We recently connected with Jeaniffer Okugbeni and have shared our conversation below.

Jeaniffer, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about serving the underserved.

Yes, my nonprofit, the Jeaniffer Foundation (@thejeanifferfoundation), serves underserved communities, particularly in Nigeria. We launched in March 2024, with a food distribution project in Benin City, providing staple items to 100 families facing severe economic challenges. By May 2024, we expanded our efforts, reaching 250 families in Lagos to address food insecurity.

Beyond immediate relief, we focus on long-term empowerment. Our Education Sponsorship Program supports two children currently, with a goal to sponsor at least 20 by Fall 2025, breaking cycles of poverty through access to quality education. Additionally, we are planning clean water initiatives, including borehole installations, to provide sustainable access to safe drinking water, reduce waterborne diseases, and improve hygiene. This project is set to begin in Fall 2025 with donor support.

As part of our 2024 efforts, we are organizing an end-of-year project where my team will cook and serve meals to up to 400 people in Lagos during the Christmas period. The holidays are often harder for families in Nigeria as food prices are inflated, and this initiative will provide much-needed relief and joy during this time.

In all, marginalized communities often lack consistent access to necessities due to systemic poverty and limited infrastructure. Addressing food insecurity, education, and clean water empowers families to focus on a brighter, sustainable future. Through these initiatives, we aim to foster hope, stability, and long-term resilience. You can learn more about our work and explore various ways to support us at https://jeanifferfoundation.org.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Jeaniffer Okugbeni, and I’m a cybersecurity professional, fashion content creator, and founder of the Jeaniffer Foundation. Born and raised in Nigeria, I immigrated to the United States at the age of 11, and my journey since then has been a testament to hard work, adaptability, and the pursuit of passion across multiple fields.

Professionally, I’m an information security engineer at a Fortune 500 company. My path to cybersecurity was unconventional. I initially studied Political Science at Texas A&M University and planned to attend law school; however, I realized that it did not align with my passions or personality. I discovered cybersecurity through my husband, who opened my eyes to a field I hadn’t considered but soon loved. Although I doubted my place in STEM, especially as a woman of color, I leaned into the challenge. Driven by curiosity and determination, I graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Dallas with a Master’s in Cybersecurity in 2022 and earned certifications such as CompTIA Security+ and CySA+. Despite still having imposter syndrome at times, I’m grateful to have found my place in a field that is incredibly fulfilling.

On the creative side, I’m a fashion content creator on Instagram (@allaboutjeaniffer), where I’ve built an engaged community in just a few months. My platform is a space where I share my love for style and skincare, and encourage my audience to embrace confidence and individuality through their fashion choices. I create diverse content, including outfit inspiration, Get Ready With Me (GRWM) videos, and skincare recommendations for oily and acne-prone skin. I want to inspire my audience to find joy and self-expression in fashion while being mindful of overconsumption. My content creation journey has led to exciting collaborations with brands and allowed me to connect with others through authenticity and creativity.

I am also deeply committed to philanthropy through the Jeaniffer Foundation (@thejeanifferfoundation). Our mission is to empower underserved communities in Nigeria and the United States through food distribution, education sponsorships, and plans for clean water initiatives. Since launching in March 2024, we’ve provided food staples to hundreds of families and are sponsoring two children’s education, with aspirations to do even more.

I’m most proud of the impact I’ve made in uplifting communities while pursuing my passions. Whether through cybersecurity, fashion, or philanthropy, my goal is to inspire others to embrace their full potential and create meaningful change. You can learn more about my nonprofit’s mission and support our work at https://jeanifferfoundation.org.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I began my creative journey in August 2024 as a way to reconnect with myself after becoming a mom. Before motherhood, I loved fashion, especially shoes, and enjoyed taking pictures. I even aspire to be a model or walk a runway despite being 5’5”. However, after giving birth, I struggled with postpartum depression and lost touch with who I was beyond my new role as a mother. In my Nigerian culture, mental health struggles like these aren’t openly discussed, often leading to feelings of guilt and shame. Thankfully, my husband provided unwavering support, helping me navigate these feelings.

As many new moms can relate, I initially felt overwhelmed by the expectation to define my identity solely through motherhood, which felt unsustainable. I created my Instagram page as a fun, creative outlet to reconnect with myself beyond the titles of mom, wife, cybersecurity professional, and philanthropist, etc. My goal wasn’t complex; I simply wanted a space that reminded me of who I am, beyond these roles. It’s a space for joy, creativity, and lightness, and a place where I could embrace my love for fashion without the weight of responsibilities.

I hope my journey inspires other moms to find themselves, love their new bodies, and rediscover joy in their lives, even beyond their children.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I started my Instagram page in August, and in just four months, I’ve built a supportive community of amazing women who continually uplift my content. From the beginning, I followed accounts that inspired me and aligned with the light, joyful space I wanted to create and consume. As someone who tends to be a perfectionist, I’ve had to let go of the urge for everything to be “perfect”, whether it’s the perfect timing for posts, flawless transitions, or curated content. Instead, I’ve embraced authenticity and shared content that feels true to me, which has made the process freeing and rewarding.

My advice to others starting out is to stay genuine, engage with your community, and focus on creating content that reflects who you are. Growth happens when you’re active and supportive of others, not just posting for the sake of gaining followers. Through authenticity and consistency, I’ve grown my account far beyond what I imagined.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jeanifferfoundation.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allaboutjeaniffer
• Other: https://shopmy.us/jeaniffer
  https://www.shopltk.com/explore/allaboutjeaniffer
  https://www.instagram.com/thejeanifferfoundation

Image Credits

Christa Egusquiza