Back for a fifth season, BET’s popular reality show College Hill premiered on Tuesday, March 11, 2008, with a 1.2 coverage rating which translates to 1.1 million households and 1.6 million viewers. The world tuned in to see eight students from four different Historically Black Universities (Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Georgia State University and the University of West Georgia) descend upon Atlanta and explore their academic and career goals, love lives, friendships, trials and tribulations.

With last Tuesday’s Premiere, ‘College Hill‘ earned the best Premiere Night position in BET History. “College Hill” is Executive produced by Tracy Edmonds, for Edmonds Entertainment (established jointly by Ms. Edmonds and former husband, R&B superstar Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds) and Sean Rankine for Phoenix Risen.

So, with all the buzz around the show, Africa’s Premiere Entertainment Portal (Jamati.com), was granted an exclusive interview with Sira of ‘College Hill’ to talk a little about her experiences on the show and as one of two (2) Africans featured in the record breaking Season 5.

Jamati.com: Since you come from an African Perspective what is the meaning of your name?
Sira: Actually, it comes from a verse in the Quoran which is spelled surrah. My parents changed the spelling a little to Sira.

Jamati.com: So how did you get on to College Hill?
Sira: That was really crazy. My friend Ashley and I were on BET Spring Bling and we were models on the show. We saw emails and flyers about the show and decided to send in our bios and photos. They liked us and invited us to be on the show.

Jamati.com: Generally speaking, Africans don’t respond really well to entertainment careers. You gotta be a Doctor, Lawyer or come from one of those technical type backgrounds. So how did your family respond to you coming home saying I’m going to be on this entertainment show and a reality show no less?
Sira: Well my family is pretty supportive of me, and whatever I choose to do. I do come from that experience but my dream has always been to be in the entertainment field in some way. Being in the States I saw that it could be a reality. My Mom was hesitant at first..but she supports me now 100%.

Jamati.com: Coming from a Guinean household with both parents being from there, tell me what sort of ethnic home food you missed while in the mansion for two (2) months?
Sira: Oh my God! (laughing) I used to so try to sneak home as much as possible. I didn’t want to cook anything in the house because of people’s reactions…you know…but my mom would sneak me food at school and stuff like that…

Jamati.com: So that brings me to the next question, what is your favorite chop?
Sira: Well, we have this rice that is like a Jambalaya, and it is so good. It is called rivagras…and it is cooked with fish or chicken or beef.

Jamati.com: So, do y’all do a lot of palm oil?
Sira: Not really. My mom doesn’t cook with it too much.

Jamati.com: So you all are not really fufu people either ? (laughing)
Sira: No, not really. (laughing) I actually learned about fufu when I came here.

Jamati.com: What kind of opportunities have come to you as a result of being on College Hill?
Sira: Oh wow! I am getting so much love and support from the African Community and I really appreciate that. As of right now, I’m taking acting classes right now, have done some interviews and radio, and I see so many opportunities coming from this.

Jamati.com: So besides us at Jamati.com (laughing), what has been your best interview so far?
Sira: Well, I’d have to say yours, because it is really nice being interviewed by another African and reppin’ Africa.

Jamati.com: (laughing) Well, thank you! We love it when you rep Africa.
Jamati.com: That brings me to the next question about reppin’ Africa. Your other housemate Anthony is Liberian. Did you all find commonalities or bond more because of that?
Sira: Well we did bond in some ways but since he was born and raised in New Jersey, he was reppin’ Jersey a whole lot (laughing). We would share stories and things like that.

Jamati.com: Okay, so have you or do you have any plans to go back home anytime soon.
Sira: That is a good question . I actually plan on going back home in May.

Jamati.com: Are you going to do anything in entertainment while you’re there? Or will you just be reconnecting with family?
Sira: For now, I will just be there for family and to reconnect. You know they get information before we get it here, so who knows (laughing)

Jamati.com: Well, we’ll certainly do our part in letting them know about you before you get home (laughing).
Sira: Definitely. Thank you very much!

Jamati.com: Growing up here there are stereotypes that reflect in questions like “do you see elephants?” “are there monkeys in your backyard?” which sometimes lead people to feel negative about connecting with their African-ness. Have you experienced this?
Sira: Oh my God! I got that a whole lot. And at first it would piss me off until I watched the Discovery Channel and saw the images they saw for the first time. From then I just knew that I had to do everything that I could to educate them about who and what we are.

Jamati.com: Any final words for your Diaspora Audience?
Sira: Follow your dreams and know that nothing is impossible. In America, the land of opportunity, you should dream big and go after what you believe!

Jamati.com: Wow, that is wonderful. I thank you for your time, and peace and blessings to you.
Sira: I thank you so much!

In addition to hitting the books, and having fun this season, the housemates will also have an opportunity to meet and work with Ludacris on a community project for his foundation and exchange ideas and culture with students while traveling across the Atlantic to London, England.