Ep. 144 – Autism Acceptance in African Communities with Karidiatou

In this powerful episode, host Rashidah sits down with Karidiatou Coulibaly (known as Kadi), founder of Moussa Unfolded Hope Initiative (MUHI), to discuss her family's autism journey and the unique challenges many African families face when navigating disability, stigma, and cultural expectations.

Raised in an African community where autism was rarely discussed, Karidiatou found herself searching for answers after her son, Moussa, was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. What followed was a journey of learning, advocacy, and a commitment to changing how autism is understood within African communities.

Together, they explore the impact of cultural beliefs, the silence that often surrounds disability, and the importance of representation, awareness, and acceptance.

About Our Guest

Karidiatou Coulibaly is the founder of Moussa Unfolded and the Moussa Unfolded Hope Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families and transforming how autism is understood within African communities. Originally from Ivory Coast (West Africa), Kadi came to the United States with little knowledge of autism — because in her community, it simply wasn't talked about.

She holds a bachelor's degree in agribusiness economics and a master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). She is also developing a children's animated series titled, "The Land Where We Speak", designed to represent children with diverse disabilities and teach inclusivity through storytelling.

Karidiatou resides in Georgia with her family

Connect with Karidiatou:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/moussa_unfolded

TikTok: moussa_unfolded13

In this episode, we discuss:

0:00 – Welcome

0:42 – Episode Overview

1:12 – Autism Stigma in African Communities

2:06 – Meet Karidiatou Coulibaly

3:31 – The Conversation Begins

4:08 – Musa Turns 13

5:11 – Karidiatou's Story

5:28 – Moussa's Early Diagnosis

7:18 – Cultural Barriers: being from the African diaspora

8:30 – Karidiatou Never Hides Autism

14:19 – Karidiatou's Hearing Loss Journey

20:49 – Moussa's Growth & Independence

22:56 – Building Daily Life Skills

27:45 – Returning to School

30:05 – The Story Behind Moussa Unfolded

34:03 – Supporting Other Moms

47:14 – What makes Karidiatou a Badass Mom?

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