Ayomide Kashim, Oluyinka Davids, Other Leaders Receive 2022 MLK Heroes awards

By Esther Oluku

Award-winning international filmmaker Oluyinka Davids and FinServe Pro CEO Ayomide Ibrahim have joined a list of outstanding leaders who received the MLK Heroes Awards.

The ceremony, organised by the ADKing Foundation, was held on December 3 at Atlanta Metropolitan State College, Atlanta, Georgia.

Other recipients include Mr. Owolabi Williams, Founder and CEO of Boys Lead Foundation; Dr. Cynthia Harper, Founder and CEO of Harper Services LLC; Ms. Debby Awoyemi, CEO and Co-Founder of BluetanksEV; Mr. Richardson Ojeka, CEO of Africado Foundation; Mr. Henry Ayansola, Co-Founder of Alpha Evo Corporation; Mr. Ben Seyi-Ola, author of What Makes Gen Z Different; Dr. Ngozi Onyechie, Founder of Dream Inspiration Africa USA; and Ms. Glory Attaochu, Founder of Black Foreigner Ukraine USA.

This year’s event recognised leaders in sectors such as advocacy, governance, technology, media, education and agricultural innovation.

The Executive Director of the A.D. King Foundation Atlanta, Dr. Babs Onabanjo, said, “Specifically, we wanted people who have made contributions in the areas of promoting peace, education, improving communities in Africa and who have demonstrated leadership and volunteerism like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rev. Alfred Daniel King themselves.”

Ibrahim described the award as heartwarming, saying, “This recognition is a reminder that the work we do to strengthen financial innovation and empower communities is not in vain. I am honoured and motivated to keep contributing.”

Debby Awoyemi stressed the importance of staying focused. “Fear is our greatest enemy. Sometimes we feel like we are not worthy of being in top positions but that is the essence of our goals,” she said.

Richardson Ojeka noted, “We believe that young people have the right to opportunities and will take action to create them for ourselves if they are not available to us.”

Davids said, “I feel so honoured to be recognised alongside other notable individuals. I believe young people can make a difference in society if they are willing. I will continue to do my best in contributing my own quota towards societal growth. If young ones channel their energy to positive things, they can make great impact. I believe we can do better because we are stronger when we work together.”