Episode 24: Chidiogo Akunyili-Parr | Listen To Your Truth
1 hour 3 minutes
Chidiogo’s philosophy is founded on the African humanist concept of Ubuntu — “I am because we are” — upholding and celebrating our shared humanity.
Chidiogo Akunyili-Parr is a writer, speaker, storyteller, and movement builder who is impacting global narrative based on her belief and championship of the power of people to change the world. She is the Founder of She ROARS; the Chief Community & Communications officer at Ubuntu Foundation, a World Economic Forum Global Leadership Fellow, a fellow at the Harambe Entrepreneur Alliance; An Atlantic Dialogue Emerging Leader, and an Associate Fellow of Nigerian Leadership Initiative.
Chidiogo holds a B.A. International Relations & Political Science, UPenn & Sciences Po Paris; an M.A. International Relations & Economics, SAIS Johns Hopkins; and has completed both the Executive Leadership Program and a Master in Global Leadership, at the World Economic Forum.
Her upcoming book is her first, and it chronicles the life of her late mother, Dora Nkem Akunyili. 'I am Because We Are: An African Mother's Fight for the Soul of a Nation' illuminates the role of kinship, family, and the individual's place in society while revealing a life of courage, how community shaped it, and the web of humanity that binds us all. Chidiogo’s mother, Dora, was a professor and served as the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control in Nigeria. From 2008-2010 she was also the Nigerian Minister of Information and Communications. In this episode, we dig into Chidiogo’s writing experience, including how she gained the insight and the courage to leave an upward trending career in international and community development to follow her truth and tell her mother’s story.
Chidiogo has been recognized for her outstanding contributions by several groups, including ‘100 most inspiring women in Nigeria’ by The Guardian; ’100 most influential Young Africans’ by Africa Youth Awards; ‘100 most Influential Nigerians’ by Avance Media. She has also been recognized as the ‘Young Professional of the Year’ by Future Awards Africa. Chidiogo has over 15 years of professional experience in community building, business development, intercultural dialogue, and strategy management consulting in her work. She has lived and worked in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, North America, and Europe and speaks seven languages, including Chinese, English, French, German, Igbo, Italian, and Spanish. Her wide range of experiences in different cultures and languages have proven invaluable tools that have helped her bridge lives, people, and global realities.
Throughout our discussion, Chidiogo reminds us of the power of listening to our truth, the importance of empowering others, and how interconnected we all are through the web of humanity.
Prepare to be inspired in this discussion with Chidiogo Akunyili-Parr.
To learn more about Chidiogo check out her website Chidiogo.com, follow her on Twitter @Chidiogotweets or Instagram chidiogo.akunyili. AND pre-order her book, I am Because We Are: An African Mother's Fight for the Soul of a Nation, here.
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or your favourite podcast platform.