Projects
I love to relax, to spend time by myself getting lost in my own thoughts. Yet at the same time, I have come to the realization that too much free time on my hands gets me anxious , I start to feel as though I am not doing enough, or need to push myself to get something done. The various projects I have engaged in have been ways in which I have found sanity especially when the whole world was struck with the COVID-19 pandemic. I found sanity in having a balance between keeping myself busy with projects that I love to work on, yet at the same time not over working myself and having time to take care of my own mental health. All these projects are representations of who I am, and different aspects of life that I enjoy channeling my energy towards.
Parachute Media
Social Media Manger
Parachute Media is an inclusive media brand that creates culturally relevant content and experiences, for and by Gen Z women of color, to build a lasting community around shared goals and identities. With Gen Z currently being the most ethically diverse generation in America, Parachute aspires to create content, products, and experiences that center the narratives of womxn of color, while catering to their lifestyles.
​
My involvement with Parachute began before there was even a clear explanation as to what Parachute would become. The CEO and Founder, Ochuko Akpovbovbo, was one of the very first friends I made upon my move to Portland, Oregon in 2017. We bonded over shared experiences of growing up in Nigeria, as well as shared struggles that we encountered as we began our new lives in Portland, Oregon. Ochuko began talking about Parachute soon after we both got selected to attend a life changing experience put together by one of our mentors, Zanele Mutepha Rhone. This event was called "Change Makers", and was a part of Zanele's platform, "Here To Stay". We were blessed with the presence of women who were leaders in their fields, and had built their seats at significant tables. Hearing these women share their stories and experiences, certainly left a lasting impact on our lives.
As Ochuko began talking about Parachute, I felt an instant connection to the brand. Despite not having a clear direction for Parachute, the fact that I knew we were going in a direction that would impact women like Ochuko and myself, I was sold. It has been an amazing journey so far working not only with Ochuko, but also with over 20 other brilliant wxmen of color who have joined the team along the way.
​​
*Click on my resume to read about my position at Parachute.*
ShortandTasty
Founder
The act of cooking is something I have always been drawn to. Growing up, I always enjoyed spending my evenings either watching cooking shows such as Diners, Drive-ins and Dives with my mom, or spending hours in the kitchen narrating my day to my aunties as they prepared dinner. I am often times asked how I learned to cook, this is a question I had a hard time answering for a while. Cooking was always present in my life, and because of this it was something I subconsciously picked up along the way. The more I cook, the more I enjoy it, and the more I want to try different tricks and recipes. I can easily say that cooking is certainly one of my deeply rooted passions.
​
ShortandTasty is an Instagram account created primarily to highlight West African/West African inspired cuisine. Over the past three years of my stay in Portland, Oregon. I quickly came to the realization that despite how much of a food city Portland has grown to become, with numbers of food carts all across the city. The West African food scene seemed to remain fairly untapped, and was certainly lacking.
​
Through ShrotandTasty, I have been able to find different ways of showcasing West African cuisine not only by capturing aesthetically pleasing pictures, but also by recording videos that guide individuals in the process of recreating mouthwatering West African dishes. I have made a conscience effort to pay attention to detail as I record videos and capture images of the food I cook. Through my journey with ShortandTasty, I have learned the importance of not only branding, but also that of presentation. I have come to realize how much of a difference these two aspects can make on your audience. An aesthetically pleasing page quickly captures the attention of multiple consumers, drawing in curiosity from all aspects.
