Coming to Berkeley was nothing short of a miracle for this young girl from Amuzu, Ubakala, in Umuahia South LGA of Abia State. It’s a chapter of my life I will forever be grateful for, a testament to how God transforms scars into stories of glory. If you know my journey, you might understand why my heart overflows with praise.
Armed with these core values, I set my sail:
- Impact: To live a life that positively influences others, leaving people, communities, and systems better than I found them.
- Empowerment: To uplift and equip others, especially women, with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities they need to thrive and realize their potential.
- Excellence: To approach every endeavor with intentionality, striving to achieve the highest standards in my work, relationships, and personal growth.
- Service: To dedicate time and resources to helping others, contributing to causes bigger than myself.
- Resilience: To rise above challenges with courage and perseverance, using every setback as a stepping stone toward growth.
2023: A Year of New Beginnings and Bold Steps
August 2023 marked the start of a new chapter as I arrived in the United States, stepping into a world of possibilities at UC Berkeley. By September, I had already won the EGAL Pitch Competition, presenting my vision for empowering women in Africa. October deepened my journey when I got selected as a Fellow for the Digital Transformation for Development Fellowship, providing resources to explore how technology drives meaningful change in healthcare especially with low and scarce resources.
November brought even more milestones. Winning the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Entrepreneurship Pitch validated the work and ideas I have dedicated myself to prior to coming here while refining my thoughts and creating a vision for the future. Presenting at the DevEng Showcase allowed me to spotlight my efforts in empowering African women through technology and digital skills.
December was an unforgettable whirlwind. I traveled to five U.S. states—Texas, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and Minnesota—soaking in new cultures and environments. I also attended my first live basketball game in Texas, a unique experience that left me buzzing with excitement.
2024: A Year of Faith, Family, and Fulfillment
With the theme “The Audacity of Faith,” I embraced 2024 with boldness and intentionality. January brought a pivotal moment as I secured my son’s DS-2019 on January 5th and his U.S. visa on January 30th, laying the groundwork for us to reunite. The timeframe was a miracle for me as it was all I ever wanted at that time.
February was a month of joy and milestones. In February, I traveled back to Nigeria to reunite with my son after months apart. Immediately I landed, I saw an email that I won the Davis for Peace Grant, which fueled my impactful work. By the end of February, we were back in the U.S. together.
March brought a special celebration: my 31st birthday on March 3rd, made all the more meaningful with my son by my side and a unique surprise celebration hosted by my friends. In April, I moved my son to the Bay Area together, beginning our life together.
May marked the completion of my spring semester, earning all As—a reflection of dedication and focus. I also stepped into a new role as the Health Innovation Coordinator at the Berkeley School of Public Health, advancing my passion for healthcare transformation. Additionally, I received the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Summer Grant to support my ongoing work.
The summer of 2024 was a season of action and impact. I launched the Yatara Rucha Bootcamp in Anambra State, Nigeria, empowering young men with essential digital skills. Returning to Nigeria in July, I successfully completed the bootcamp in August.
As August came to a close, I began my final semester at UC Berkeley, determined to finish strong.
December 2024: A Culmination of Hard Work and Faith
Graduating in December was a dream fulfilled. With perfect grades and the honor of being selected as the Student Speaker for my cohort, the moment was a reflection of perseverance and grace. My story reached media outlets across Africa, allowing me to inspire others with my journey.
The year closed with gratitude. It wasn’t just about doing more—it was about doing better. Better impact, better choices, and better alignment with my values.
Reflections and Lessons Learned
For years, I was driven by an insatiable need to achieve more, always chasing the next milestone. But this journey taught me a valuable lesson: it’s not about doing more; it’s about doing better. It’s about creating meaningful impact, making intentional choices, and aligning with your core values. Whether my work scales globally or stays local, I am committed to making every step count.
2025: A Season of Reaping
The foundation has been laid, and the seeds have been sown. As I step into 2025, I see it as my reaping season—a time for greater impact, deeper fulfillment, and more meaningful strides.
This journey, though costly, has been worth every sacrifice. It’s a testimony of faith, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence. From Amuzu to Berkeley, the story is only just beginning.
