We recently connected with Stephanie Oderoha and have shared our conversation below.

Stephanie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

I aspire to build a legacy that embodies what it means to fully embrace and utilize the gifts God has given me in a way that touches others and fulfills His purpose for my life. I want my legacy to be rooted in integrity, quality, creativity, and love, creating spaces where creatives can joyfully step into their purpose.

I hope people will remember me as someone who is multi-talented, creative, and brilliant, but above all, I want to be remembered for my heart and how I treated others. While I cherish the idea of being recognized for my body of work, it is the impact I have on people’s lives that truly matters to me.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Growing up, I was always drawn to creative pursuits such as drawing, singing, dancing, modeling, and designing. What truly ignited my confidence to pursue these passions was my experience at my charter high school, C.A.T.C.H. This school played a pivotal role in helping me develop my creative writing skills, explore modeling and fashion design, and ultimately embrace my identity.

During high school, I dedicated my summers to catching the bus to modeling casting calls, fueled by my dream of becoming a high-fashion runway model. Although I may not have been the tallest, I carried the confidence of someone who was. As college approached, I realized I needed to get serious about my future, but I knew that traditional university wasn’t going to be the fulfilling but I graduated with my B.S in Public Health.

That summer, before my senior year, I became captivated by web series on YouTube (“First”, “Roomie, Lover, Friends”, “No Love Lost” etc.) and spent a month writing a show called “Dangerous Waters.” With no formal training in film, I immersed myself in studying the craft and poured my heart into the project, crafting 100 pages of dialogue. I cast the actors, recruited a crew, and brought people together—an incredible experience that deepened my understanding of my place in the world, particularly in writing and concept development. In this same breath, I created my YouTube channel “Stephanogabanna” where I gained over 30k subscribers by being a black girl in beauty, storytelling, sharing fashion tips, and sharing my music playlists. It was a new vessel that allowed me to be the talent and the team behind production which I thoroughly enjoyed!

In 2021, I faced a life-altering accident that prompted me to write a book titled “To Whom It May Concern,” which consists of short stories from my life. This was a transformative moment that helped me recognize my gifts. Today, I proudly identify as an author, concept developer, creative director, and artist manager, embracing the creative journey I’ve always been passionate about.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being creative is the profound beauty in reflecting on the chaos of the past and witnessing how all the pieces have come together in the present. Many of us don’t recognize just how much we move in faith; we simply “hope” to achieve our goals. It requires a unique mindset to persevere without always having a clear vision. I also find immense joy in bringing a service or product to life that not only serves the clients but also fosters relationships and builds trust.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

As a creative, I find myself constantly pivoting due to my multifaceted nature. While being versatile was often viewed with skepticism, I’ve come to truly appreciate my ability to adapt to any environment as I’ve grown older. A significant turning point in my early adult career was transitioning from working as a school aide at a charter school to creatively assisting artist SYD, formerly known as “Syd The Kid” from The Internet.

This unexpected shift was a delightful surprise, and I embraced the opportunity with enthusiasm, eager to learn and dive into new challenges. I went from teaching students to organizing events, developing concepts, sharing innovative ideas, and sitting in meetings with influential figures. It was an experience that truly changed the course of my journey!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram/etc.steph
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/stephanogabanna

Image Credits

Aujinay Brown