Interviews&profile Archives

In Interviews&profile June 9, 2020 By Esther Ijewere

Owner Of Black Girl Sunscreen Secures $1 Million Investment

The owner of Black Girl Sunscreen secured a $1 million investment from a private woman funder, Forbes reports.

Even in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, Shontay Lundy, owner of Black Girl Sunscreen (BGS), was still able to secure the investment needed to take her business to the next level. BGS is the only Black-owned indie brand carried full time in Target’ sun care section, an accomplishment in and of itself. Now, Lundy partnered with a private investor to the tune of $1 million to help scale her brand even further.

The company currently only sells adult and children’s sunscreen. The BGS SPF 30 and BGS Kids SPF 50 is sold in over 200 Target stores across the country and the brand is worth a cool $5 million. With only 5 people on staff, Lundy wanted to ensure that she continued the company’s momentum through the pandemic, instituting an “all hands on deck” approach that included aggressive social media strategy and marketing efforts, resulting in an increase in e-commerce orders.

“I told the team we need to change the narrative and be very nimble to survive this. I worked hard for three years. We created a groundbreaking product for an underserved market that resonated with our community. Black Girl Sunscreen brought awareness and shifted a mindset around people of color wearing sunscreen. Lastly, it didn’t hurt that we [already] secured a partnership with a big-box retailer, which activated national exposure for our brand,” Lundy told Forbes.

The brand launched in 2016 and has been popular with women of color. The paraben free product that includes moisturizing natural ingredients like avocado, jojoba, aloe, cocoa butter, and carrot juice caters specifically to melanated women, allowing them to enjoy wearing the sunscreen without the residue and harsh chemicals included in other brands. With Black-owned women companies receiving less than 1 percent of all venture capital funding annually, Lundy said that seeking an investor who was also a woman just felt “natural” to her.

The company not only sells sunscreen but also educates melanated women about why the product is needed for their skin as well, warning against sunburn, skin cancer, and signs of aging. Lundy says the funds will help take the brand to the next level and allow the company to release more products sooner than later. She hopes that her story will encourage other Black entrepreneurs to seek out all resources when getting their businesses off the ground.

“My advice for other minority businesses looking for funding is to take advantage of grants and available resources, participate in pitch competitions to learn how to sell your business and gain exposure, have buttoned-up financials; and put yourself in environments to meet investors/high-net-worth individuals,” Lundy said.

Congratulations Shontay! We can’t wait to stock up on our sunscreen!

Photo Courtesy of Black Girl Sunscreen

Source: Becauseofthemwecan

In Interviews&profile June 9, 2020 By Esther Ijewere

North Carolina Senior Gets Accepted Into 45 Colleges, Receives More Than $4 Million In Scholarships

A North Carolina graduating senior has a lot to be excited about, getting accepted into 45 colleges and receiving more than $4 million in scholarships, WTVD reports.

Ive Jones is a senior at Apex Friendship High School in North Carolina. While commencements everywhere have been canceled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jones is still celebrating, and rightfully so. The 17-year old is graduating summa cum laude, with acceptance letters to 45 out of the 50 schools she applied to and $4 million in academic scholarships.

“Being awesome was being authentically me, and I didn’t know that until I saw other Black kids doing it,” Ive told Because of Them We Can.

The rising college freshman has worked hard to get to where she is today. At just 11 years old, she organized a fundraising campaign to help children in Africa who were orphaned as a result of the Ebola pandemic, setting an initial goal of $4,000 and raising nearly $30,000. Last year, Jones organized a health conference in Raleigh, North Carolina to encourage young women and people of color to pursue careers in STEM. She’s always had an interest in the health sector and has focused most of her energy thus far on making an impact there. The irony of her graduating while navigating a pandemic here in the U.S. isn’t lost on us.

“As a student, these things are things we’re going to be discussing in class and I’m going to need to know thoroughly in order to apply my knowledge later on,” she said.

Jones is taking her talents to Princeton where she plans to major in global health on full scholarship. Her mother, Catherine Jones, said she’s just so proud. “I’m immensely proud of her. She’s just a hardworking person. [Graduation] was a moment we’ve looked forward to. But in everything you have to find gratitude. And you know, at the end of the day we’ll still get to celebrate. I’m West African and we find ways to celebrate,” Catherine Jones said.

Ive is still hoping that she can celebrate with her class when this is all over. But for now, she’s just focused on the future.

Congratulations Ive!!

Photo Courtesy of WTVD

In Interviews&profile June 9, 2020 By Esther Ijewere

This Chicago Teen Just Earned Her Master’s Degree At Just 14-Years-Old

A 14-year-old Chicago teen is celebrating a huge win, graduating with her master’s degree before most of her peers have graduated from high school.

According to Rolling Out, Dorothy Jean Tillman has been exceeding expectations her entire life. At just 8 months old she began talking, by four she was completing math problems and by nine she was starting high school. Three years later at the age of 12, she earned her bachelor’s degree in humanities from Excelsior College.

In Inspiration June 6, 2020 By Women of Rubies

“Let me be clear we are failing women and girls” – Toyin Saraki

Mrs. Toyin Ojora Saraki is a Nigerian philanthropist with two decades of advocacy, and she has expressed her displeasure about the state of things with the security of women in the country.

“This year marked the start of the United Nations’ Decade of Delivery, where we were promised that things would change for the empowerment of women and girls. Armed with research to prove how much better off our world would be with the rights of women and girls realised, we in the global advocacy community declared that it is well past time to start living in a gender equal reality,” she wrote.

“But instead of keeping our promise to protect and empower women and girls, in Nigeria in 2020, we are still burying them,” she continued.

Mrs Saraki who is the Global Goodwill Ambassador for World Midwives, on the rape cases wrote, “But with the heartless, thoughtless violent deaths of Uwa and Tina it is clear that we have thus far failed to engage leaders and policymakers to implement meaningful mechanisms to protect them.”

With a strong passion for leadership, Mrs Saraki noted her involvement with gender and promotion of a safe environment for women, “Last year I was honoured to join the International Conference on Population and Development, full of hope to deepen Nigeria’s consultations on gender. I called to build political commitment from leaders and policymakers to speak out, condemning violence against women.

“At the Commonwealth of Nations last year, we made a promise of No More Violence, yet, here we are, from our leaders, and right down to our grassroots, failing women and girls. Frankly, I am outraged. The gruesome deaths of Uwa and Tina are a visceral notice of our failure in Nigeria, and that’s why I am joining the WACOL Tamar SARC and Social Intervention Advocacy Foundation to call for radical reform of our police, to end the impunity of sexual violence against women and girls. In the name of all our global and national commitments to women and girls, the Nigerian state must make systemic changes to protect our young girls. Uwa and Tina’s lives will not be lost in vain,” she wrote.

To read her full heartfelt article, click her website here

In Inspiration June 6, 2020 By Women of Rubies

Okonjo-Iweala Gets Nominated as DG World Trade Organizations

In Inspiration June 6, 2020 By Women of Rubies

WHO, UNICEF Urge Mothers To Continue Breastfeeding Despite Covid-19 Fears

The World Health Organisation and its sister agency, UNICEF, have encouraged women to continue to breastfeed during the pandemic, even if they have confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection. According to them, active COVID-19 virus has not, to date, been detected in the breast milk of any mother with confirmed or suspected COVID-19.

On Wednesday, the UN Agency, released a statement via its website saying that COVID-19 would not be likely transmitted through breastfeeding due yo evidence

According to WHO, UNICEF, and the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) countries are not properly stopping the harmful promotion of breast-milk substitutes. They noted that most companies are beginning to take advantage of the pandemic to push their products to the market and that breastfeeding is under threat.

“The numerous benefits of breastfeeding substantially outweigh the potential risks of illness associated with the virus,” the authors find.

Breast milk saves children’s lives by providing antibodies that give them a healthy boost and protect them against many childhood illnesses.

Some female patients had due to fear stopped breastfeeding which resulted in the use of breast milk substitutes.

Breast milk is the only accepted food recommended for infants for the first six months of their lives.

The agencies lamented that breastfeeding is under threat as health systems are stretched thin.

WHO also said the pandemic is having a negative effect on the health care services aimed at supporting mothers to breastfeed, including counselling and skilled lactation.

The Agencies have called on governments to urgently strengthen the legislation on the ban of all breast milk substitutes during the COVID-19 pandemic, including donations of breast milk substitutes in emergency situations.

The Code bans all forms of breast-milk substitutes promotion, including advertising, gifts to health workers and distribution of free samples. Labels must carry messages about the superiority of breastfeeding over formula and the risks of not breastfeeding.

There were some guidelines released for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 mothers who want to breastfeed their babies were also released. They include:

Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand rub especially before touching the baby;
Always wear a medical mask during any contact with the baby, including while feeding;
Sneeze or cough into a tissue. Then dispose immediately and wash hands again;
Regularly cean and disinfect surfaces after touching them.

Mothers are to follow the prevention measures listed, and should continue breastfeeding.

Reference: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/coronavirus/394992-who-unicef-urge-mothers-to-sustain-breastfeeding-despite-covid-19-fears.html

In Inspiration June 5, 2020 By Women of Rubies

#RubyGirls| “If You Don’t Fail Sometimes, How Will You Know What You’re Not Doing Right” – Ejiro Agambi

Ejiro Agambi, a graduate of Computer Science from Lagos State University, is a vibrant and an enterprising Nigerian committed to adding value and creating job opportunities.

She’s the Founder of JEOVIL GROUP which houses one of Nigeria’s leading cleaning companies; Jeovil Cleaning and Maintenance Services, LuxuryVox (The Gift Company) and other brands.

A 2019 SME100 Africa, 25under25 Awardee for professional service, an Alumnus of the U.S Exchange Program- Academy for Women Entrepreneurs.

1. Let’s meet you. Who is Ejiro

I am Ejiro Agambi, an enterprising Nigerian, committed to adding value and creating job opportunities.

My company is a market leader in the provision of detailed cleaning service for residential, commercial and industrial needs.

2. Your hobbies?

Singing, Reading & Graphic designing/ UX/UI

3. Mention three women who inspire you and why

The world is full of inspiring women to study and learn from. But, on a more personal level, I can attest that studying and learning from various great women in history has helped to shape who I am and becoming. They have informed the kind of leader I want to be as a CEO/as an individual as well as the kind of mother I want to be to my future children.

As asked, here are just three examples of the women who have made me the businesswoman and individual I am today.

(1) My mother (Dcns.Mrs.Evelyn Agambi)
She’s a teacher, leader and a business woman. I watched her influence her students, colleagues, women group members, customers and even her neigbours at her place of business simply by the way she carried herself, honour God, and with how hard she worked to solve and think through the problems of others.
She taught me, in this way, what it looks like to be a peoples’ person. How helping others solve problems requires thinking empathetically alongside them so as to truly understand what they’re going through and think about the problem from “their level.”
Thanks to her, I now know that being a real leader requires more than intelligence, ability, or even the capacity to inspire. It requires time, care, genuine concern and God’s grace .

Mrs Ibukun Blessing Awosika and Mrs Tara Fela Durotoye. They both have some ‘similarities’ role models worthy of emulation, they are an inspiration to thousands of women, young and old all around the world from them who have learnt how to effectively balance career, family and spirituality.

4. Your biggest fear?

Failure

5. When was JEOVIL GROUP birthed and what inspired you to start a cleaning company?

Jeovil Group was birthed few years ago. I notice details a lot and sometimes when I visit friends and relatives, I end up helping them to organize and clean their spaces, so I said to my self ‘why don’t I let other people know what it feels like to have an excellently cleaned space?’

6. As an award-winning entrepreneur with with a company that is a market leader in the provision of cleaning service, what has been the major challenge(s) so far?

Major challenges are finance, some contract staff ‘janitors’ disappointing at times, not meeting deadline, not being able to get the kind of high quality cleaning equipment I want but this has resulted to us birthing a Cleaning Equipment, Supply and Hygiene brand which will be launching soon.

7. You have divisions in Lagos, Abuja and most recently in Accra, how do you deal with the demands of operating in different areas and another country and what makes your brand unique?

By the grace of God, we’ve put in place proper structures to enable us handle operations in our different locations effectively. We are unique because our focus is EXCELLENCE and we do not deliver less. We are very detailed and I mean detailed to the core.

8. You are a graduate of Computer Science from Lagos State University. Any plans to venture into tech in the nearest future?

Definitely.

9. If given the chance to be the President of Nigeria for a day, what will you change?

Ohh… there’s a lot to change! From insecurity to electricity to the rules that govern businesses in Nigeria.

10. Luxury Vox is a gift company under JEOVIL GROUP alongside other brands with several awards to your credit, where do you see the group and your brands in the next five years?

I look forward to Jeovil being an household name across Africa and to provide more jobs in the next 5 years.

11. Favourite quote

My favorite quote is “ When you fail to plan , you plan to fail” there’s a lot to this quote, PREPARATION IS IMPORTANT.

12. What keeps you up at night?

(Giggles) I sleep at night.

13. If you were given the opportunity to address a group of girls five years younger than you, what will be your advice to them?

Don’t be too hard on your self, take things one step at a time, draw closer to God, have direction, have a picture of what you want in life, what you want to be.
Turn your goals into prayer requests, strive to develop your self physically, mentally, emotionally and academically. Grow without seeing failure as the end of the world, because failure is a stepping stone to success, I mean if you don’t fail sometimes how will you know what you’re not doing right? No one is perfect, we are bound to be failures sometimes and it’s okay but don’t dwell on it, glean every lesson you can from that experience, and move ahead. Lastly, remember to stay humble and consistent.

In Inspiration June 5, 2020 By Women of Rubies

#NotInMyChurch: Busola Dakolo is not Giving Up on the Fight for Justice

According to her, after the Police concluded their investigation, the report has been handed over to the Ministry of Justice in Abuja for onward prosecution of Biodun Fatoyinbo but there has been silence from the Ministry.

Busola also explained that a letter they wrote has gone unanswered, with stories of manipulation. But a woman resolute in her determination cannot be stopped. The letter below;

She says, “Instead, my lawyers and my family have heard about all manner of manipulation and foul play being attempted to stop the ministry from beginning prosecution immediately.
Or even to get the police report manipulated.”

Read her post below.

It is now officially one year after since I came out and told the most important story of my life up until this point. That when I was a teenager, Biodun Fatoyinbo violently raped me. It wasn’t just me. In the media, on social platforms and in private, women have been sharing stories of how this man either destroyed their lives or tried to.

A lot has happened in that time: and my heart is glad that consciousness continues to be raised about the great evil that sexual abuse is, and how widespread it is, and how much women are at risk, and why we need to ensure justice for those who find the strength to speak out.

Awareness is victory. But we are pushing to another even great victory: Justice.
When the courts last year decided to rule in favour of the man who assaulted me, people were crestfallen. I understood.
What they didn’t know however is that before we even began, we had been prepared for a long haul battle that may take years because the Nigerian legal system isn’t wired to help sexual abuse victims get justice.

Today, I have a major update. The police has concluded its investigation. And handed over its report to the Ministry of Justice in Abuja for onward prosecution of Biodun Fatoyinbo. He clearly has a case to answer.
But there has been silence from the ministry. Silence. A loud silence!

We have written a letter but for over a month we have no response.

Instead, my lawyers and my family have heard about all manner of manipulation and foul play being attempted to stop the ministry from beginning prosecution immediately.
Or even to get the police report manipulated.

My name is Busola Dakolo, a survivor of one of the most horrific acts -rape. My voice will not be shut down. My case will not be silenced. I am thankful to those in and out of the police, the ministry and the corridors of power who have called in solidarity and to reassure me that they are monitoring the ministry of justice and that this pressure to bury the case will not succeed.
I am updating the Nigerian public because you all made my story matter. You joined me to say enough is enough. With you, this has been an easier process.
#wearetired
#notinmychurch
#justice

Photosource: @busoladakolo

In Inspiration June 5, 2020 By Women of Rubies

A single mom recounts her story of patience and hardwork, now she owns her own home

Akilah Moore is a single mother who has been through life’s struggles alone, and has simply managed to pull her way up to growth. Ms Akilah who is from Washington DC, in the US, lost both parents at a young age,

She dropped out of high school after she got pregnant, and the father of the child left, leaving her with nobody to turn to.

“I dropped out of high school when I had my first child. The father didn’t stick around so I had to take care of my child by myself.

Now a Security Officer Howard University Middle School of Math & Science, she narrated her story which was shared in Unsung Heroes.

“I worked in every type of job just so I could provide. I worked at produce places inside of deep freezers, and I cleaned toilets. All of those jobs never lasted more than 5-6 months. It was frustrating, especially because I had to depend on the government. I had $300 a month to travel back and forth with 3 kids.”

“My parents died when I was young so I didn’t have anyone to fall back on. One day, I decided that enough is enough. It took me a lot of courage to go back to high school. I was embarrassed but my child kept me focused and motivated. It’s amazing how much my life has changed since I decided to take that extra step and get my education. I’m getting my life together and providing for my kids. I own a 5 bedroom house, my kids are doing well in school, and I’m healthy.”

With her inspirational story, it goes to show how hardwork and not giving up pulls off.

In Inspiration June 4, 2020 By Women of Rubies

“It was horrible” – Toolz Shares Her Child Loss Journey to Healing

Toolz, Tolulope Oniru Demuren has shared her pregnancy journey experience in the latest episode of Life Lessons with Betty Irabor. Like some women, Toolz has initially not had it together when she was trying for a baby.

She had earlier had a baby bump, which few months later was lost. This she openly admitted in an interview, and now she is sharing the experience of losing a child, the disbelief and agony she endured as well as her journey to healing.

Here are some excerpts from the session:

After her wedding she got pregnant, few months after she noticed she no movement but stillness in her.
She eventually travelled to the UK for proper hospital care, and a scan showed that her baby was too small and may not survive, she said, “I never once thought that the health of my child would be an issue,” more scans were conducted and the doctors tried what they could but a final scan showed the baby was no longer moving and she was told she’ll have to push the baby out.
She was given some medications to help push the baby out. The medications were given to her on Thursday and she was told to come back on Sunday. However, she went into labour on Saturday.

Watch the new episode below: directed by Ruyi Irabor and produced by Toyosi Etim-Effiong.

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