About me
I was born and raised in the Netherlands to Nigerian parents. I attended the IBMYP program in the Netherlands before moving to the United States at age 16, where I completed high school via the IBDP program. I returned to my country of birth when I was 19 to obtain my Bachelor's Degree in International Bachelor Economics and Business Economics from Erasmus University Rotterdam and then to Denmark for my Master's Degree in Sports and Event Management, Economics and Business Administration.
It was during my Master's studies, and after reading Jason Saul's great book "The End of Fundraising: How to Raise More by Selling Your Impact", that I discovered my interest in economic empowerment and community development. These areas happened to be the perfect mixture between my interests and my academic expertise, which is why I decided to work in the nonprofit sector.
Languages
English: Mother Tongue
Dutch: Mother Tongue
Spanish: Fluent
Danish: Elementary proficiency
Education
Master's Degree MSc Economics and Business Administration — Sports and Event Management @ University of Southern Denmark, Campus Esbjerg.
Bachelor's Degree BSc International Bachelor Economics and Business Economics @ Erasmus University Rotterdam. Graduated Summa Cum Laude.
Google Data Analytics Case Study — Click here and here to view my case study presentation for the Google Data Analytics Certificate.
Experience
Board Member & Chair of Finance Committee
Board member of the YMCA of North Central Ohio since January 2020.
Board member of Idea Works since March 2022.
Chair of Finance Committee (Idea Works): August 2022-November 2023.
Research & Funding Manager at C-Harris Development Consultants (07/2022 - Present)
I’m responsible for making reports and doing research for the Community Park for All project at Sterkel Park (Mansfield) and the YMCA’s Sports Complex. The fundraising goal for Sterkel Park is $5.4million and $22 million for the YMCA Sports Complex. Raised $8 million of the $22 million so far.
Chief Operating Officer & Co-Founder of Demeter's Developments LLC (12/2020 - Present)
I'm the Chief Operating Officer (COO) & Co-founder of Demeter's Developments LLC, a real estate development company that I run together with my wife.
Our mission is to enable low-income households to build wealth through homeownership and financial literacy; increase the supply of affordable housing in Richland County; develop residential housing in downtown Mansfield.
Research & Development Coordinator at The North End Community Improvement Collaborative (11/2018 - 03/2021)
After a year of being an AmeriCorps VISTA at NECIC, I transitioned into the role of Research and Development Coordinator.
I was responsible for researching innovative approaches, identifying best practices, and developing methods to improve the overall quality of our program and fiscal performance. I also taught the Microbusiness Development Course and was a Certified Business Advisor (CBA).
AmeriCorps VISTA at The North End Community Improvement Collaborative (11/2017 - 11/2018)
This experience was, of course, the inspiration for the book I wrote, so make sure to buy a copy of it!
Writer & Podcast Host at Black & White & Read All Over (01/2014 - Present)
I write articles for the "Black & White & Read All Over" website (BWRAO) about all things related to Juventus FC. I'm also a podcast host for the Old Lady Speaks Podcast. I started writing regular posts in 2016 but wrote various guest posts in 2014.
My biggest contribution is my monthly column called "Monthly Juventus Thoughts". In 2017, our blog received over 3 million page views.