“My skin wants to cause me trouble and break out so I always have to be thinking about that.” -Alicia Keys
The Grammy award wining superstar, took time out to explain her skincare night routine on youtube. She has been makeup up free since 2016 and has a glowing complexion to show for it.
Alicia says drinking water is important.
Before she applies any products, Alicia fills up a large mason jar with water. “Water—it’s a secret, it sounds so simple,” she says. “It is important.” She sips her water, sometimes flavored with fresh fruit, through a metal straw as she creates a relaxing atmosphere with candles and palo santo incense. “I am a candle fanatic,” Alicia adds.
She deep cleans her skin.
Alicia uses face wipes to “get the day off.” It doesn’t have to be an exact product. She says you can also use hot water and a washcloth. That’s for the start. Next, she uses the Osmosis Beauty Deep Clean Detox Cleanser, which she describes as “really strong.” She adds “boom” for emphasis.
Next, she applies toner.
Alicia sprays a therapeutic spray toner, Liv by Knutek Klar Toner, all over her face. “This one is more therapeutic,” she explains. It contains tea tree oil and honey, and antifungal and antimicrobial properties to help combat breakouts. Then she uses her fingers on her face, and always in an upward motion to apply products. “I think the contact is really important,” she says.
She spot treats blemishes with smelly lotion.
You know, Alicia struggles with acne, too. “My skin wants to cause me trouble and break out so I always have to be thinking about that,” she explains. “We all struggle with keeping skin clear, and I am very familiar with that struggle. My favorite trick is this crazy thing called The Advanced Blemish Lotion with Sulfur.”
The downside: “It smells like a fart,” she says. To use it, she dips a cotton swab into the bottle, swirls it around, and dots it over her active breakouts. “They’re dope, they have a lot of good products,” Alicia added.
Then, she piles on the moisturizers.
Alicia starts with Scottish Fine Soaps’ Au Lait Body Butter to mask the sulfur smell of her acne spot treatment. “It smells unbelievable,” she says, applying it on her arms and neck.
For her face, Alicia uses a moisturizer from Epicuren and Rosebud Salve lip balm. Both she says are longtime faves. “Anything with honey in it, fire amazing,” she says as she smells the moisturizer.
She wraps up with aromatherapy, essential oils, and tea.
Self-care is also important to her steps. Alicia’s She sprays a Sacred Rose Water aromatherapy into the air around her, and massages an essential oil blend on her forehead, wrists, and neck. “It’s really about bringing out your intuition, bringing out your inner voice,” she says. “I’m trying to be the most in-tune, in-touch individual. So I like little things that just remind me to think about that.”
Alicia’s final step? A cup of tea. Her favorite of the moment is Earl Grey with almond milk creamer. Alicia says, “I make a mean cup of tea.”
Attorney Jehan Crump-Gibson and Ayanna Alcendor have joined forces to create the powerhouse law firm Great Lakes Legal Group PLLC in metro Detroit. The minority women-owned law firm was launched at the beginning of 2018, and will offer one-stop-shop service to a range of clients.
Attorney Jehan Crump-Gibson
Crump-Gibson comes with a plethora of experience, as she has been recognized three times by the Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine as a rising star. After earning dual bachelor’s degrees in political science and english from Michigan State University, Crump-Gibson then went on to earn her juris doctorate from Wayne State University Law School. Post law school, Crump-Gibson opened up her very own law firm, C&G Solutions, for a while before joining forces with Alcendor. She received the 2015 and 2016 Martindale Hubbell ® Client Distinction Award and was recognized as one of Michigan Chronicle’s ’40 under 40’. United States Senator Gary Peters appointed Crump-Gibson to the Michigan Senate Judicial Advisory Committee in 2017 and she was admitted to practice law in Michigan and before the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
Alcendor also comes with an abundance of experience as well. Having received her Juris doctorate degree from Western Michigan Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2013, Alcendor interned at C&G Solutions, Crump-Gibson’s law firm. She also interned at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan with Judge Mark A. Randon, the state appellate defender’s office, the Wayne County prosecutor’s office and a number of area boutique firms as well. At Ernst & Young, she served as a client servicing associate in the Detroit office. Alcendor also founded her own practice, Allied Legal Consulting, PLC., before teaming up with Crump-Gibson.
Rolling out Magazine had the opportunity to speak with these two dynamic women about the inspiration for launching their own firm in metro Detroit and as well as discuss the services that their new firm will specialize in, they also touched on the unique skillsets they collectively bring to the firm as a team.
What was the inspiration for launching a minority women-owned law firm?
JCG: You have to be the change you want to see. This is why we thought it was so important to start the firm. Minority women continue to be underrepresented in equity positions in law firms and the legal field as a whole. A minority-woman owned law firm like Great Lakes Legal Group is uniquely positioned to aid in the ongoing efforts to address this disparity. Minority women serving in such critical leadership roles are integral in diversifying the legal profession. In turn, this diversification has a direct impact on the communities we serve.
With these roles, we have a responsibility. As important as it is to command a seat at the table, you have to leave the door open to the room for those to come in behind you. We do this by continuing to feed the pipeline. Recruiting talented young women of color and providing opportunities for exposure to young women in firms’ aids in augmenting representation in the industry. We are fully committed to these efforts at Great Lakes.
What services does your firm specialize in?
AA: Probate and Estate Planning, Family Law, Criminal Law, General and Civil Mediation, Business and Commercial Matters, Governmental Affairs.
Tell us about your background and previous experience. Crump-Gibson, you previously had nine years of legal experience, and you also served as the president of the Wolverine Bar Association & the Wolverine Bar Foundation. How has your previous experience helped to prepare you for opening up your own firm?
JCG: I have been blessed with diverse experiences in the legal field and in the community that have unquestionably prepared me to take on the role as Managing Partner of the firm. I have had the great fortune of gaining critical experience in government, serving as staff attorney and deputy chief of staff for former Detroit city council member Saunteel Jenkins and as a policy analyst for former Detroit city council member Sheila Cockrel. During my law school tenure, I also clerked in-house at Comerica Bank’s corporate legal department and externed at the federal district court for the Honorable Arthur J. Tarnow. Garnering knowledge and skills from these roles, I practiced as a solo-practitioner for a number of years, representing clients in various courts at the state level and in federal court.
The Wolverine Bar Association was integral in cultivating my career, from my very first day as a law student at Wayne State. As soon as I got the opportunity, I began to involve myself with leadership roles, ultimately serving as president.
The most important takeaways from my legal experiences and my role with the Wolverine Bar were leadership, commitment and accountability. By its very nature, the role of a lawyer is a leader. Having ownership in your practice takes that role to the next level. It also requires an unwavering commitment and a strong sense of accountability, to your partners, your staff and most importantly, your clients.
Alcendor, your expertise is in criminal, family and probate matters, and you’re also a certified Michigan supreme court administrative office civil mediator. What are some specific instances about your past experience that have prepared you for opening your own firm?
AA: When I decided to become a lawyer, I wanted to gain experience and knowledge in as many areas as possible. To this end, I connected with seasoned attorneys practicing civil, family, probate, bankruptcy and criminal law. While in law school, I had the opportunity to clerk for a federal magistrate judge, and serve as a pro bono pro se bankruptcy consultant and expungement advocate. The legal field is ever-changing and more times than not, clients are being confronted with overlapping legal conflicts. The diversity of my experiences lends to my ability to effectively address the issues of our clients and pool resources to best meet their needs.
As a team, what are your unique skillsets that you collectively bring to the table?
AA: Steadfast commitment to ethics, strong communication skills, and knowledge of the law are essentials of any reputable law firm. Great Lakes Legal Group offers clients and the community at large not only these fundamentals, but also two partners that have the ambition, drive and commitment to excellence and client satisfaction. These are qualities that are far too often overlooked. GLLG offers a holistic approach to meeting client needs. We have the unique ability to offer a vast array of client services in-house. This law firm truly is a one-stop shop. We are passionate about the law and our clients.
Where can we find more information on your firm?
JCG: Our website is www.gllegalgroup.com. There, you will find detailed information about the owners’ backgrounds, the services we offer and the areas we serve. You can also sign up for our newsletter on the home page to stay connected with us. We are on social media as well: facebook.com/gllegalgroup, Instagram: @gllegalgroup and Twitter: @gllegalgroup Please be sure to connect with us, as we regularly share helpful legal tips and updates in the law.
Helen Williams made history in the United States in the 1950s when she became the first dark-skinned African-American fashion model to cross over into mainstream advertising.
Yet, it was the French who accepted her instead of the Americans who considered her to be “too dark.”
Williams would surmount the challenges that came with the color of her skin, rising to fame in Paris and New York in the late 1950s and early 1960s and paving way for other dark-skinned models.
Born in East Riverton, New Jersey in 1937, Williams studied dance, drama, and art before becoming a stylist at a New York photography studio.
There, her beauty caught the attention of Lena Horne and Sammy Davis Jr, who frequented the studio to do press shots. The two encouraged Williams, then 17, to take up fashion modeling.
And that was how she was able to break into a stereotyped industry like fashion in the 1950s, working with African-American magazines like Jet and Ebony.
But there was a problem – her dark skin color did not attract many industry folks in America, as non-white models were largely excluded from mainstream fashion. Even within the African-American modeling scene, ladies were expected to be light-skinned.
“I was too dark to be accepted,” Williams once recalled. Facing discrimination while trying to extend her career with other modeling houses, Williams moved to Paris in the 1960s, where she was embraced.
France had a different outlook on black beauty and soon enough, the African-American beauty was modeling for big fashion designers like Christian Dior and Jean Dessès.
“By the end of her tenure she was making a staggering $7,500 a year working part-time and had received three marriage proposals from her French admirers, one of whom kissed her feet and murmured, ‘I worship the ground you walk on, mademoiselle’,” writes arogundade.com
Williams later returned to America, hoping things had changed for models like her. But when she went searching for a new agent in New York City, she realized that there had not been any major change.
Told to wait two hours in the reception of one agency, she was later told that the agency already had a black model and she was not needed. Having had enough of the bias of the fashion industry, Williams took her case to the press.
Some influential media personalities took up her case, exposing the plight of black fashion models in the country and drumming home the need for change.
Eventually, the situation improved, especially for Williams, and she got booked for ads for major brands such as Loom Togs, Modess, and Budweiser.
Her rate also shot up to $100 an hour. Finally, the beautiful, talented and inspirational woman had broken the color barrier in the modeling industry. As more black models became more visible, cosmetic companies began doing a lot of research aimed at developing products for African-American women.
Retiring from modeling in 1970, Williams continued her career in fashion as a stylist. Her courage, however, paved the way for other black models like Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks, Duckie Thot, among others.
28 years old Ajia Monet has been a creative visionary her entire life. She decided to resign from her long time government employment with the United States Postal Service in 2015 to pursue her lifelong passion as an Interior Designer.
“A’Blige Interior Designs” is what she called it; founded in April of 2014.
The self-taught freelance designer has since been making big moves in the competitive industry doing so by her natural, creative talent. With no schooling or formal training, the designer was able to start her own company, and it has been a success ever since.
It took one argumentative conversation with her father, who is an entrepreneur in the restaurant industry, that helped her come to the realization that she should take that leap of faith and start own business. At that time, she was in the midst of waiting to be recruited by the United States Navy and was working for her father. She said she felt overworked and undervalued.
“I remember him saying to me when you get your own business, you can run your business how you want to run your business,” she said. “It was so funny to me because it was kind of like an aha moment for me because I never even considered it.
From that moment, the mother of two quit her job. She started putting together business plans to bring her vision to life.
“Everybody has always known that I was creative,” Monet added. “I always changed my room. My apartments were always nice, so when he said that to me, it gave me another perspective.”
The interior designer makes it clear that the journey of finding her passion wasn’t that smooth, though.
She tried pursuing different jobs before deciding that interior design was her passion. She was interested in becoming a paramedic when she was younger, she tried to join the Navy and she also went to real estate school in 2012. It wasn’t until after working for her father and the postal service, that she realized she didn’t want to sell houses, but instead, she loved seeing the interior of homes.
“It [interior design industry] was super new and foreign to people in my community because it always been like a luxury service,” she said, “I was like, what can I do differently. I wanted to offer affordable services to my people. The supply and demand worked and so many people were willing to patronize and support. The rest is history.”
During this time, Monet was contemplated pursuing a career design in school since she didn’t have any formal training. She knew creativity is from the inside though. She sought her father’s advice of whether she should do so or not since he was somebody she looked up to on how to run a business.
He told her that if she wanted to work for someone else, then going to school would be a great idea, but if she wanted to run her own business, then she shouldn’t waste time or money according to Blavity.
Then she took the leap of faith in starting the business without school. She knew she could hire and outsource people if she needed to.
“To be honest this year will be four years I have been in business,” Monet said. “I was looking back like ‘okay, I’ve officially graduated’. I couldn’t really do it any other way.”
Monet wants to make it clear that she is not degrading people who do go to school, but in those four years, she was able to learn through her experience, in the opposite way of those who go to school yet have no experience in their chosen field.
“They have the skills but they don’t have the experience,” she said. “At the end of four years, I was able to have both.”
During her journey, Monet pursued her business full-time, even though she still had bills to pay and really didn’t have support from others or her father during the time of her transition. But, her situation motivated her to work harder.
“For me, I felt like that was the push I needed to work harder to prove him (her father) wrong,” Monet said. “Not to say he didn’t believe in me, but what I saw, I didn’t feel the love or encouragement or support that most people need on this journey.”
Earlier on there were times where she had to take her two kids to work with her. At s a point, had to do their homework in the car because they returned home as late as 2 a.m.
She had to learn how to efficiently manage her money as well. She was driving a car that couldn’t fit all of her materials and, but her father was able to step in and help her purchase a truck.
Monet learned how to properly carry herself as a businesswoman. She did research online, read blogs and using Pinterest to help drive traffic to her business. In these circumstances of starting, most people would have quit.
“I had next to no budget when I started,” Monet said. “I wasn’t really able to show what I could really do. I had to work my way up and build that repertoire with people. I just had to immerse myself in it and I had to find the key ways to do things.”
With her experiences, the interior designer launched a Business Coaching Course for people in the interior design industry.
Monet believes people should still pursue a career using their natural talents even though they may be afraid to do so, even if they didn’t go to school.
“I feel like if God gave it to you use it,” Monet said. “You just have to believe and have faith in yourself. I hate to sound so spiritual but it all boils down to your state of mind. She wants entrepreneurs to know that it still takes time to perfect your craft, and along with it comes a lot of trial and error.
“There’s always room for improvement,” Monet said. “A good business is always trying to figure out the problem and coming up with a solution to it.” She learned the mindset of having patience and managing your emotions.
She has learned that business ownership is not a process of instant gratification, but to trust the process.
“People don’t see the hard work, the late nights and early mornings and the sacrifice,” Monet said. “They just see the pretty pictures on Instagram and they try to skip the process and not do it with integrity and not do it because they love it. They’re just trying to get where you are.”
Monet believes that one needs to get away from their comfort zone. They should at least try because you never know the outcome.
“I always tell people, God makes you uncomfortable when he wants you to grow,” she said. “I believe that. Being content is a mentality.”
“Just because this is my story and it worked for me, that doesn’t mean that what worked for you will be a better way,” said.
She just encourages any learning from her them to pray, focus and believe. According to her, if you can believe it you can achieve it.
“Try it first and if it doesn’t work out at least you said you tried,” she continued. “At least if it doesn’t work out, then you can try Plan B, and if Plan B doesn’t work go back to Plan A and just figure out how you’re going to refine it.”
This women are committed financial executors in their various leadership positions. Their top notch skills and vast experiences explains just how good and powerful they are.
1. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala –
She has served twice as former minister of finance and a coordinating minister of the economy.
A highly respected and influential global leader, economist and policymaker. She had consistently made Forbes’s 100 Most Powerful Women in the World and one of the Most Influential People in the World by TIME Magazine.
She has also held several key positions at the World Bank, including as Managing Director.
2. Arunma Oteh – Ecobank board member
Arunma Oteh has a 33-year career ranging from finance to banking and international development. Oteh was treasurer of the World Bank from 2015-2018, and the former Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Nigeria 2010-2015. She recently joined Oxford University as an academic scholar at St. Antony’s College and an executive-in-residence at SAID Business School. Ecobank also recently appointed her as a non executive board member.
3. Zainab Ahmed – Nigeria’s Minister of Finance
Zainab is an accountant by profession and became the Minister of Finance following the resignation of, Kemi Adeosun the then former minister last year. And also Minister for Budget and National Planning appointed on August 21, 2019 as the two ministries were brought under her as one, making her the de facto Minister of Economy. She was previously the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning.
In over 30 years of her career, she has served the in various high ranking positions.
4. Aishah Ahmad – Deputy Governor, CBN
Aishah Ahmad was appointed Deputy Governor at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) , she leads the sound promotion of financial system in Nigeria; as one of the principal objects of the Bank as specified within the CBN Act. She is a member of the Governing Board and Committee of Governors at the CBN and Chairman, Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC) – a not for profit organization.
Prior to her appointment, Aisha was the Executive Director, Retail Banking at Diamond Bank. Her experience cuts across top financial institutions in Nigeria including Zenith Bank, Stanbic IBTC and Diamond Bank.
5. Ibukun Awosika – Chairman, First Bank Plc
Ibukun Awosika is the current Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria Plc and the first women in such a position. As a reputable businesswoman, she is the CEO of The Chair Centre Group. The companies in the group include: The Chair Centre Limited, Sokoa Chair Centre Limited, Furniture Manufacturers Mart an so on.
She is a member of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), . Ibukun chairs a number of corporate and not-for-profit boards.
6. Toyin Sanni –
Toyin Sanni was the immediate past Group CEO of United Capital Plc and now founder and CEO of the Emerging Africa Capital Group, a Nigerian-based financial services provider.
She is a prominent Investment Banker, Previously she has been the CEO,UBA Trustees, CEO, UBA Global Investor Services,MD/CEO, Cornerstone Trustees & AGM at FBN Trustees, a part of the FBN Holdings group.
Toyin leads a multiple award winning group who provide advisory & capital raising solutions for infrastructure & development across Africa. She is also a public speaker and an author.
7. Sola David-Borha –
Sola David-Borha is the current Chief Executive, Africa Regions at Standard Bank Group, the former CEO of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc and the former CEO of Stanbic IBTC Bank.
She previously held executive roles which included acting managing director of IBTC Chartered Bank Plc and executive director of CIB (excluding South Africa).
She was described as one of the finest bankers of her generation by Former Chairman of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Atedo Peterside
Currently, she serves as the vice chairman of the board of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, and has held this position since 2015.
Abimbola Craig is up with some relationship advise for the unmarrieds though.
While addressing a fan who asked, “How do I communicate no sex before marriage to my boyfriend without sounding off?”. She shared her thoughts on the question, saying, “sex has to be communicated. There are no in-betweens. Nobody should pressure you into doing what you don’t want to do. If and when you decide to, you should communicate that to him as well but on your own terms.”
Sarah Sanni is an inspiring young woman, a computer science graduate who quitted her job to chase her dreams.
“I wasn’t happy at my job, so I resigned thinking I needed a change of organization but in the process of applying to other companies and going for interviews- one day, I painted my room and my friend saw it and wanted something for her room. After designing hers, she posted it online and a couple of her friends saw it and requested wall paintings too. I did it and got paid even though it was peanut at the time but I felt overwhelming happiness and that was when I knew that this was what I wanted to do.”
She was born in the northern part of the country, grew partly in Ibadan before moving to Lagos much later. Her family are currently in support of her career,
“My mom was in total support from day one. My dad got into it after one or two of his friends called him from abroad that they’ve seen his daughter’s works at one place or the other. Some other family members did not think it was a viable business but everyone just went along with the dream and now it’s all full time support from everyone”
Her inspiration came from the northern tattoo used to adorn brides called Laali. While growing up as a child, she admired these designs and draw them on paper.. The Laali is a temporary henna tattoo used to adorn brides in the Northern part of Nigeria, particularly popular in the Hausa and Fulani ethnic groups across West Africa.
She went on from Laali sketching to drawing cartoon characters, making comic books ancient artworks from the Old Bini Kingdom, as her appetite for drawing and art
To upgrade her skills, she got some books on arts. Now her core inspiration comes from anything around her,such as beautiful people, plants, lines and geometry, abstract patterns and cartoon characters for kids (Ben 10, Disney Princesses, Dora, Angry Birds, etc.).
She has worked with some notable brands and celebrity like, the Ice Cream, Molfix, Toke Makinwa and others.
“I would advice an artist who is just starting to be ready to work hard, to be strong emotionally because there could be some setbacks, to be persistent and consistent because it’s also very easy to give up. To be prayerful (I know they say Nigerians are too religious but prayer helps and it works). Lastly, to be passionate about the art – except, of course, it’s a hobby then you don’t have to take it too seriously” she advised.
Someone once said women are the best multi-taskers, that is exactly what Mosopefoluwa represents, a woman who can manage and joggle more than one task and excel in all.
The experienced event planner is the Creative Director at Mode Seven Events and doubles as the Head Chef at Iyameto’s kitchen, a catering company she founded about 3 years ago. She has a diploma in Mass Communication from Olabisi Onabanjo University. Ago Iwoye. Lagos & also a basic presentation certificate from Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria. Lagos.
She has worked as a co-host on two different shows on radio and also worked as a production manager at a movie production company. Mosopefoluwa is often called a philanthropist & has volunteered for a number of organisations which include Mich Consulting, Inspiro Consulting, The Pamilerin Company, Christmas on The Streetz, an organisation that caters for the less privileged, specifically at Christmas and many more.
She is the event planner for the Australian Education Exhibition annual event where her company provides 50 stand assistants for delegates yearly and also the event planner for BTDT Hub, Lagos and coordinates the annual Leadership Legendary Lessons and the masterclasses. She currently serves as the service coordinator at her church and supervises all departments at church amongst many other events.
She has a genuine interest in young men and women who are interested in business & generally need a push in life to start up new things & move from where they are to where they want to and she has been privileged to speak with and inspire undergraduates, graduates and entrepreneurs across Nigeria.
In her words; “The world may not accept you immediately, but be consistent”.
She shares her inspiring story with Esther Ijewere in this interview.
Childhood Influence
Yes, my childhood influenced me. However, I had no idea I’d be doing this. I never learnt how to cook from any catering service, but my mum is a professional caterer and I’ve practically watched her cook every other day. She had also worked at a hotel, in charge of hospitality, worked at some other, organisations as a caterer. I’d visit her at work during school breaks.
Inspiration behind “Iyameto”
I had a conversation with an older friend a few years ago & they talked about not being able to eat as much as they needed to. I mentioned I could make soups for them regularly that they’d stock up in their refrigerator & pick up whenever they needed to eat. I made the first set of soups, they picked up & they were impressed. So, I thought “why not make this into a business for busy parents, bachelors& more?”
Being a certified event planner and mass communicator but pitching my tent catering services
I picked interest in catering because I observed a pattern during events, especially parties at the caterer’s stand & I wanted to make a change.
Reception of my widely delivered local snacks
The reception has been fantastic & gets me super excited every single time! The catering business started less than 5 years ago but it feels like I’ve been in it for so long. People easily relate with the business & most importantly are amazed by business name. The “widely delivered local snacks” has received fabulous reception & folks recommend us over & over again after they’ve had a feel of it. Someone once mentioned on social media that i (Iyameto’s kitchen) invented it. That felt good even though I didn’t invent it. It shows I’m doing it right!
My multiple certification and personal growth
It has given me more experience & also help me feel more confident that I can fit into different fields if and when I find myself there. It also makes me more versatile & it has been what I had interest in from childhood, so I intentionally went a step further to train for them. It is also what I thought I’d be practicing at the moment & I like doing.
Other projects and activities
I consult for start ups, I speak at seminars and trainings package, I also help busy mums & families shop for groceries, some monthly, some quarterly. I volunteer for NGO’s as often as I have the opportunity to. I package & sell food items to folks within & outside the country.
Challenges of being a Caterer
Deliveries! Deliveries!! Deliveries!!!! The dispatch (courier) companies. Logistics & transportation is basically one of the major challenges. Managing humans is also not as easy but we keep building & getting better at it.
Unexpected increase in price of goods as is also one. In a case where you have given cost to your customers/clients, you meet a different price at the local market but you have to deliver anyway!
My community service and it’s impact
Christmas On the Streetz (an annual giveaway/hangout) I discovered in 2018 on Twitter. Pamilerin foundation, Inspiro consulting & a few others I had volunteered for over the years. Giving to needy individuals & reminding myself that everyone out there needs a lifting at some point in life. Basically trusting myself to do better and do more & believing that others can have Hope based on how I inspire them to do more & be better people, generally!
Being a Woman of Rubies
I am exceptional! I am hardworking! I am a humanitarian! I am a philanthropist! I have failed many times but I never give up! I didn’t have it all rosy growing up but I am becoming! I treat everyone I meet well & I do not look down on anyone! I am focused! I make the best of every situation I find myself!
To young women who want to go into catering business
To every young woman out there who aspires to go into the catering business! Believe in yourself, you can do it if you really want to! Start from where you are! Build up! Don’t expect the world to accept you the first day you kick off!! Also, be sure you can handle all that comes with it. Some days are high, some days are low! Take feedback from those who patronize you or eat freely from you & be a better caterer! Sometimes, cook for people around you & ask that they rate your cooking, the real but firm ones! Be confident! The “world” may not accept you immediately but be persistent! I’d also like to say, be sure you have passion for it before you go into it! Don’t give up when the results don’t look like it. Be consistent!!!
Chioma Favour Uzoma is a fifth year Pharmacy student of the University of Benin. She is the first of three girls.
She is passionate about the future of Nigeria and improving its health sector which made her start a Health and Wellness website (MedBlogNigeria) where she is a content creator. She advocates for healthy living through her organization named The Medvocacy Initiative Africa (TMI Africa).
She is an entrepreneur at Dainty Cakes and Event. She is also a fashion and beauty enthusiast.
Let’s meet you. Who is Chioma?
Chioma is a fifth year pharmacy student of the University of Benin, the first of three girls. I am a Christian, content creator at MedblogNigeria, an entrepreneur at Dainty Cakes and Event, Founder TMI Africa @t.m.i_africa and Member of JCI.
Made by chioma
I am very passionate about the future of Nigeria, everything that goes on wrongly in this country affects me in a very strange way and I intend to contribute to scalable and sustainable impact in this nation, and in Africa at large.
Who and what inspires you?
The persons who inspire me the most are young Nigerian women who are doing exploits in their various fields. The likes of Toby Lordwilliams,founder of girlhub Africa, Dr Chioma,Cassie Akide, PharmOnyekachi etc., and older women who have conquered their spheres such as Mrs Ibukun Awosika, Bukky George and of course my Mum, She inspires me a lot.
I love these women so much, and whenever I feel discouraged, I simply look at their pages on Instagram, see what they are up to and sincerely, I’m pumped back up.
The desire to be successful in life also drives me.
One accessory you can’t leave home without?
My small bag of course.
Because I get to put all my tiny stuffs in it.
What is your biggest fear?
This Girl is fearless.
I believe God has not given me the Spirit of fear and this has kept me going.
You own a Health and wellness website (MedBlogNigeria) with pages on Instagram and Facebook (Medblog_ng) where you help inform people’s health decisions. What prompted you to start this? And what do you plan to do differently in the health sector through your website and other platforms?
Well, I actually started them because I love writing and I love searching for information (My friends literally ask me for details to any gist circulating online and I always have the details). I have been writing since my secondary school days and it has become part of me. Also, being a Pharmacy student, people naturally assume you know the answers to all their health problems, so they bombard you with questions.
It was only natural for me to incorporate my writing skills which is also a passion for me into my profession, hence the birth of MedBlogNigeria.
I also found it as a way to bridge the communication gap between health personnels and the general public. Now you don’t have to go to a Pharmacy or a Hospital to get certain health information, just turn on your data, ask a question, drop a comment and your questions are answered. We simply inform the health decisions of the general public which I think is a great idea.
Your best quote?
Do it afraid, do it unsure, do it uncertain but do it anyway!
You are a versatile young lady with so many things on your hands. You are also an entrepreneur who bakes and sells cakes also. How do you balance the demands of all of these with your academics?*
The truth is, it is not an easy task but I am someone who is very passionate about anything I do. Passion drives any human.
I’ve also learnt to manage my time, to do the right things at the right time, maximize my holidays, have the right support system and these have helped me thus far.
Which city/ country will you love to visit soonest?
That would be Paris. I studied French all through my six years in secondary school, I would love to practice my French speaking skills.
If given the chance to be the President of Nigeria for a day, what will you change?
Inasmuch as I think a day is quite too short to make any meaningful changes in a country like Nigeria, I guess I will quickly rewrite the national budget and present a more inclusive one where the basic needs of every Nigerian is prioritized, I would allocate more funds to the health sector which I think is at a pathetic state currently.
As a pharmacy student, you advocate for healthy living for individuals through an organization you run “The Medvocacy Initiative for Africa (TMI Africa).” Can you shed more light on TMI Africa? Its activities, aims and achievements so far?
TMI Africa is an organization of young medical advocates and volunteers. We encourage youths especially those who are medically inclined to actively promote health within their immediate environment and to the general public.
We engage in online health campaigns, dissemination of health information, health outreaches in schools through collaborations and partnerships.
Although we are just starting out, we engaged fully and effectively in the cervical cancer campaign online and it was very helpful to many as a lot of people became aware of the disease and tips for prevention.
We hope to achieve more in coming months.
What was growing up in a Nigerian home like and how did it contribute to the path you have chosen?
(Laughs) I think we all know what growing in a Nigerian home is like.
My home was a special case because my parents were really strict on my sisters and i due to fact that we were girls, they didn’t want us to “spoil.”
But we thank God because it is part of what has made me the woman I am today and I’m grateful.
Where do you see yourself/your brand in the next 5 years?
I am passionate about entrepreneurship because I believe that every economy that we admire has a viable private sector to boast of. If we are going to see sustainable changes in the Nigerian economy, the private sector has a huge role to play and I want to be at the forefront of that in the health and beauty space.
If you were given the opportunity to address a group of girls five years younger than you, what will be your advice to them?
I would advice them to maximise their social media. I say this everyday that this social media thing we see is way under utilised.
My social media is one of my biggest influences. I follow smart, intelligent, purpose driven individuals who inform my everyday life. My Instagram account is really boring to an average youth because i follow more content than glam.
I would advice them to Cherish their relationship with God because ,he is the ultimate giver of Life, wisdom and prosperity.
Lastly, I will advise them to be focused. Most of the things we care so much about currently are so irrelevant. Focus on things that matter to your future.
Thanks alot, Rubygirls for this interview, I’m truly honored!
