“Coming From America”: Ghana’s Legacy of Welcoming the Diaspora Continues

A new reality-TV docuseries, “Coming From America” premieres on September 5th, 2024, on the streaming platform Max. Viewers are invited to witness African Americans who made the decision to move to Ghana and explore what it truly means to come home to Africa. For those seeking peace, connection, and a deeper sense of belonging, Ghana continues to stand as a welcoming home for the diaspora, embodying the pan-African ideals that have shaped its history.

“Coming From America” is more than just a reality show—it’s a powerful chronicle of resilience, cultural discovery, and the pursuit of a dream to reconnect with Africa. The series follows four families, including the Davis, Smiley, Kelly, and Jones families, as they navigate the complexities of building new lives in Ghana.

Ghana has long been known as the ‘Gateway to Africa’ and has historically been a place for the African diaspora, offering a place of refuge, reconnection, and renewal. As a country that has always embraced its pan-African identity, Ghana’s commitment to welcoming people of African descent from across the globe reached new heights with the “Year of Return” in 2019. This monumental initiative marked 400 years since the first documented enslaved Africans were taken to the United States, and it sparked a global movement, inspiring thousands of African Americans and other members of the diaspora to explore the possibility of returning to the continent.

Among those who answered this call are Tony and Ayo Jones, an African American couple from Houston, Texas. Their journey to Ghana is captured in the new Max Original docuseries. Interestingly, Ayo is half African American and half Ghanaian. Her experience has a connection to both Ghana and America. The series offers a candid look at the challenges and triumphs they and others faced as they made Ghana their new home, showcasing the raw, authentic experiences of adjusting to a new culture, system, and way of life.

For people of African descent, moving to Ghana often represents a path to peace of mind—a chance to escape the stresses and racial tensions of the West and embrace a culture that feels like home. However, the transition comes with its own set of challenges. “Coming From America” portrays these challenges with honesty, capturing the reality of adapting to new systems, customs, and ways of life. The family’s journey serves as a powerful reminder that while returning to one’s roots can be deeply fulfilling, it demands resilience and an open heart.

“Coming From America” premieres this Thursday September 5th, 2024, on Max.

Watch the show trailer here: https://www.etonline.com/media/videos/coming-from-america-families-hit-with-culture-shock-as-they-relocate-to-africa?amp

Diallo Sumbry is the CEO of The Adinkra Group and Ghana’s first African American Tourism Ambassador. This month he releases his book, ‘A Smart Ghana Repatriation Guide’ on May 19, 2021. The book promises help simplify the process of moving to Ghana and gives an in-depth look on doing business and repatriation. It’s a candid look at the ups and downs as well as the opportunities for success in the country. He leaves no stone unturned in the book which includes contributions from others who have also repatriated to Ghana.

Sumbry first stepped on the continent of Africa in 1988. His first trip was to Senegal and he hasn’t looked back since. His journey to discovering and exploring more of the continent has also taken him to Mali, Morocco, Guinea, the Gambia, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Ghana. He’s been doing this long before the ‘Year of Return’ in 2019 when thousands of people of African descent made the trip to Ghana. Sumbry played a key role in the ‘Year of Return’ campaign that marked the 400-year anniversary of the first documented ship of enslaved Africans to arrive in Virginia, USA.

His company, the Adinkra Group, has been responsible for bringing people of African descent to Ghana through what he calls, the ‘Birthright Journey’. He creates curated cultural experiences that are meant for people who have been yearning to make that trip to the motherland.

He has spent several years in Ghana giving back to communities, working on business projects and getting to know the landscape of the country at the ground level. ‘A Smart Ghana Repatriation Guide’ is an honest blend of personal experiences, lessons, and practical tips that provide a timely contribution to the “Back to Africa” renaissance sparked by the Year of Return and now with its decade-long Beyond the Return campaign.

Sumbry says that his book offers a virtual experience as you read each chapter and use the scannable QR codes that are embedded in the text of the book. He wanted to do this so that the book can come to life in a new and inspiring way.

Pre-orders of the book are available until May 16th and the official release date is May 19th.

Click here to purchase a copy of the book

Visit the website www.theadinkragroup.com to purchase or more info.