Hi I’m Adaora, and I’m a Bright Light, Dreamterpreter, and Purpose Driver. I am a spirit in a bottle (human container). I love to introduce myself this way, because these are identities that are descriptive of who I am, and the work that I do.
Being a Bright Light means that I bring light into the hearts of people whose lives intersect with mine. I re-main plugged into a higher energy source, and when people interact with me, they want to know more about my light source – God. I call myself a dreamterpreter because I believe that one of my gifts is the ability to interprete the dreams of others – not the dreams you have when you’re asleep, but your God given mission in this world.
I help people take decisive action to get their best work out into the world. I’m passionate about elevating human consciousness, and helping people discover, accept, and use their gifts in a purpose centric way – this is why I call myself a purpose driver.
I truly believe that people are the bedrock of society, and by helping them find clarity, while simultaneously inspiring and empowering them, to become the best version of them-selves, we will see a ripple effect of love, peace, innovation, and growth across the world. This is where my mission lies.
My professional background spans across various industries. I’ve been a librarian, a care worker, a credit analyst, project manager, producer, digital marketer, restaurant manag-er, corporate communications manager, magazine editor, content developer, talent manager, trainer, brand developer, and more.
At the age of 21, I started off working at Citigroup, USA where I was a credit analyst re-ceiving awards for organizational efficiency, and team spirit. I moved to Nigeria, where I worked in media and entertainment – first as the project manager for Fremantle Li-censed TV shows, Nigerian Idol and Nigeria’s Got Talent, where I managed the busi-ness, brand, and production of the shows.
I also worked simultaneously as a digital con-sultant on X Factor Nigeria. I was the corporate communications manager for one of Africa’s leading sports marketing agency, OSMI, during the 2010 World Cup managing all communications on the broadcast rights for Nigeria. OSMI was also a broadcast mar-keting license owner for the UEFA Champions Leagues, UEFA Europa League, FA Premier League, La Liga, and Bundesliga.
After working in the sports and media space, I moved on to work as a consultant han-dling content development and management for the UNWTO Conference, Nigeria Centenary Awards, Democracy Day, and International Conference on Peace & Security.
Since then, I have been a brand developer working on projects with several multina-tional companies, SME’s, and individuals.
Some of these brands include: Google, Guin-ness, Johnny Walker, Microsoft, Pernod Ricard, FSDH, Union Bank, FCMB, TWE Global, Pepsi Co, Tobi Bakre, Godwin Strings, Osa Seven, Denola Grey amongst others
Aside from my academic and professional work, I have a super-passion for community development and paying forward with gratitude for the blessings that I have received in my life. For 12 months, I worked as a care giver with Volunteers of America, where I took care of a group of 6 patients living with Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.
In 2009, I was part of the team that co-ordinated the Athletes in Diaspora Community Interventions project, a foundation led by NFL players of Nigerian descent giving back to the community through football camps for teenagers, medical drives, and thought leadership sessions. I also coordinated the fundraising, and building of self-sufficient toilets in a remote village in the Epe area of Lagos state, Nigeria.
In 2015, I founded Socially Africa, a foundation that gives back to the community through several initiatives. I started Socially Africa to serve as inspiration to the next generation watching what we do, and how we impact our world, beyond chasing the next job, or working to build our personal pillars. My cofounders and I, invested funds from our businesses into community development projects.
Over the past few years, we have executed our forerunning initiative, Art For A Cause in 16 schools across Nige-ria, impacting over 15,000 kids. We have also hosted multiple food drives, run code classes, and given out thousands of Love boxes. We also work with the American Inter-national School, as their service learning and advocacy partner.
One of my philosophies is the importance of living a purpose driven life, and using as many of my gifts as possible. As a result, I find several mediums to express my purpose. Yes, I have many creative expressions, but they all have a thread of purpose that runs through, or what I like to call my “philosophical heartbeat”.
I’m a visual artist that draws monochrome doodles, and designs brand centric material. I’m also a photographer who loves to capture the beauty of Gods creation in the world. I’m a poet, and rapper with a publicly launched EP and music videos.
I love to write, and so I share thoughts via my newsletter #LuminasThots, and via my social media community. I also co-produced and acted in “Trut
At the age of 16, I represented Nigeria at the Global Young Leaders Conference in New York, and Washington DC, USA. In university, I was nominated Outstanding Freshman at NKU, Outstanding Sophomore at NKU, and Outstanding Junior at NKU.
I was also invited to the National Scholars Honor Society, and Entrepreneurship Institute Honors Committee. I was the president of the African Students Union, Vice Presi-dent/Social Chair of the International Students Union, and Vice President of the Associ-ation Of African Charities. I was a recipient of “The Spirit Of Entrepreneurship” Schol-arship by The Castellini Foundation.
In 2017, I was mentioned in Entrepreneur Magazine’s “11 Africans that are changing the business landscape in Africa.” I’m a recipient of the Royal Leadership Award by His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi (Ooni of Ife). I’m a Future Awards Af-rica Nominee for “Entrepreneur Of The Year” and “Prize For Media Enterprise” cate-gory. In 2017, I represented Nigerias creative industry on a panel with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari. In 2019, I was awarded “Most In-spiring Woman” at the Her Network Woman of the Year Awards. I have been featured among Nigeria’s Under 40 CEO’s, and Top 30 Under 30.
