Captain Janet Days is now the first Black woman commanding officer in Naval Station Norfolk’s (NAVSTA) 106-year-history, 13NewsNow reports.
The Chicago native graduated Summa Cum Laude from Old Dominion University and was commissioned through Naval ROTC’s Enlisted Commissioning Program. Within her 24-year career, she’s taken numerous tours aboard: USS Simon Lake homeported at La Maddalena, Italy, USS Mahan, and USS Forrest Sherman. She’s also been deployed twice!
Her leadership hasn’t gone unnoticed; Days was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (7), Army Commendation Medal (2), Army Achievement Medal, and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal.
Few weeks ago, she was sworn in as NAVSTA’s 51st Commanding Officer, a role that is typically reserved for white men, making history as the first Black commanding officer of the world’s largest naval base, which is located in Norfolk, VA. This wasn’t the first time Days made history; in 2021, she was named the first Black woman Executive Officer at Naval Station Norfolk.
In her new role, she’ll be overseeing 6,200 acres, including 13 piers, an 8,000-foot airfield, 63 ships, two 188 aircrafts and 18 squadrons. A true trailblazer and an inspiration to us all, this is a beautiful way to end Black History Month.
I understand the pain of doing it alonewith no support system. I know it hurts when you think about the sacrifices, and you feel life is not fair.
Believe me, I also have those moments. When I say I understand, I truly mean it.
However, you must understand that while trauma isn’t your fault, healing is your responsibility.
You can’t heal from pain If you continuously visit old wounds or give life to topics that put you in a “dramatic” position where you entertain the public with your private matters. You will end up looking like the problem you are trying to solve.
One thing I have done to protect my energy and peace since I became a single parent is to stay away from things, people, and places that trigger any old wound I’m trying to heal from
The Power of Healing
Healing is an art.
It takes time, it takes practice, discipline, and self-love.
I also learned that healing is in phases, and the more inner work you do, the more things came to the surface.
Instead of explaining myself to folks who have not walked a mile in my shoes, I focused on my healing journey, prayer, and affirmations.
Healing affirmations for tra.u.ma is one of the tips I shared in my soon-to-be-released self-help book. If you would like to have a copy, kindly click here to join the waitlist. I also shared some techniques I used over the years to stay grounded and focused, even when I was gaslighted.
It’s not easy really, but once you learn to forgive yourself, you have the power to control your emotions and your impulse.
Sharing information around the globe has become trendy across social media platforms due to the improvement in technology. Blogging is one of the main communication platforms accessible in this digital age.
A blog is an information platform where a writer or team of writers craft interesting content on a wide range of subjects such as news, food, fashion, lifestyle, and many more.
Nigeria is blessed with numerous talented bloggers trending on social media with active followers of their blogs. Women are ranking top in the list of influential, popular, and successful bloggers in Nigeria.
These 13 top female bloggers are experts in creating detailed and engaging content that captivates readers and entertains steady advertisements. These blogs focus on a variety of topics that Nigerian society can relate to and find interesting.
Below are the top 13 female bloggers in Nigeria you should follow this year.
1. Linda Ikeji
Linda Ikeji uses her more than 15 years of experience to dish out entertaining and outstanding content. She owns Lindaikeji.blogspot.com. Her blog releases stories and news, which consists of political news and celebrity updates that are unique to her blog. Linda Ikeji who is also known as the Queen of bloggers is one of the most popular, wealthiest, and influential bloggers in Africa.
Linda Ikeji
2. Uche Pedro
Uche Eze is the CEO of ‘Bella Naija’ which is one of the most trendy and winning blogs in Nigeria. Her blog posts consist of a detailed analysis of African weddings, beauty, fashion, music, entertainment, lifestyle, and many more. Numerous newbie bloggers draw inspiration from Uche Pedro.
Uche Pedro
3. Tosin Ajibade
Tosin is popular for dishing out entertaining and lifestyle content from her blog ‘Olorisupergal.’ She is an accounting degree holder from Lagos State University (LASU). Her top-notch blog posts have attracted several awards, and nominations consisting of Leading Ladies Africa, and YNaija’s 100 most significant women in Nigeria.
Tosin Ajibade- Olorisupergal
4. Laila Ijeoma
After quitting her job as a banker she turned her focus on blogging as a profession. Over the years she has demonstrated that blogging is a profitable career. She joins the list of top bloggers in the country. Fashion, lifestyle, politics, and celebrities gist are covered in her blog_ LailasBlog.com
Laila Ijeoma
6. Yemisi Aiyedun – Sisi Yemmie
Yemisi Aiyedun also called Sisi Yemmie, is a top Nigerian blogger. A mass communication graduate from Igbinedon university. Her blog ‘sisiyemmie.com’ publishes fashion tips, food and restaurant reviews, lifestyle, beauty, and many more. Her unique approach to numerous topics has landed her multiple awards. Three words for Yemisi’s blog are engaging, entertaining, and educative.
Sisi Yemmie
7. Kemi Filani
Kemi is a journalist and blogger. She owns one of the most visited blogs_ KemiFilani which offers valuable information on Love/weddings, spirituality, juicy celebrity gossip, news break down in contemporary styles, and movies.
Kemi Filani
8. Stella Dimoko Korkus
Another successful female blogger that covers a wide range of topics such as entertainment, gossip, events, inspiration, lifestyle, news, fashion, and a lot more is Stella Dimoko Korkus . Over the years she has become a daring journalist and her blog stelladimokorkus.com reflects that.
9. Moji Delano
Moji Delano is an online media aficionado, lawyer, communications strategist, and entrepreneur, She is behind popular blog; mojidelano.com, and also the owner of SMD media.
Moji Delano
10. Ladun Liadi (Oladunni)
The blog ‘LadunLiadi‘ was founded by Oladunni. She publishes blog posts on fashion, trends, celebrity updates, and hot gossip in Nigeria’s entertainment industry. Her blog is captivating, juicy, and interesting.
Ladun Liadi
11. Chidimma Umeh
Chidimma Umeh is the founder of ThatIgbochick blog. A beauty, lifestyle, and fashion blog that virtually shares detailed information on facial cosmetics, make-up, and fashion. She passionately writes on the listed subject and this attracts make-up and fashion lovers to her blog. Her posts are engaging and entertaining as she also writes about interesting aspects of her personal life, beauty tips, traveling, and others. Her blog is also known as dimmaumeh.com.
12. Kate Ijeoma
Kate loves to write about women, their fears, struggles and challenges on her blog. She tell stories of women no matter where they come from in a bid to inspire and encourage them to embrace their uniqueness. Her blog feminine.com.ng blog educates women on the importance of having a voice and identity.
Kate Ijeoma
13. Tobi Ayeni
Tobi Ayeni a Banking and Finance graduate at covenant university is one of the top female bloggers in Nigeria who founded missitechy, a technology-based blog that bloomed tremendously over the years.
Tobi is multi-talented because apart from being a blogger she is a digital marketer and proficient in regulating online communities, generating campaigns, unraveling insights, accessing metrics, and educating clients about the above listed.
Ejiro Osakede is a woman of many expressions. She’s a Singer, Trainer, Author, Sound Engineer, VoiceOver Artist, Master Storyteller, Podcaster and Event Host. She is the resident MC at the Female Founders Initiative MEA.
Everyone has talent. What’s rare is the courage to follow it to the places where it leads. There are people who multi-talented in different skills and thrive in all, Ejiro Osakede has succeeded everywhere she has taken her gift.
She is an audiobooks creator for African authors, with works from notable authors. The multi-award recipient is also known as the Energetic EJ. She is dedicated to training and supporting audiobook creators, narrators and podcasters by creating content and courses that help them thrive in their craft. As well as provide support via a closed community.
She is the convener of THE BECOMING SUMMIT- an initiative to awaken in the young generation (Ages 18 -35) a desire to BE a better version of themselves, being fit for their purpose and has reached Africa, Europe and Asia, spanning several countries across these continents.
Her Podcast, ‘Stretch Street’ focuses on documenting the stretch stories of individuals who have been through tough times and have come out of it as better people. In this interview with Esther Ijewere, she shares her inspiring story.
Childhood Influence
Consider me a womb opening for my parents. They had me after trying for a child for over a decade and so you can imagine the dramatic entry I made into the world. I was told they celebrated for like a week, starting from the hospital to the whole village.
My Dad was a sailor at the time and he worked with colleagues of other nationalities, they were all aware of the long wait and when I came along he was still away on his trip. So, when he returned, it was a whole week of partying and celebrating the arrival of his first child after waiting for so long and going through all manners of ridicule.
I was also told that I was a very bold and confident child and so I became popular as a toddler. You see why I said the spotlight is attracted to me. And that has been the case always. Whether I try or not, I always get noticed in any setting I show up.
In this regard, my childhood prepared me for what I am doing today. God has been faithful in placing me amongst leaders, visionaries and purpose driven individuals and communities.
Inspiration behind BECOMING SUMMIT
As an African Youth, there is a tendency to shortchange ourselves and discount us even before opportunities arrive. Especially for those of us from very humble backgrounds. And to make matters worse, for young people who didn’t have the right set of people around them to help them see that although their environment seems to be stifling, they can curate for themselves an enabling environment by the type of content they consume and the type of people they connect with online.
Ejiro Osakede, Podcaster and Storyteller
Being a Storyteller, Podcaster, Sound Engineer, Voice-Over Artist and Singer
I will start from singing. I started singing when I was a kid. I was part of the junior choir and then moved on to the senior choir. Then I became a worship leader back then. And since then, I pretty much grew in that regard as a church girl.
Then in 2000 after dropping out of school for lack of funds to pay my final year fee. I stepped into the entertainment industry as a backup singer. So, I became a back up singer both on stage and in the studio.
I had the opportunity to work with musicians from back then like Imona and the crusaders band, Mr. Kool, Ochonma, Tony-one-week, Dabyna and Jahcub Abraham to mention a few.
While that was going on, I also started to train as a field sound engineer. I learned how to build speakers, microphones and set up the stage for mega concerts. On days when I am not with the band backing up on stage, I will be on the stage manning the console and dealing with cables and equipment.
In 2005, I wrote a song and upon reflection while I wrote it, I realized that I wasn’t sure my life was in the exact direction I wanted it to be. I knew I would be in the spotlight, but I wanted my story to be inspiring and I felt if I continued at the pace I was at the time as a showgirl, I might miss my way.
So, I decided to withdraw from the entertainment industry to go figure my life out. Then I decided to go back to school. I wanted so badly to go take an acting course at PEFTI. But I was advised against it. And I was encouraged to take up a Course that could get me a secured job. So, I settled for Secretarial Studies.
Once I was done with my OND I knew this wasn’t the course for me, so I refused to go further with my HND to go out and explore my options.
That was when I took the OAP course with The ProEmcees Academy founded by Kamal Salau, a veteran in the broadcast industry back then. This was where I started to get more interested in the use of my voice. And it was also during this short course that I fell in love with audiobooks.
Ejiro osakede
One of the materials that was presented during this course was THE BIBLE EXPERIENCE. And this project got me hooked so badly I told myself I wanted to replicate it for African Authors. And that became my main project for the next couple of years.
Working with African Authors to convert their books into audio. Years down the line, I figured I must be getting something wrong and maybe I should go back to school to gain more knowledge. So, I went back to get a degree in audio engineering at SAE Dubai.
The storytelling is a result of being a podcaster as my podcast covers the stories of my guests. I started podcasting officially in 2019. It started with a faith-based podcast named Worship Song of the Week which lasted a year.
Then I started The Afrocentrist Podcast towards the end of 2020 and rebranded late 2022 into Stretch Street Podcast where the goal is to document the stretch stories of individuals to draw out life lessons from their challenging experiences while aggregating references for young people of African descent that challenges are not exclusive to any of us.
They are there to teach us and to make the most of them we must learn to identify the lessons that these challenges came to teach us and also document them so that others can learn from our mistakes or success.
The Journey So Far
My journey so far has been a learning curve. I am getting to know myself better as well as improving in the way that I show up. It’s not been an easy ride but its been a great one so far. I have had to explore the multiple phases of my skills, talents and strengths. Mostly through service to others and as a solo-prenuer.
I have also taken up a lot of courses to develop various aspect of my expressions. Majority of which took place between 2022 and now. Before then I had an OND in Sec Admin, I trained as an OAP, I took Conflict resolution masterclasses. I also took a couple of short courses in Public speaking both back home in Nigeria and abroad in Dubai UAE.
Challlenges
I’d say the major challenge for me was internal. I had a lot of limiting mindsets. And it’s taken a lot of work to get to where I am today. I am still a work in progress. This is why I take personal development very dear to my heart.
My Passion For Creating Audiobooks for African Authors
I believe that as Africans we haven’t done a great job in telling our stories or documenting our lives from the place of strength like one of my mentors Onye Ubanatu would say. At the time when I picked up this niche, I couldn’t even articulate it this much. I just knew that I wanted to help African Authors leave a digital footprint in the audiobook space.
I wanted a situation where our books will be in audio format and not stop there, but also in our local dialects to preserve our heritage.
One time I was researching the languages in Nigeria, and I discovered that some languages from the northern part of the country have gone extinct and more will go extinct in the next 20 to 30years. Leaning into audio content is one way that we can preserve our languages for generations to come. And the gift of the internet and cloud storage can be leveraged to make this happen.
Ejiro osakede receiving an award
I can’t say that I have succeeded in birthing this idea but I don’t cease to talk about it, because as much as I don’t feel I’ve done justice to it, I know that there are people out there who bare the same burden as me, and least I can do is keep talking about it so that they can also know that they are not alone in their thoughts. And perhaps some day we can have a couple of young Africans come together to do something about it and maybe build a solution collaboratively.
Other Projects and Activities
Since I couldn’t pull off the audiobook project to mainstream, I felt I had a chance to take it in bite size and start with podcasting. So, I’ve been an advocate for young Africans to use their voice for impact, influence and income. They can do this by following their convictions and sharing their messages using podcasts as a tool.
Hence I run a challenge where I train, guide and support newbie podcasters how to set up their podcast not just because it’s in vogue, but to plug it into what they feel convinced is their purpose and use this tool to grow their impact and influence while earning an income through it as well.
I have had about 50 people go through this program in the last one year and counting.
What I Enjoy Most About My Job
As an audio content producer; Podcasts, audiobooks, voice overs, I love editing, I love experiencing the minds of those that I get to work with. I also get to learn while I am working, that means for me, work is growth. And there is nothing as blessed as having to do what you love and getting paid for it.
Women Who Inspire Ejiro Osakede and Why
Edirin Edewor – She is my coach, turned friend and sister. If resilience was a person then it is Edirin Edewor. She’s intelligent, gentle and has a big heart for people. She’s like a gift that keeps giving. And her story gets me up my feet every time I think about what she has to go through with her health condition and still be able to make such significant impact. Honestly I respect her strength, commitment, resilience, and intelligence.
Debola Deji-Kurunmi – a.k.a DDK. DDK showed me the power of multi influential flows. The fact that as humans and especially as women, we have the capacity to flow in more than one direction and there is nothing wrong about it. We only need to embrace our potential and set up systems in place to manage our multiple flows. And she does it so seamlessly making me understand the power of a team, the power of people, the power of intentionality and maximizing the relationships in our lives.
What We Can Do To Support Women With Different Skill Sets
It is not uncommon to see women with various skill set, yet when it comes to the market place its a struggle for many of us. Naturally we are comfortable and familiar with the concept of wearing many hats as a woman. Mother, sister, friend, sister-in-law, daughter, daughter-in-law, Aunt and colleague.
However, when it comes to our skills, it feels so wrong and scattered sometimes when we are skilled in different areas. So I think we should talk more about it and have programs that will help us manage our skills better.
One Thing I wish To Change In My Sector
I will speak to this from an African perspective. If there is one thing I could change it will be the silo mentality. As a people we would do more, grow faster, make more impact if we learn to collaborate effectively. If we learn to bring our resources, skills and aligned visions together to form a bigger vision that will outlive us.
Being a Woman of Rubies
I am consistently evolving. I am big on personal development and inspiring others with my life. I have the interest of the people I serve at heart. I am winning against the battle of comparison daily and embracing my uniqueness with confidence and charisma. This makes me a woman of Rubies.
Tems part in Future’s hit single ‘Wait For U’ earned her the Grammy award for ‘Best Melodic Rap performance’ at the recent Grammy awards ceremony. Making her the first female artist from the Nigerian music industry to win a Grammy.
When Tems merged forces with Wizkid for ‘Essence,’ the anthem catapulted the sultry singer into an unexpected stardom. However, with her global recognition, there are many interesting facts about her that people are yet to know about.
Here are six thing you didn’t know about the singer;
She featured her mom on her debut EP
On her debut EP, Tems features the voice of her mother on ’Témìládè Interlude’. The track tells the story of an unshakeable maternal instinct that reassured her mother she’d bear a daughter, whose name was destined to be: Témìládè Openiyi.
She Is Half British
Born to a Nigerian mother and British-Nigerian father, the family moved to England for the first three years of her life, before returning to her home country.
She Wrote Her First Song At Age 17
At 17, she started to venture forwards with music, putting aside her beliefs around her voice not being sufficiently ‘feminine’. At this time, she joined the choir and started learning how to play the piano.
Tems at JayZ and Beyonce Pre-Grammys Party
Tems Is A Producer
Up ’til her latest EP, she majorly produced her own beats.
She loves Ghana
Ghana is Tems’ favourite place to watch the sunset. In touch with nature and surroundings, the artwork for ‘If Orange Was A Place’ is meant to resemble the warm tones of a sunset.
Reni Eddo-Lodge is an award winning journalist, author, and podcaster. She was the first black British author to take the overall No 1 spot in the UK’s official book charts few years ago.
Reni Eddo-Lodge’s Big Break
Eddo-Lodge’s “Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race” topped Nielsen BookScan’s UK top 50 in the week to 13 June, 2020, making her the first black British author to take the top slot since Nielsen began recording book sales in 2001.
The only black author to have taken the No 1 spot on the overall charts is the former US first lady Michelle Obama in 2018, with her memoir “Becoming“.
The book which was first published in 2017, became extremely popular in the wake of the recent Black Lives Matter protests. “Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race” details why the author would not be having conversations about race with most white people because they “refuse to accept the legitimacy of structural racism and its symptoms”.
Early Life
Eddo-Lodge was born and raised in London, England, by a Nigerian mother.She attended St Anne’s Catholic High School in Enfield.
She studied English literature at University of Central Lancashire, graduating in 2011. While at university, she became involved in feminist activism and the 2010 student protest movement. She was president of the University of Central Lancashire students’ union until 2012, and was an elected member of the National Executive Council of the National Union of Students from 2012 to 2013.
Career
As a freelance journalist, Eddo-Lodge has written for a number of publications, including The New York Times, The Guardian, The Independent, and several others.
Reni Eddo-Lodge has also appeared on BBC Radio 3’s Night Waves, discussing feminist issues. In April 2014, she was a judge in the BBC Woman’s Hour Power List 2014. In July 2020, Lodge partnered with Emma Watson and the WOW Foundation to spearhead a project reimagining the London Underground Map, renaming the 270 stops to spotlight women and non-binary people who have shaped the city’s history.
Nicole Lynn bet on herself, and it is paying off tenfold. She is set to become the first Black female agent to represent a quarterback in the Super Bowl.
Lynn represents Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who is gearing up to play the Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes II on Feb. 12.
The opportunity wasn’t handed to her. Instead, Lynn took a chance by sending a direct message to Hurts.
Opportunity Meets Preparation
“Hey, have you picked an agent? If not, I’d love to link,” Lynn wrote on Instagram, according to Sports Illustrated.
Hurts, who had not yet hired a sports agent, felt strongly that Lynn would be the right choice to step into that role due to her determination and her impressive work history.
While considering the idea, Hurts was presented with concerns by those who questioned women’s success in the heavily male-dominated industry. Yet, none of that wavered his decision.
“I know the agent world in the NFL, and all sports, is very male-dominated,” Hurts explained to Sports Illustrated. “But Nicole was really on top of her stuff. She was prepared. She knew what she was talking about. She was hungry. And she was determined. And I feel that determination like that never rests. Once you come across such a determined individual, that just hits me a little different.”
Work History
Lynn’s accomplishments in the sports world also include becoming the first female agent to represent NFL agency PlayersRep, which was later acquired by Lil Wayne’s Young Money APAA Sports Agency, in 2015.
What’s more, she was just 26-years-old when she signed her first client.
By 2021, Lynn had positioned herself as Klutch Sports Group’s President of Football Operations. She now represents over a dozen athletes, per Insider.
“Any time someone thinks of an agent, they’re gonna think of me,” Lynn said, according to NBC News. “The first person that’s gonna come to their mind is a Black woman. I’m the Jerry Maguire — that is who I am.”
Agent Nicole Lynn
Nicole Lynn’s Determination
In an interview with Sports Illustrated in 2022, Hurts stated, “I’ve put a lot of trust and faith in a female-driven team, I have a team of straight hustlers. … They get things done. And that’s how I am on the field and off the field. We’re all trying to accomplish something.”
She’s the first but she won’t be the last. Congratulations, Nicole Lynn!
TRACIE (Tracking Racism and Collecting Information in Education) is an innovative tool to support Black students facing racist bullying.
TRACIE is the brainchild of advocate and media professional True Daley and the soft launch is part of the Black To The Future event being held in Toronto on February 14th, 21st and 26th, featuring influencers LaToya Jane and Michael Carlon. The TRACIE Team is a grassroots organization which has received funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation with support from charitable organization the Delta Family Resource Centre to develop the one-stop, user-friendly method for Black children, youth and their families.
True believes the app will curb racism, bullying and injustice in the education sector and states the official launch will be in the fall of 2024
True’s Career Path
True Daley’s creative career began in the late 80’s ( then known as Royal T) as one of Montreal’s first female emcee which evolved to include spoken word, soul and folk music. The award-winning artist is also an actor, filmmaker and journalist.
Her contribution to the Canadian music scene has been captured in the anthology We Still Here : Hip Hop North of the 49th Parallel by Charity Marsh and Mark V. Campbell published in 2020.
True’s work has been featured in ByBlacks.com and CBC Parents. She has worked with youth in conflict with the law in Rexdale and the Jane and Finch neighborhoods for over a decade. She is an award-winning creative in film, music and technology.
True Daley | Image: Ahisu The Photographer
She is also a strong advocate for mental health awareness in the Black Community and a strong believer in holistic practices that are accessible and affordable for our most vulnerable communities.
Her Momentum
True became a household name in Toronto’s Urban Music scene in the 90s, recognized as the golden era of Hip-Hop.
She has appeared at Manifesto, NXNE, Toronto Urban Music Festival, Honey Jam, When Sisters Speak, The Urban Music Awards, MuchMusic, CBC, HBO and the Reelworld Film Festival.
The Honey Jam alumni’s first single “Comin In’ was featured on Universal Music Canada’s first all-female compilation “Honey Drops”. The single and video garnered UMAC (Urban Music Association of Canada) and VideoFact Awards among others. She then released an EP on her indie label Jahmecca Recordings entitled ‘Stranger Than Fiction” and her single” Pain and Confusion “was featured on the CHRY’s compilation “Message In A Bottle”.
True | Image: Susan Armstrong
She relocated to Taiwan, the Republic of China between 2004-2008 where she worked in music, media and theatre. She was featured in the Taipei Times and the China Post for her tribute to Miriam Makeba while performing for the President.
As a news anchor for the country’s only English radio station, she interviewed the late Bishop Desmond Tutu. As the frontwoman of hip-hop group Jahmecca Soundcrew she opened for Missy Elliott at the Taipei World Trade Centre.
She has also taken her talents of writing from the stage to the page and has been a senior writer for music and lifestyle publications for over 20 years including Peace!, Sway, The Toronto Star, ByBlacks.com, CBC Parents and more.
True Daley | Image: Kween Media
As an actor, True was able to hone her theatre skills with B Current under the creative direction of founder ahdri zhina mandiela and stage director Weyni Mengesha.
She is an ACTRA member who has appeared in independent films such as The Shift by Wandering Eye Productions and has also performed original spoken word on the first African-American drama series Soul Food.
True is also a community worker and arts educator. As the co-founder of the landmark D.I.V.A. (Diversity in Visual and Audio Arts) Program she provided media literacy and arts programing to BIPOC youth in high-needs communities between 2008-2011. The program was run in partnership with the City of Toronto’s Parks and Recreation Department.
True Daley as a Multi-talented Creative
This multi-disciplinary artist has recently delved into storytelling behind the camera as an emerging director and screenwriter. Her first short, Love Underground was selected for the 2016 Toronto Urban Film Festival, which screened on subway platforms throughout the city reaching over 1 million daily commuters.
2020 proved to be a breakout year for True. She was one of 8 emerging screenwriters chosen by BIPOC TV & Film to participate in a TV Comedy Writing workshop with creator, actor and playwright Ins Choi of the ground-breaking CBC sitcom – Kim’s Convenience. Later that year BIPOC TV & Film also selected True for their Kids TV Bootcamp.
True Daley | Image: Susan Armstrong
She was also shortlisted for the CBC Creative Relief Fund as a first-time documentary filmmaker. Her treatment for BOSSLADYSK8 stood out amongst 9000 submissions.
Mary Oyohosuho Phillip Is a sickle cell warrior, a sickle cell advocate, a Confidence Coach and Skin Care Consultant. Mary is the first Sickle Cell Warrior in her family, out of 3 in total 5 kids. Mary suffered severe complications of sickle cell, and was bedridden for 3 years, this resulted in deformity.
She has managed to further her higher institution learning walking with two sticks. Mary’s lived experience as a sickle cell survivor is a tool she continuously used to inspire, motivate and encourage people. She goes to schools, churches to share her survivor story.
In this interview with Esther Ijewere, the founder of Jesus Girls Club, Int’l shares her inspiring story.
Childhood Influence
I can truly say that my childhood prepared me for what I am doing today. While growing up, I watched my parents give their all to serving humanity and affecting the life of people positively. I have admired and wished to affect the lives of people just the way my parents were doing, and that has given me that push in life and has brought me to where I am and what I am doing today.
What Inspired Me To Be A Sickle Cell Advocate
What basically inspired me to be a sickle cell advocate is first, me being a sickle cell warrior, having two other siblings being warriors too in total making three warriors in the family. Secondly, losing my younger brother to sickle cell. Thirdly how sicklecell got me deformed, all the excruciating pain, discomfort, and all that comes with it. Going through all this I became dedicated in creating sickle cell awareness for people to prevent birthing children with the sickle cell disease.
Going by all the social vices that we hear daily in our society which affect the girl child, I always get heartbroken and think of a way to change the narrative. Social vices like early pregnancy, rape, molestation, sexual abuse etc. when I hear and watch young ladies in other part of the world doing amazing thing in their different field endeavors , this challenges and motivate me to want to groom and teach teenage girls starting from my community , to my country and to the world at large on having good morals, building a healthy self esteem self discovery and purpose driven life.
Another major thing that motivated me to start Jesus girls club was when I heard that in this age and time teenage girls still make use of cloth pieces, that is, rags to care for themselves when on their menstrual flow which is unhygienic to their health. This broke my heart completely.
The Journey So Far
The journey since I started my organization has been full of ups and downs. At the beginning it was going smoothly but along the way many obstacles and challenges came up. At one point I gave up completely, but my passion for this vision brought me back on track.
Challenges
There are so many challenges :first lack funds . Since after my NYSC my inability to get a job was a big challenge in carrying out my vision but the little business I was doing and the passion kept the vision running. Then the second challenge was reaching out to these teenage girls in remote rural communities where roads are accessible, and I don’t sit so well on a bike. So in general, funds and mobility are my major challenges.
wow! Am certain that my work has inspired other sickle cell advocate because so many Warriors always reach out to me in my inbox, telling me how I inspire and motivate them to do better in their advocacy.
There are so many other projects and activities lined up for my organization. First, getting my foundation registered with the corporate affairs position (CAC) ready so I can operate officially. Presently there is a project at hand called: “BACK TO SCHOOL CAMPAIGN”. My organization will be providing writing materials such as Notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers etc for children in public schools whose parents can’t afford those materials for them. There are many other projects coming up and this is a call for people to sponsor and partner with me in achieving this.
What I Enjoy Most About My Job
What I enjoy most about my job is seeing smiles on the faces of people we reach out to. My prayers to God when I was growing up, was that God should use me as a channel to bring joy into the life of people so, for God to help me in this little capacity, gives me great joy and I want God to bless me more to do greater Exploits and reaching out to more & more people within Nigeria, Africa & the world at large. That will be my greatest joy.
3 Women Who Inspire Me And Why
Since I began this Journey, there are three (3) powerful women I have seen & they inspire me greatly they are:
1. Esther Ijewere [Founder, WOMEN OF RUBIES]
2. Dr. Adesoye Tosin (Founder Sickle Celebs)
3. My Mother Mrs. Blessing O. Phillip
1. Esther Ijewere is one woman I love so much, she inspires me. Since I came across her on Facebook, I always rush to her page everyday to read what she has posted. I admire her strength,I admire her supporting women and generally I classify her as Beauty & Brains.
2, The Second woman that inspires me so much is Dr. Adesoye Tosin, the founder of Sickle celebs. When I began the journey of advocacy for sickle cell. The first woman I came across with the same issue as mine is Dr Tosin. I thought to myself, if a young lady with sickle cell can go study a course as tedious as medicine and still do well in it then, she is worth emulating and this got me inspired.
3.. The third woman that motivates me is my biological mother Mrs. Blessing O.philip. a woman who is my first teacher, doctor, prayer warrior and caregiver. A woman that never stopped loving and caring for myself and my siblings after the demise of my beloved dad, despite our many health challenges. My super hero, my strong support system, my disciplinarian but correct in love I admire her strength, perseverance, doggedness.
On The Stigmatization Of Sickle Cell Warriors
one thing I will say to people who stigmatize sickle cell warriors is that “STIGMATIZATION IS VERY BAD”. No one choose to be born with sickle cell or any other health challenge. Stop stigmatization, show love, empathy to sickle cell warriors. Do not discriminate, we deserve to love and to be loved in return.
What Government Should Do To Support Sickle Cell Warriors
The government should make the health facilities & health insurance available and accessible to sickle cell patients in our hospitals. Routine drugs and medical checkup should be provided or made cheap for sickle cell warriors / caregivers to afford.
Being A Woman of Rubies
I am an extraordinary lady who lives an exemplary life for the younger generation to emulate. A go-getter, a warrior who never gives up. A fearless woman, courageous, tenacious. A lady who works towards leaving an impactful footprint on the sands of time
What I Would Say To A Young Person On The Verge Of Giving Up
“GIVING UP SHOULD NOT BE AN OPTION”. Embrace life to the fullest. Believe in God, and yourself and Hope for a better tomorrow. Put in your own efforts, because “THERE IS A PRICE FOR EVERY PRIZE”. Thank you
Canada’s first Black Caribbean family-based reality show returns for its second season, premiering Saturday, Feb. 11 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV. Encore presentations to air Sundays at 2 p.m. ET/PT on CTV2, beginning Feb. 12, with episodes also available on CTV.ca and the CTV app.
“We’re so excited to be back on CTV after another successful run on Bell Fibe TV1 – and during Black History Month too, which gives us an opportunity to show a positive representation of family during this significant time for our community,” exclaimed Jillian Danford, aka Auntie Jillian. “Even through challenging times like the pandemic, our show is a great reminder that family is so important and we should cherish the time we have together.”
When cultures collide, hilarity often ensues and for The Danford family, the fun-loving and laugh-out-loud moments are endless. In Season 2, AUNTIE JILLIAN keeps viewers wondering what hysterical shenanigans this family will encounter next with focus on the themes of family – including those who have passed on – baseball training with former pro-ball player, Nigel Wilson, the COVID-19 pandemic, tarot card readings, and more! Jillian Danford (“Auntie Jillian”), her husband Warren, and adult children Myles and Milan are bound to bring some laughter and scenarios that many Canadian families can find relatable.
Meet Auntie Jillian
Jillian Danford is a YouTube, television and social media personality who gained popularity on YouTube as Auntie Jillian with more than 100,000 subscribers and over 15 million views. This well-loved Trinidadian-Canadian personality along with her husband Warren and their adult children, Myles and Milan, have captured the hearts of viewers both online and on TV.
AUNTIE JILLIAN airs: Saturdays at 8 p.m. ET on CTV and Sundays at 2 p.m. ET on CTV2
Feb. 11 & 12: Baseball & Medium
