TribesAndHistory: Let’s start with introductions. What’s your name, and how would you like to be addressed?

Womiye: My name is Womiye, and you can call me just that!

TribesAndHistory: Great! How can our readers connect with you?

Womiye: Through my LinkedIn and my website.

TribesAndHistory: Where are you from?

Womiye: I’m from Nigeria.

TribesAndHistory: What do you do?

Womiye: Oh, I currently work as a facilitator—I facilitate programs, discussions, and keynote speeches. I also work at a nonprofit in Ontario. Beyond that, I’ve coined myself as a ‘historical traveler,’ which is the heart of my business.

TribesAndHistory: That sounds fascinating! What inspired you to become a historical traveler and pursue this business?

Womiye: I’ve always loved traveling—just for the sake of discovery. I love experiencing new places, meeting new people, and learning about different cultures.

In 2022, during one of my travels, I stumbled upon a piece of history in Lagos that I had no idea existed. That was my first real deep dive into Nigeria’s history with the transatlantic slave trade. I recorded a video about it, not expecting much, but it took off—thousands of views, so many questions from people, and even more questions from myself. I was upset about what I had learned, and I realized that many stories like this were hidden.

So I decided to shed light on lesser-known narratives because history isn’t just about the past—it shapes our present and future. My goal is to ensure these stories are preserved, understood, and appreciated.

TribesAndHistory: Tell us more about your business. What’s its mission?

Womiye: I started my platform as a Black-led, Black-serving initiative with the aim of empowering the Black community. And by empowerment, I mean education, dialogue, and networking. I also want to create opportunities for Black people in the diaspora to reconnect with the continent.

One way we do this is by hosting dialogues with high-profile individuals from the Black community—representatives, ambassadors, entrepreneurs—bringing together voices from Africa and North America. There’s a huge gap between these two communities, and I want to bridge it.

Another unique aspect of my business is giving people of African descent the opportunity to reclaim their heritage by receiving indigenous names. I work with traditional leaders in Nigeria who help assign names based on an individual’s values and identity. For instance, if your name is Nancy or Shawn, you could receive a meaningful name like Ugo or Ife. Names carry power, and this is a way for people to feel a deeper connection to their roots.

TribesAndHistory: That’s amazing. Have you already started connecting people with their heritage in this way?

Womiye: Yes! We just launched recently, but the interest has been overwhelming.

The idea for the naming initiative came to me after a conversation with a Jamaican man who works in Toronto’s anti-racism department. He told me he always felt a connection to the Igbo people, and when I shared what I knew about historical links between Jamaica and the Igbo, he was in awe. He even realized that his father’s name carried an Igbo chieftaincy title! That moment reinforced the need for this kind of reconnection.

Right now, we’re in the early stages, identifying tribal representatives to work with, and planning a big launch event in March. Originally, we wanted to feature a London ambassador, but with the current tensions in Rwanda and the DRC, we’re reconsidering.

TribesAndHistory: Can you share a pivotal moment in your journey that shaped the leader you are today?

Womiye: Definitely. The moment that changed everything for me was posting my first historical video.

I didn’t know much about TikTok, and I had no intention of being a content creator—I was just upset about what I had learned and needed to talk about it. But that video resonated with so many people. The engagement was incredible. It made me realize that these stories matter and that people want to learn more.

After that, I posted about the Women’s King’s Palace and the history of the Dahomey Kingdom, especially with the release of The Woman King movie. That video sparked even more questions, leading me to explore sites in Montego Bay, Senegal, and hopefully Brazil in the future. It’s been a powerful journey.

TribesAndHistory: How has your African heritage shaped your business journey?

Womiye: Oh, it has shaped everything. I am so proud to be African. My heritage is my strength—it makes me feel like a queen when I hear these stories of resilience and brilliance.

For example, learning about figures like Queen Amina of Zazzau or the Great Zimbabwe civilization makes me realize how much we had before colonialism. We had our own systems of government, our own thriving cultures. Despite everything our ancestors went through, we are still here, still powerful, still a force. That knowledge drives me every day.

TribesAndHistory: What role does your culture play in your leadership style and decision-making?

Womiye: My business is built entirely on my heritage, so it influences everything. It’s the foundation of my passion and my work.

Storytelling is crucial to me because so many African narratives have been hidden or erased. I see it as my responsibility to uncover and share them. These are stories of resilience, survival, and triumph. Colonization tried to erase them, but we are still standing.

Beyond storytelling, I see myself as an advocate and activist. And meeting others like you, who are also doing this work, is so affirming. It shows that we are part of something bigger—this collective effort to reclaim our history and identity.

TribesAndHistory: What legacy do you hope to leave for the next generation of Africans?

Womiye: I want people to truly embrace Ubuntu—the idea that ‘I am because we are.’ We are interconnected, and we are stronger together.

I don’t think we fully understand the power we hold as a people. And that’s why so many forces have tried to divide us—because they see our potential, even when we don’t. Systemic racism, colonialism, and Western influence have caused so much damage, but we have the ability to reclaim our identity and redefine our future.

My legacy is simple: I want every person who comes across my work to feel a sense of belonging, to know that they are meant to be here, and that they have a role to play in shaping our collective destiny.

Imagine a world where Black people fully embraced their history and power—no oppression, no barriers, just limitless potential. That’s the world I want to help build.

TribesAndHistory: Is there anything else you’d like to add that we didn’t ask?
Womiye: I’m just so proud of TribesAndHistory, and how you keep propelling African stories. This platform is giving people a voice, and bringing us together and it is amazing.