In today’s episode, I speak to Ijeoma Okoli, one of the founders of Umu Igbo Unite, UIU. This was such a warm interview and I found Ijeoma to be a woman after my own heart. She has such a desire to make a positive impact and this shone through during our chat.

Umu Igbo Unite (UIU), was founded in 2005 in Atlanta, Georgia. The organization was founded to address the lack of a structured network that catered to the specific cultural, professional, and social needs of first-generation Igbo Americans and the greater Diaspora. Since its inception, UIU has grown to over 5,000 members nationwide with 13 active chapters: Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, DMV, Boston, Tristate (NY, NJ, CT), Detroit, Los Angeles, Cincinnati, Twin Cities, Bay Area, Austin, and Miami.

UIU now operates five arms:

1. The Convention
2. The Missions Arm which provides scholarships to immigrants
3. UIU Tourism, which organizes and leads guided tours to Eastern Nigeria
4. UIU Connect – The Professional Arm for Business Networking and Career Opportunities
5. UIU Igbo 101 – The language program

Ijeoma tells us more about the organization and the impact that it is having in Nigeria and abroad.

In addition, we discuss the books she has written, including the children’s book she co-wrote called Ije The world traveler. She also hosts the Youtube channel of the same name.

One thing Ijeoma said during our chat really stuck with me – She said: “Start with somebody, somehow and we can start to make a difference.”

To learn more visit the website www.umuigbounite.com

This year's convention will take place August 6 - August 9, 2020.

Follow UIU on Instagram with the handle @umuigbounite

>>>Subscribe on SPOTIFY | APPLE PODCASTS | STITCHER | GOOGLE PLAY