throughout the African Diaspora.

“And the truth is the beginning of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade was not in the United States. It was Cuba, it was Hispaniola. These places. There’s a renaissance almost, this travel renaissance for Brown folks. And people are traveling to all of these places here [the Americas] and not going across the pond…which isn’t a problem. Let’s go to Africa. Let’s go to Asia. Let’s go to Europe, but…” The Compound Movement host, Shanelle finishes her sentence, “But we have Black people that have communities and cultures here that are rich, that are beautiful, that are our people that we can support.”

We agree!

To listen to the full interview titled “When Cuba, Culture, and Wellness Collide”, click here.

To learn about our upcoming Fitness & Wellness Program - 2019 in Cuba—where we will explore fitness, nutrition, agriculture, urban farming, and more on the island—click here.