Today we’d like to introduce you to Tobenna Attah.
Tobenna, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Ever since I first started track & field in 7th grade at Austin Middle School, it was always a goal of mine to become an Olympic Athlete in the 400m Dash. I spent my summers dedicated to getting better and running for multiple summer leagues. Of course, I never ended up running in the Olympics, but having such high aspirations put me in a position to “shoot for the stars and fall among the clouds” when it comes to athletics. My time as a student-athlete at Cornell University was an unforgettable experience, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else.
I am the #2 Runner All-Time at Cornell for the 400m Dash both indoor (47.21 seconds) and outdoor (46.91 seconds). I currently serve as a Board Member of the Cornell Track & Field Association, helping the continued success of the collegiate program.
Growing up, I was fortunate enough to have great parents who served as role models. My mother has been involved with many different school districts in the local DFW area and my father has taught at many universities while earning his Ph.D., so I’ve always had a natural affinity for education. They even pushed me to earn a Master’s degree at Syracuse University early on in my professional career after my time as a student-athlete at Cornell. Ultimately, earning a Master of Arts in Media & Education from Syracuse has motivated me to continually find ways to make a meaningful impact in academia. Publishing a children’s book with enriching lessons felt like a natural step in my entrepreneurial journey.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Although it is a massive goal of mine to make a meaningful impact through education. I’ve quickly found that innovating in the educational landscape is more challenging than I thought after earning my master. I’ve created multimedia platforms such as Doodle the News to help younger audiences become more civic-minded, I’ve initiated co-curricular programs between high schools and large technology companies, and I’ve even formed a strategic alliance with the Young Global Leadership Foundation based in NYC. https://doodlethenews.com/, https://www.yglf.org/copy-of-
Now that we see the academic landscape rapidly change due to the international pandemic, it poses even greater challenges to work directly with classrooms and school administration teams. With that said, there is a unique opportunity to help students and educators that may struggle adapting to the digital age of teaching.
This all motivates me to continue innovating and trying to solve real problems all while growing as a sales professional. The skills learned in technology sales mix perfectly with my path as an edupreneur. As a Consulting Sales Manager at Acuity Cloud Solutions, I am applying the sales skills I’ve learned over the years to help this fast-growing HR Cloud consulting company. I am grateful for the Acuity team, as I have never had the pleasure of working with such an amazing team in the cloud tech space. Little do they know, the Acuity team helped reinvigorate my goal to complete my first book about positive examples of teamwork!
Acuity Cloud Solutions is an HR Consulting partner providing a full spectrum of HR services, from recruiting to talent management to HR technology. With the current shift to digital work environments taking place, Acuity is the perfect partner to help your HR organization make its inevitable journey to the cloud.
https://acuitycloudsolutions.
Please tell us about Ekele Media.
Ekele Media creates enriching stories that inspire gratitude and hope for younger audiences and parents/educators through book publishing, live + virtual events and consultative support. I started this platform, recognizing we are amid an international pandemic that will have rippling effects in many people’s lives for years to come. Many media companies today thrive on highlighting nothing but controversies, and it can really put a mental strain on a younger generation simply trying to understand this new world we all live in. Digital media today is hyper-focused on drama, and Ekele Media aims to assuage the drama with more heartwarming tales all audiences can relate to.
I also created Ekele Media because it can be a good umbrella platform for a lot of my other ideas, such as Doodle the News or NinTobe. It’ll be a constant challenge to find one idea that puts me in a position to scale into a viable business, so Ekele Media can be a place where expressing myself through compelling and relatable stories will be more free-flowing.
I’m most proud of my newest book titled Little Lone Leelo Learns, the Power of Teamwork, as it’s also my first book! It’s a charming story perfect for daycares, baby showers, read-along time, youth sports teams, birthdays, and school classrooms (in-person and virtual).
What were you like growing up? Personality wise, interest wise, etc.
Growing up, I was interested in a myriad of things, but nothing came close to my interest in track & field. I would not be who I am today if it wasn’t for this sport and all the people I met along the way. It taught me a lot about perseverance and that believing in myself is what matters most when chasing a goal. I can definitely see myself becoming a track & field coach one day down the road.
I have always tried to have a well-rounded perspective on life. I am learning every day, and I have always been open to changing my mind.
Pricing:
- I’ve worked with individuals in the past to help them unlock their full potential in job interviews through career consulting. Although I have used a standard rate of $100/hour in the past, I’m happy to work flexibly with potential customers on a budget who are looking for their next role and would like extra support and guidance to succeed.
- $12.21 for Little Lone Leelo Learns the Power of Teamwork – https://www.amazon.com/dp/
1735775401
Contact Info:
- Email: tva4@cornell.edu
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ekelemedia/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/anchorTobe
Suggest a story: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
