Celebrating Ndi-Igbo

One to watch Chinelo Okparanta received her BA in Secondary Education (French, English & Communications) from the Pennsylvania State University, her MA in English (17th & 18th Century British Literature, or The Restoration) from Rutgers University, and her MFA in Fiction from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Among other honors, she is the recipient of the Coral Lansbury Graduate Award for Academic Excellence at Rutgers University, and the Dean’s Graduate Fellowship at the University of Iowa. She was one of Granta's six New Voices for 2012 and has stories forthcoming from Conjunctions, Subtropics, and elsewhere. Granta is a literary magazine and publisher in the United Kingdom whose mission centers on its "belief in the power and urgency of the story, both in fiction and non-fiction, and the story’s supreme ability to describe, illuminate and make real.

Ogo Offodile is a New York based fashion stylist whose passion for creative expression and eclectic work can been seen across new stands, billboards, and numerous red carpets. Best known for her work styling Solange Knowles, her experiences range from styling fashion editorials to advertisements, campaigns, music videos, celebrity styling, brand consulting, and much more. She attributes a large portion of her creative influences to the "geek" in her and derives strengths from her vibrant multicultural Nigerian background. With a boundless creative vision, keen eye for detail and versatile approach to styling that explores the unique experiential relationship with fashion, art and technology it is no wonder her work has carved its unique signature and captivated the attention of A-list celebrities and publications like Vogue, Glamour, Harper's Bazaar, In Style, Marie Claire, and Women's Wear Daily.

Nigerian-American model Adaora Akubilo (@AdaoraAkubilo) is one of the few models who got a coveted spot in Sports Illustrated’s 2012 Swuimsuit Edition. The annual swimsuit issue has elevated the careers of supermodels and superstars including Tyra Banks and Beyonce. Adaora was photographed by Walter Iooss Jr. in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. Born in Windsor, Connecticut, USA, Adaora has worked for Garnier Nutrisse, Burt’s Bees, Verizon Wireless,Target, Zappos, House of Dereon, Ray Ban, Essence, Seventeen, Abercrombie, Glamour, CosmoGirl, Agatha, Mary Kay, YourProm, Jewel and Ebony Magazine. One to watch!