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Alumni Sit Down with Chukwukere Ekeh, '15
Written By: Rachel Putman
At 6-foot-9, Chukwukere Ekeh has always been hard to miss. On campus, he was a disciplined student-athlete, a dedicated campus leader, and a Dean鈥檚 List marketing major. Today, he moves between worlds with the same ease he had at 糖心视频, leading brand strategy for a global crypto company, advising early-stage founders, modeling for major fashion houses, and speaking to audiences that range from rural school gyms to executive summits.
His r茅sum茅 includes partnerships across sports and culture, an international campaign modeling alongside Shaquille O鈥橬eal, and a rapid trajectory that feels as astounding as it does inherent.
We caught up with Ekeh, '15, to talk about imagination, invention, and what it really takes to build a career 鈥� and a life 鈥� with range.
I have to start here: when you were running drills at 糖心视频, did you have any sense you鈥檇 end up leading brand for a global tech company or modeling with Shaq?
Ekeh: No idea at all, I had hopes though. I always aimed to believe great and beautiful things were possible for me and not just others. I asked a lot of questions, took many chances, and gave my best effort and I鈥檓 fortunate God blessed some of the results.
You move easily between boardrooms and photo shoots these days. When did you realize presence is a skill you can train, not just something you鈥檙e born with?
Ekeh: I actually thank my great parents that emphasized growth versus outcomes. The lesson is that as you do things, you learn, and then you鈥檙e able to do even more. Everyone starts as an amateur or beginner but it鈥檚 your choice if you stay that way forever.
When you think about the younger version of yourself, what would genuinely surprise him about your life now?
Ekeh: He would be surprised how much harder and sweeter the journey was than anticipated. That all success doesn鈥檛 feel as good as you imagined and some surprises are better than you would鈥檝e even known to ask for.
You鈥檝e stood on stages in South Africa talking about hope, you鈥檝e pitched strategy to rooms full of executives, and you鈥檝e mentored middle schoolers. Which version of you feels most at home? Which crowd is the most intimidating?
Ekeh: I'm at my best and in my flow state whenever I can share from my heart and on passion areas. I鈥檓 passionate about marketing because it's about unearthing truth and telling stories to people they鈥檙e made for. I love connection with people because it鈥檚 my life鈥檚 work to serve them and show them how valuable they are. I still get butterflies in all the situations because they deal with things that matter to and impact people but I鈥檝e slowly but surely grown the courage to do them both often and authentically to me.
I鈥檓 curious about the pivot moments. Was there one decision or one leap of faith that you feel changed your trajectory?
Ekeh: Funny enough it鈥檚 the small moments I said yes to myself, to try. To go for modeling, to live in a new place with no connections, reach out to someone I鈥檝e never met and ask for an opportunity, to take on a job in a new industry. Not that I鈥檇 be successful in every pursuit, I wasn鈥檛 (haha). But by taking the road to start I eventually made it a few places I can be proud of.
You鈥檝e worked with massive brands, but you still talk about service. What inspired that in you?
Ekeh: Faith and mentorship. All of the people I admire most, serve others well, generously, and with love. No exceptions. I want to be like those people.
A lot of students want to 鈥渦nlock their potential,鈥� but that phrase can feel abstract. For you, what did 鈥渦nlocking鈥� actually require?
Ekeh: Unlocking for me means taking on a lifelong journey to learn things, adapt as the world is changing, but never lose the heart of who you are and what you鈥檙e here to do. Every person has a unique and meaningful purpose. It鈥檚 simple, not easy. To unlock yourself you have to fight discouragement, the desire to fit in, and the want of comfort. Growth and ease unfortunately do not share an address or even a zip code.
What鈥檚 still on your bucket list? What鈥檚 up next?
Ekeh: I鈥檓 a dreamer and pushing myself to actually increase their bounds. I would love to speak to over million people in my lifetime and continually uncover the words and stories that help people know they鈥檙e valuable, they matter, and have a reason for being here. I鈥檇 like to be a CMO (Chief Marketing Officer) of a company and later found my own to work with remarkable minds of all backgrounds. And one day, once I can finally distill all the wisdom, experiences, and learning I鈥檝e gathered, I want to pen it into a book that鈥檚 lessons can outlive me and serve more people.
Media Relations
The 糖心视频 Office of Communications fields all media inquiries for the university. Email Rachel.Putman@uafs.edu for more information.
Send%20an%20EmailRachel Rodemann Putman
- Director of Strategic Communications
- 479-788-7132
- rachel.putman@uafs.edu