Conversations with Raphael Harry

Today we’d like to introduce you to Raphael Harry. They and their team shared their story with us below:

Raphael Harry, a Navy veteran and strong advocate for mental health, is the host of the White Label American Podcast. Based in Brooklyn, NY, he interviews immigrants and other captivating individuals, sharing their stories with the world.

Born in Jos, Nigeria, Raphael’s educational journey took him to various cities in Nigeria, including Benin City and Ibadan. In 2007, he made the life-changing decision to move to the United States. Shortly after, he joined the Navy and embarked on a journey across the country, eventually finding himself stationed in the Kingdom of Bahrain in 2010. It was during this time that Raphael witnessed the Arab Spring unfold before his eyes.

In 2012, Raphael made the courageous choice to leave the Navy and pursue higher education. Despite facing personal battles with depression and life struggles, he successfully graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Pace University.

Through his own experience and journey towards mental well-being, Raphael discovered the importance of embracing mental health treatment. With the support of the VA, he found solace and stability. In 2018, Raphael became a proud father, and in October 2019, he launched the White Label American Podcast. Through this platform, he aims to break down artificial barriers by sharing stories primarily from immigrants, fostering understanding and unity.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nah, it hasn’t. Struggles include racial, cultural, health related just to name a few.

Many struggles could have been avoided if I had access to the right information earlier. For instance, when I transitioned out of active duty, I mistakenly believed that landing a high-paying job would instantly make me feel fulfilled. Additionally, there was a stigma surrounding disability that prevented me from pursuing my disability filing.

Thankfully, the PACT Act provides an opportunity for me to have some of my disabilities officially recognized. Unfortunately, I was unaware of what and when to document regarding my health while serving, and I am now dealing with the physical and sometimes mental consequences of that ignorance.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My creative style is about embracing and recognizing the humanity in whoever I’m interviewing. At the end of every recording, nothing beats the smile on the faces of hundreds of guests, the majority of whom have just talked about life journey for the first time.

I specialize in celebrating the human journey, so if my guest is an immigrant who hasn’t had a successful business (typical rags-to-riches story). It doesn’t make them boring to talk to, I have talked to founders of startups, teachers, actors working two or three jobs, established artists, and upcoming. At the end of the day, everyone has something that I and my audience can learn from and that’s how we bring down artificial walls.

No extremism is encouraged or promoted on my platform. I also am willing to correct any information that I have presented previously upon presentation with new facts. Can’t be a platform for learning if the host is against learning.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Before the age of five, I had the amazing ability to speak four languages fluently. However, due to concerns in my family about my English skills, I gradually lost my fluency in those languages.

Nevertheless, I discovered a knack for connecting with people from different communities and cities through storytelling, which became my unique way of communication.

Growing up, I developed a passion for various forms of entertainment, from watching the captivating world of WWF (now WWE) to becoming an avid soccer fan. Despite being a self-proclaimed nerd, I immersed myself in sports, movies, cartoons, and wrestling, finding joy in everything except my school books. And let’s not forget my obsession with AM Radio stations, as FM stations were deemed cooler in those days.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.whitelabelamerican.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whitelabelamerican/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhiteLabelAmericanPod/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/PodWLA
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdTMdJ9dhGrdT2dFqUUmBAg
• Other: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=hr.apps.n245148

Image Credits
Walter Nordquist and Josh Wilcox for Brooklyn Podcasting Studio