Introducing "Labor of Our Heroes": A Nigerian-American Tribute Beyond the Barbecue

The smell of charcoal ignites, the sound of laughter rings through backyards, and the promise of a long weekend beckons. This is the familiar tapestry of Labor Day in America-a federal holiday born from the sweat and struggle of the American worker. But for a vibrant, driven community within the African diaspora, this day holds a deeper, more profound resonance.

This year, we expand that vision. We honor a new generation of Nigerian-American professionals, entrepreneurs, and public servants who are not just working; they are rewriting the very playbook on work, wealth, and cultural influence. Their labor is a force driven by innovation, an unshakable identity, and a will to rise that builds legacies, not just resumes.

This is the spirit of a modern renaissance. It thrives in Silicon Valley coding suites, Wall Street boardrooms, Michelin-starred restaurant kitchens, and the creative studios of digital kings. This is the labor of our heroes present.

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A Convergence of Minds and Mission

This powerful energy is channeling into new platforms for growth. This September, set against the backdrop of the UN General Assembly 80th Anniversary and the Global Citizen Festival, The American Exchange: A Fire Festival emerges not merely as an event, but as a high-level convergence. It is a carefully curated gathering where the lines between diplomacy, technology, finance, and art blur. Here, UN officials will engage with startup founders, and bank executives will exchange ideas with Olympic champions.

It is crucial to clarify that this event, while using the "Fire Festival" name to evoke the fire of innovation and ambition, is a distinct, sophisticated brunch focused on professional exchange and legacy building. It has no association with the unrelated music festival.

In October, we will continue this momentum at the WBG-IMF 2025 Annual Meetings Civil Society Policy Forum (CSPF) with our session, "Engineering Redemptive Impact: AI-Driven Solutions for Civil Society's Grand Challenges." In November, we will present at the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha. All three events are proudly supported by the Youth Enterprise Development & Innovation Society (YEDIS) and the Waterlight Save Initiative (WSI).

The entire event is powered by the ConcordeApp AI [https://concordeapp.com/] Event & Revenue Engine, a smart system designed to transform networking from a social activity into a strategic, growth-focused machine. Its AI Social Media Agent builds pre-event buzz, while its Event Intelligence Tool analyzes live conversations to identify hidden opportunities-like matching a founder seeking funding with the perfect investor in the room.

Championing this movement is the Semaform Foundation, a non-profit leveraging data and technology to advance global prosperity in education, healthcare, and economic empowerment. Together, they represent the forward-thinking, operational mindset that defines this community's approach to impact.

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L: Rafiu Olaore, YEDIS, Prince Ero Ibhafidon, WSI and Chaste Inegbedion, Semaform Foundation

The Architects of Change: A Tapestry of Excellence

The American Exchange is a testament to the leaders redefining influence. They are the embodiment of the legacy labor we celebrate.

Ambassador Abubakar Jidda, Nigeria's Consul General in New York, is a diplomat with over two decades of experience fostering international trade and cooperation from the world's biggest stages.

Bobola Odebiyi, CPA, Founder & CEO of CrossKudi, is a Nigerian-American who transformed his personal pain of sending money across borders into a fintech mission, building on a formidable career at Johnson Controls, EY, and PwC.

Tope Esan, an analytics executive with an 18-year record in Fortune 500 companies, exemplifies expertise in using data not just for profit, but for intelligent customer acquisition and risk management.

Gbenga Akingbulere, a multi-award-winning Staff Software Engineer at Palo Alto Networks, builds AI-powered cybersecurity applications at scale, contributing to systems that enhance financial security across Africa.

Richard Ojuri, a Vice President at M&T Bank, is the banker who builds bridges, dedicating his career to unlocking sophisticated credit and banking solutions for small and midsize businesses.

Gbenga Omotayo: An international trade consultant and entrepreneur, Gbenga specializes in helping African businesses successfully launch and thrive in the global market. He is the founder of USAfrica HUB and the facilitator of USAfrica Business Week, a premier platform connecting U.S. and African businesses during the U.N. General Assembly.

And then there is Tunde Ednut, the Digital King of Influence. A multifaceted media personality with a verified Instagram empire of over 5 million followers, he has become a powerful force in shaping African entertainment trends from his base in the U.S., earning recognition for his work that includes a Lifetime Achievement Award from former President Joe Biden.

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The Culinary and Creative Visionaries

Legacy is built in boardrooms and in kitchens. The entrepreneurial spirit of the community flourishes through culinary artistry.

Chef Lookman Afolayan Mashood (BUKA) turned Brooklyn into a hub for authentic Nigerian flavors, proving food is cultural diplomacy. His journey from immigrating in 1996 to owning a celebrated restaurant is a classic story of grit and grace.

Chef Ayodeji Adeosun (Lagos TSQ) carries that torch with 17 years of experience, on a mission to serve New Yorkers dishes that taste like home-a dream that simmered until it was ready to serve millions.

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This movement is fortified by powerful women redefining success on their own terms:

Tinu, a New York-based singer-songwriter and pioneering publisher, launched the world's first shoe-themed magazine from her viral hit "Shoeholic."

Amy Oraefo, Esq., a seasoned entertainment attorney, empowers creatives and entrepreneurs, negotiating multi-million dollar deals with giants like Universal Music Group and Meta.

Nimi Bello, an award-winning Creative Director and Digital Agile Transformation Leader, has spearheaded innovation for globally recognized brands like Deloitte and Capital One, now focusing her expertise on creating lasting social impact.

Asake Agoro, a third-generation seamstress and founder of the AsakeOge label, brilliantly bridges the world of couture and tech, embodying the modern renaissance creator.

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A Birthday Tribute: The Legacy of a Luminary

This Labor Day season, as we celebrate collective achievement, we also pause to honor an individual whose life is a masterclass in purposeful labor. Oluseun Onigbinde, the co-founder of BudgIT, is a beacon of hope and a relentless force for transparency and accountability.

His journey is not just about building one of Africa's most impactful civic organizations; it's about lighting candles for others to see. His belief in being proximate to the community-evident in his work rebuilding computer labs at Loyola College and supporting youths through The Proximity Trust-shows that true legacy is measured in lives touched.

My own career trajectory was profoundly shaped by Oluseun. He granted a young professional a leap of faith-an invitation to travel and learn with BudgIT. In trusting me to carry the torch of fiscal transparency, he taught me that leadership isn't about control; it's about empowerment. This lesson has become the bedrock of my work, including my endeavors with ConcordeApp [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mirzadevpro.concordeapp].

His global impact, from Chatham House to the World Economic Forum, has expanded the conversation on governance. And now, he progresses to his next chapter as a Doctor of International Affairs student at Johns Hopkins SAIS, equipping himself to tackle how technology and AI can shape democratic resilience.

To be his mentee is to witness a life of excellence in motion-a present father, an exemplary husband, a man of unwavering faith, honor, and integrity. His legacy is etched in the systems he built and the leaders he empowered.

Thank you, Oluseun, for using your candle to light mine. Happy 40th birthday. May your new academic journey be filled with even greater impact.

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Oluseun Onigbinde

The Path Forward: Amplifying Our Collective Voice

The labor of our heroes must be met with strategic support. To truly catalyze this new era, getting diverse voices onto the global stage is paramount. Influential leaders like Bill Gates, Aliko Dangote, and Tony Elumelu can amplify this impact through actionable steps:

* Fully Sponsored Travel: Establishing targeted funds to cover travel and accommodation for vetted African content creators and journalists to attend global forums, ensuring fresh, on-the-ground perspectives are heard.
* Securing Google Grant Ads: Providing expert support to help African creators and non-profits navigate the application and management of Google Ad Grants, dramatically amplifying their digital reach and impact.
* Providing Venues: Offering pro-bono access to prime event spaces in global hubs like New York during the UNGA, transforming side events into powerful platforms for connection and debate.

This is the new wave of strategic philanthropy-empowering voices, building infrastructure, and creating space. It ensures the vibrant narrative of a rising community, its challenges, and its boundless innovations are central to the global conversation.

This Labor Day, we honor more than just work. We honor the legacy in the making. We honor the labor of our heroes.

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Bobola Odebiyi, Founder Crosskudi and SaveCircle

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