One of the most inspiring things to see in life, at least for me, is someone living their passion and truly enjoying what they do. I honestly believe that’s when people offer their best, most engaged, most relevant, and truly bomb-ass selves in the marketplace. I have to say though, for most people that I’ve had an opportunity to discuss the path to proverbial professional nirvana with, it’s been super unclear and mostly full of testy waters and self-exploration. Not an overall horrible experience, just one full of discovery, which leads me to the light in this post. If you’re ever so privileged to experience it, the light in every room she’s entered: Ms. Joy Ofodu.
Simply put, Joy is the bomb.com, and she’s killing the game as a Brand Marketing Manager at a major tech firm. Her path to success has been filled with different journeys, all of which rendered skills that she puts to use daily. “I’ve had internships in technology that involved content creation, photography, and editorial copywriting.
My internships taught me how to create concise decks, drive teams toward a common goal, measure the success of digital campaigns, use digital communications to inspire people, and get in front of crowds to tell a story.” That’s all before noon. No mystery, seeing Joy in all of her rock stardom struck a chord with me. Mostly because I am obsessed with reshaping the narrative around the millennial experience.
I must say, even an USC-educated, Bay area native, with a sparkling personality that’s been featured in everything under the sun including LA Weekly (1) (2), Refinery 29 (1)(2), Afropunk (1) (2), People, AdWeek, Blavity, and more has to bust their rear to be a Black woman in Tech. Joy’s devotion to closing the representation gap and shaping the perception of marginalized people in campaigns is in itself inspiring. I’m proud to say that I’ve had the opportunity to interview her and tell a little more about her story!
Joy, from my perspective, you seem to be a “Jill of all trades.” Can you provide a bit of detail around the 10k things that you have on your plate, and what inspired you to get involved with them?
Numbers 4,567 through 10,000 can’t be shared for classified reasons. But as for the rest, I’m someone who demands a high level of mental stimulation
and I have made it a priority to meet that demand. In the past, I wanted to be a CMO of a movie studio, I was a girl scout, I was a basketball player. Now I’m a full-time marketer, a gig photographer and in my spare time, I volunteer with canines. I’ve always been motivated to try what I’m most passionate about.
Now, I’m at a point in life where I don’t execute anything unless I think it will benefit someone else.
How did you find your steady-state after trying so many things?
My vice, kryptonite if you will, is burnout. Historically, I haven’t been as aware of this pattern. I’ve found a steady-state in seeking depth as opposed to breadth of skills. Photography is something that I’ve decided to dive deep into. It’s a skill that stays with you, like riding a bike, and there are so many layers. Additionally, I can use it to generate income or to help and support others. I anticipate that it will continue to be a part of my life for some time as it’s a service that I’m pleased to provide.
“If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present.” – Lao Tzu. In my present, I’m happy to be a marketer; it’s core to my mission and harmonious with my personality.
Can you speak to the intersection or merging of personal and professional, especially as someone who seems to be loving what they do?
I first needed to figure out what my purpose in the world was. I NEEDED TO KNOW. Some people are perfectly fine not knowing. As for me, I needed clarity, solutions, a mission. To get closer to my alignment, I knew I wanted to attack a real-world problem, so I started to do research. I encountered a specific issue around representation in the media. Examining structural inequality, as it pertains to race, lit a fire under me because it robs both current and future generations of opportunity.
I also wanted my work to directly impact my Black community. So, I resolved to get into marketing so that I could have a hand in selecting the images of my people that are presented to my people. When the work is mission-aligned, it doesn’t matter how menial the task; it’s a contribution, and I’m happy to make it.
So I’ve gotta ask, hopefully, it’s not too personal, but what inspired you to chop it all off and rock the fade, which you do so effortlessly and wonderfully?
Before I cut my hair, I had been thinking about it for a while. Through college, I was rocking weaves and things while I was preparing to unveil my natural hair. When I finally did, I realized that the naturalista hair care was difficult and distracting. TBH I was just not feeling it. Yeah, it is my hair but I don’t have a strong allegiance to it.
I struggle with the politics around Black women’s hair and the inquiries each change inspires.
When I got my first cut, I saw the hair falling around me and got really excited! I saw my face for the first time in a long time and had a lot of personal and professional growth afterward, because I could focus on what I was doing vs how I appeared
What is your take on the distinction between fashion /style?
Two things I’ve had a very tumultuous relationship with my whole life. I play into a heteronormative desire to be dainty and cute, meanwhile, I’m built like an Olympian.
“Fashion” feels inaccessible to me. It reminds me of profiting from art and womens bodies/cultural capital. I define style, on the other hand, as how one takes the accessible pieces and presents their personality.
After college, I cleared my closet of things that could potentially clash and populated it with just basics (high-quality basics but basics nonetheless). I begrudgingly followed Kanye’s lead. I worked on emotionally detaching myself from items of clothing.
I’m finally in a place where I can invest in my clothing properly. I’m out of the fast fashion phase (unless for a shoot) and very much in the high quality/utility phase. It still has to be cute though – I’m 23 and want to dress like it. I’m realizing that my environment has a huge impact on what I wear, and though I’m in the big leagues, I want to stay young.
Our motto at the Wkender is Work 9-5, Live 5-9. What does that mean to you, and how do you exhibit that value in your everyday life?
Some of the most exciting things for me are happening in my professional life (9-5). That’s really the beauty of paring your passion with your profession. I get to forget that I’m working. It’s delightful and delicious. I literally have taste now (like I can taste when croissants are not actually fresh lol). I’m leaning into the opportunities, and I’m just soaking it all in. When I’m not frolicking around the world with work, I’m looking for my personal peace: canine enrichment, visiting my man, dancing with strangers, family time or me-time.
Joy I love the path that you’re carving out and I’m truly inspired by your passion, creativity, and drive. Im excited to see where your career takes you and regardless i hope to remain your abrupt turn-up partner and friend!
“If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present.” great quote and article!
Thank you, Joy is truly wonderful and we had a blast shooting with her!