Today we’d like to introduce you to Bola Ibidapo.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was always that hyper involved student growing up. It drove my Nigerian parents crazy. I was in every club and activity I could sign up for from elementary school through high school. I always ended up in multiple leadership roles. I served and led heavily in my youth group. I was homecoming queen and the list goes on. It wasn’t that I needed it for any status, but I loved to do it because I got to spend time with people. All different types of people. I loved the ability to encourage and uplift my peers. And I see the same potential in young people to do the same today. Both of my nonprofits center around uplifting young people. Whether it’s developing their leadership and entrepreneurial traits (The Queen Talk) or providing the support for young people to travel and see a world bigger than themselves (Too Fly Foundation). When leadership and young people intersect, it truly fills my heart with joy. I had the pleasure of doing a TEDx Talk in Dallas (March 2018) and my sole focus was how adults can empower and equip Generation Z. That is my mission that God has placed me.
Has it been a smooth road?
Anything worthwhile is never easy. Ever. For me, I’m young, I’m female, I’m a black, I have a name hardly anyone can pronounce on the first try. When I’m attempting to cast the vision of my nonprofits to potential donors, I know there are biases I have to first break through. But I speak my truth. And I speak it with honesty and passion. That is my advice. To continue to speak your truth. My other piece of advice for anything worthwhile, is that you cannot do it alone. Your dream is only as good as your team. No great things are built alone. Find your tribe, perfect your team! That includes seeking wisdom from people who have been in the game longer than you.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into The Queen Talk and Too Fly Foundation story. Tell us more about the business.
I am the proud founder of two nonprofits. In August 2016, my dear friend Brandon Miller and I co-founded the Too Fly Foundation, which provides travel grants and passports for students volunteering or studying abroad but may not have the financial means to do so. What started off as a small and fun happy hour fundraiser, but now has turned into a movement that cultivated the love of travel amongst millennials, while also providing resources for the next generation of leaders. Since our inception, we have hosted dope fundraising events in over 10 cities and raised funds for over 100 passports for youth and multiple travel grants for student travel organizations.
My second nonprofit, The Queen Talk, is very dear to my heart. The Queen Talk is a leadership and entrepreneurial initiative for middle school and high school girls. When I ask young ladies what the word QUEEN means to them, you’ll hear words such as brave, responsible, unique, fearless and so much more. The beauty in this, is the fact that these words also describe a leader. The hope is that young girls will start referring to themselves as queens, with the understanding that it carries the weight and responsibility of a leader. Since 2017, I’ve had the honor of encouraging and empowering over 800 girls through workshops, events and The Queen Talk Breakfast Club. Girls have been able to explore what it means to “build their own empire” and put their passions and entrepreneurial goals to work. They’ve met Queens in different industries. Most importantly, young girls have left knowing they can lead TODAY, not when they “grow up”.
My organizations are truly providing ways to uplift the next generation of leaders. In my TEDxOaklawn presentation, I express that the time to mold a leader is not when they’re “grown up”. It’s not when they’re a CEO, a professional athlete, a college graduate, a world performer, a politician…it’s now. And I’m proud to say I am doing my part for encourage these brilliant young people.
What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
I think the biggest challenge is that females are still afraid to advocate their own equality. I have a mentor who is true pioneer in the world of diversity and inclusion. Her name is Trudy Bourgeois and she recently released a book entitled “EQUALITY: Courageous Conversations about Women, Men and Race in the Workplace”. In her book, she expresses how we will have to advocate our own equality, but often times it is women who shy away from doing so, especially Black Women who don’t want to be labeled as aggressive, cold or loud. Bias will forever be the barrier. It doesn’t matter what scenario you may share, bias will be the root. Regardless of bias, women need to be courageous and forward and lead their equality without hesitation. And most importantly…women must learn to advocate for other women. Women don’t want to wear the “feminism” cap because they feel as though they’ll also be stereotyped. WHO CARES? You get you a seat at the table, and pull out the chair for another. That’s true leadership.
Pricing:
- Cost of a Passport- $150
Contact Info:
- Website: thequeentalk.com
- Email: contactbolaibidapo@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/bodapo
- Facebook: Facebook.com/bolaibidapo
- Other: tooflyfundraiser.com
Image Credit:
TEDxOaklawn
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