In the final episode of the second season of the FIERCE Mothers podcast, Ugochi takes a trip down memory lane and recaps some of the fantastic conversations she had with the inspiring guests. It's been an incredible journey exploring many topics, meeting inspiring individuals, and delving into the depths of personal and professional growth. This se…

Today, on this episode of the FIERCE Mothers podcast, Ugochi sits down with Dupe Akinyede, the Chief Information Officer of Residio Technologies Inc., a Honeywell spinoff with over $6 Billion in revenue. Dupe, a graduate of the London School of Economics, embarked on her career journey as a Certified Accountant at Ernst and Young in search of caree…

Today, on this episode of the FIERCE Mothers podcast, Ugochi sits down with Mildred Talabi, the founder of Visible Women Tribe and a LinkedIn personal branding Speaker, Trainer, and Coach. Mildred has spent the last decade mastering the art of personal branding in both career and business. She trained as a journalist and worked in the media before …

In this episode of the FIERCE Mothers Podcast, Ugochi has an authentic, real, and inspiring conversation with Rita Thomas. Rita Thomas is an award-winning communications expert specializing in storytelling and getting to the heart of people. She’s been able to partner with several brands, personalities, and talent throughout her career and learned …

In this episode of the FIERCE Mothers Podcast, Ugochi has a lovely conversation with Dr. Adaku Onukogu. As a leading internal care physician, Dr. Adaku Onukogu is interested in helping patients throughout Silver Spring and the greater Washington D.C. area achieve overall health and wellness. Whether performing a general consultation, annual physica…

In this episode of the FIERCE Mothers Podcast, Ugochi has a powerful conversation with Debola Deji-Kurunmi, DDK, as she is affectionately called. DDK is a best-selling author, keynote speaker, ministry gift, public policy advisor, and transformational coach for visionary leaders. DDK deploys her extraordinary talent of unlocking potential in people…

In this FIERCE Mother's podcast episode, Ugochi sits down with Boye Asenuga. Boye "Bibi" Asenuga is a Nigerian-American Founder and Creative Director of ChicNiCity, a women’s ready-to-wear clothing label based in Massachusetts. Inspired by her dual identity of ethnicity and modernity, Bibi created ChicNiCity by fusing ethnic-inspired colors & print…

Today on this episode of the FIERCE Mothers Podcast, Ugochi sits down with Dr. Vikisha Fripp. Dr. Vikisha Fripp, MD, FACS, is a board-certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, and author. She is a respected leader in her field and passionate about empowering others to find personal success and happiness beyond achievement. Beyond her medical ca…

Today on this episode of the FIERCE Mothers Podcast, Ugochi sits down with Pamela Sofola. Pamela is the founder and CEO of A Beautiful Closet. A Beautiful Closet was birthed in 2011 and was inspired by numerous comments by beautiful and confident women from various countries around the world about the taste and artistic rendition of Pam’s dressing …

In today's episode of the FIERCE Mothers Podcast, Ugochi talks to Oluwatoyin Ajilore-Chukwuemeka, (Toyin). Oluwatoyin is an education researcher and professional. She works in the convergence of education, social entrepreneurship, policy, and development. She is pursuing a Ph.D. in STEM Education at Tufts University (Boston, USA), and her research …

In today's episode of the FIERCE Mothers Podcast, Ugochi talks to Funlayo Alabi, the CEO, and Co-founder of Shea Radiance. Shea Radiance was born when Funlayo and her husband started making products in their kitchen to solve their family’s dry skin and eczema problems. They found Shea Butter to be the ultimate healing balm. The company creates beau…

In today's heartwarming episode of the FIERCE Mothers podcast, Ugochi talks to Somachi Kachikwu. Somachi is an experienced educator who has worked in various roles to build and strengthen the education sector internationally. She is currently the Curriculum Director at Phoenix TS, where she spearheads the planning, design, development, implementati…

In today's FIERCE Mother's podcast episode, Ugochi talks to Malobi Achike. Malobi is an attorney and ardent diversity, equity, and inclusion ambassador. She is passionate about working with organizations to usher in changes that sustainably impact the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts. This passion led Malobi to launch her own Tech sta…

In this captivating episode of the FIERCE Mothers Podcast, Ugochi delves into the fascinating world of names, their significance, and the intriguing stories they hold. Joining Ugochi is Juliana Ogechi Onyenani. Juliana Ogechi Onyenani is a London-based storyteller, writer, and producer of the "No Shame In My Name" podcast, documenting the stories a…

In today's episode on the podcast, Ugochi talks to Sandra Obinna. Sandra is the Founder of Ispire Catering in Maryland. Ispire Catering and Events is a premier family-owned catering and event decorating company serving the DMV (D.C., Maryland, and Virginia) area. Ispire provides catering services, event decoration, and more for weddings, birthdays,…

According to Wikipedia, The angry black woman stereotype is a racial trope in American society and media that portrays Black women as inherently ill-mannered and ill-tempered. In this episode, Ugochi discusses this stereotype and the widespread effects of this myth, not only on black women's careers and perception of leadership capabilities but als…

In today's episode, I am talking to the phenomenal Nene Akintan. Nene Judy Akintan is a Wife, Mother, Entrepreneur, Mentor, Speaker, Author, Realtor, Advocate, and, more importantly, God’s Unique Creation. Nene grew up in a family of hard-working folks. Her parents were born into poverty but became successful in their careers through hard work, amb…

Today on the FIERCE Mothers podcast, I discuss goal setting. I talk about the importance of clearly defining what you want to achieve and breaking it down into smaller, manageable steps that can be measured and tracked. Goal setting is a powerful technique that can help individuals achieve success in their personal and professional lives. Setting g…

In this FIERCE Mothers Solo Session, Ugochi speaks with Oonah Jaja-Wachuku. Oonah is an educator, researcher, writer, and lifelong learner, a maverick person with collaborating dualities. She has multiple interests and pastimes. Her overarching aim is to bring positive and lasting change to the world, one person at a time. Today, we talk about wome…

Leadership is the art of inspiring and motivating a group to achieve a common goal. Effective leadership requires communication, decision-making, empathy, and vision. A good leader can inspire people to do their best work and help a team reach its full potential. There are many different leadership styles, and what works best for one person or situ…

The intersection of fitness, wellness, and community has always been important. This became particularly true for today’s guest on the FIERCE Mothers podcast during the pandemic. Ngozi Ibe is a health and wellness enthusiast passionate about exploring the intersectionality of fitness and friendship. She loves spending time with her girlfriends and …

You’ve heard the term “burnout,” but have you stopped to consider what burnout is and whether or not you’re experiencing it? Chances are, if you work long hours in demanding spaces, you’ve experienced burnout. While it may not be something we can prevent entirely, it is something we can recognize in advance and minimize the effects of. Being a moth…

Today's guest on the FIERCE Mothers podcast is Natasha Hemmingway, Sales Coach, Consultant & Speaker. Sometimes, our lives and work overlap in ways we can’t always control or predict. For today’s guest on the FIERCE Mothers podcast, a personal tragedy made Natasha Hemingway refocus her life, her career, and what was important to her. After sixteen …

Sometimes it can feel a little icky when we think about promoting ourselves and our achievements, mainly when we must consistently do it. We often think being loud about ourselves is selfish or arrogant rather than something selfless. On today’s FIERCE Mothers Solo Session, host Ugochi Onyewu talks about the importance of self-promotion and why you…

Being a high-achieving professional can be greatly rewarding and satisfying, but it also comes with unique challenges. No matter your credentials, it’s easy to get caught up in comparing yourself to others and letting your definition of success get distorted by what you see others doing. Ije Agbo is a Nigerian-born cybersecurity professional who im…

Mentorship is a role that is often unofficial, unstructured, and unpaid. Yet it’s a critical part of every professional’s career, and those with longevity will inevitably find themselves on both sides of the equation. In today’s FIERCE Mothers Solo Session, host Ugochi Onyewu talks about mentorship. Ugochi defines what and who a mentor is and who i…

Glamour and grace are no strangers to Kate Henshaw, popularly known as "Kate The Great." Kate is an award-winning actress and is one of the most popular and loved Nollywood actresses. She has a long and illustrious career spanning 30 years and has developed a strong reputation due to her talent and integrity. Kate is a decorated and stylish actress…

Part of the unfortunate everyday reality of living in many modern spaces is the unconscious display of ignorance that is often shown to people of color. Yes, we’re talking about microaggressions. In today’s Solo Session, host Ugochi Onyewu talks about what microaggressions are and gives examples that she’s experienced in her career. Ugochi also dis…

Finding one’s purpose isn’t without challenges and often takes years of exploration, experimenting, and sometimes divine intervention. But, for Blossom Maduafokwa, a chance encounter at a gym she attended helped her to start her fitness training and Zumba company called Blossom’s Fitness Hub. Blossom Maduafokwa joins Ugochi Onyewu for a conversatio…

Thank you for joining us for the FIERCE Mothers podcast, hosted by Ugochi Onyewu! Your host, Ugochi, is a woman of Igbo heritage living in the Washington DC area. Throughout her professional career, Ugochi has built a stellar resume working diligently in the high ranks of Big tech and consulting. Ugochi is also a wife and mother of three children, …

Ugochi is a woman of Igbo heritage and wanted a forum to celebrate the achievements of inspirational African women and women of color. The FIERCE Mothers Podcast showcases the stories of these women, through compelling interviews with inspiring guests.

Adaku Uche Ekpo is a consultant to non-profit organizations in the following areas: - youth program development - business development/fundraising - board development - nonprofit management She has over ten years of experience as a staff and board member of a variety of non-profit organizations. She headed business development for the American Bar …

Today’s phenomenal fierce Igbo woman is none other than Dr. Ifenlota Ojiako. Dr. Ifenlota Ojiako, MD is a hospice & palliative medicine specialist. She is also the founder of Zebralter Medical. Zebralter Medical is an organization dedicated to equipping lifelong learners. The organization provides success and study tips. Zebralter Medical is passio…

My guest today is the fabulous Ndidiamaka Okoli. Ndidiamaka Okoli, president, owner, and founder of olive tree compounding pharmacy. Ndidiamaka grew up in the California bay area in a traditional and loving family, who instilled in her a love for her culture. Dr. Ndidiamaka (Didi) Okpareke began her professional career after graduating with honors …

In today’s episode, I speak to Ijeoma Okoli, one of the founders of Umu Igbo Unite, UIU. This was such a warm interview and I found Ijeoma to be a woman after my own heart. She has such a desire to make a positive impact and this shone through during our chat. Umu Igbo Unite (UIU), was founded in 2005 in Atlanta, Georgia. The organization was found…

I just finished a wonderful chat with Elvira Berry, who is the first of her kind on this show. She is no stranger to adversity and hardship and her story is outstanding. Elvira was born and grew up in Enugu in Eastern Nigeria. Elvira and her two sisters Cassandra and Vanessa were raised by a single mother who out of necessity was away for long peri…

In this short episode, Ugochi takes a break from regularly scheduled broadcasts to welcome listeners to the new year. Ugochi asks for suggestions from the audience on ways to improve and continue to grow as a platform. Ugochi mentions her new book titled "F.I.E.R.C.E Mothers - Create the Life of Your Dreams and Crush Your Goals." The kindle and pap…

Today’s amazing guest on the show is Chinyere Ukaonu Nzekwu, known as Chinny. Chinny grew up in a strict Catholic household. She was the only girl in a house with five brothers, so she learned to fight for what belonged to her from an early age. She is the very definition of Tenacity and Daring and earned the name “small but mighty” Chinny is the f…

Today I speak with the highly accomplished Dr. Ebere Okereke. Ebere was born in London and returned to Nigeria at age five, where she grew up. Ebere is a self-professed “ABU”, which stands for “Aba brought up” because she grew up in Aba, Eastern Nigeria. Ebere went to Medical school at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus. Today, Ebere is a publ…

Fiona Makia (Nee Ukachukwu) was born in the United Kingdom but went to secondary school in Owerri. She studied at the University of Benin, before returning to the United Kingdom. Listen with me as Fiona takes us through her journey. After nursing school, Fiona moved to the Middle East, where she has spent the last six years. She spent just under a …

Zim Ugochukwu is the founder & former CEO of Travel Noire. Travel Noire was founded with one lofty goal in mind: to make international travel more inclusive and representative of explorers of color—in turn, inspiring them to frequently explore new destinations. Travel Noire was named one of the Most Innovative Companies in the World by Fast Company…

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM). National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure. As part of Breast Cance…

In this episode, I chat with Chinelo Chidozie, who is the co-founder of Bolden USA. Chinelo and I went to Business School together a number of years ago, but we only recently re-connected through a mutual friend. Chinelo and her sister-in-law Ndidi founded the company Bolden to embolden black women to confidently embrace their natural beauty. Throu…

My guest on today’s thoroughly enjoyable episode is Maureen Umeh. Maureen Umeh is an anchor and reporter for FOX 5 Morning. Maureen’s career on TV started a number of years ago, landing a full-time reporting job at WCIA-TV right after she graduated from college. She has been honored with several awards for her work. They include an Emmy for Best In…

This week I chat with the vivacious Ekene. Ekene Onu is the founder of Refresh with Ekene, a coaching and consulting company. She is a certified professional and emotional intelligence coach, who is also certified in Organizational and change leadership. Ekene started her working career as a pharmacist and practiced for close to two decades prior t…

Today I sit down with Ngozi Enyia Ibe. I met Ngozi a few years ago through a friend of mine and I knew right away that she is a "girls’ girl". The Urban Dictionary defines a "girls’ girl" as “A girl who has respect for female etiquette. A girl who is not petty and strives to be ethical and decent in her dealings with her female friends.” We wanted …

Today I speak to the brave and daring Ugo Arinzeh. Ugo has experienced a lot of different things, which made for an amazing and interesting discussion. After Business School, where she specialized in Finance, Ugo worked as a banker for a number of years. She started her own business as an interior decorator in DC. Eight years ago, she packed up and…

In this episode I had so much fun chatting to Ifunanya Nwanonyiri. Raised in the U.S, Ifunanya did not grow up speaking Igbo but had a curiosity to learn about the culture, and was super conscious of where she is from. Ifunanya is a student studying for her doctorate in Physical Therapy. In spite of her busy schedule, she recently started a Podcast…

In today’s episode we have an incredible discussion with Dr. Adaeze Enekwechi, former White House Associate Director of Health Programs. Adaeze was born in New Jersey and went to elementary School in Nigeria. Adaeze has experienced a highly successful career in a relatively short time. She started her career at the Congressional Budget Office, wher…

Today I chat to the incredibly accomplished Linda Nkechinyelu Oramasionwu-Leverette. Linda is the Founder and CEO of Kupanda Capital, a private equity firm that focuses on investing in Pan African companies across all sectors. She's invested in some really cool companies, including Mavin Records, Don Jazzy’s record label. Linda is VERY passionate a…