Meet Baba Amin Ojuok | Education Activist & Master Teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Baba Amin Ojuok and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Baba Amin, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
On this journey, I’m STILL learning how to balance my personal and professional life, even as a husband and father of 8 children. I can be obsessive about my work. I’m also determined to be an active father and husband. Well, when you’re committed to your work, and also committed to spending quality time with your family, there is one person that usually gets neglected…yourself. Long hours, limited sleep, eating unhealthy, processed, and/or fast food out of convenience. Add to that, a chosen endeavor that requires constant communication with others on a very personal level because you’re engaging them regarding their child’s education. On top of that, the service that we are offering, Afrikan-centered/Empowerment-based education, is very uncommon, at the time, where we are from. We were required to be extremely hands-on when it came to introducing and establishing our school in the community. We brought our children along with us, but eventually, our children stopped viewing education conferences and community rallies as “family time”.

Now that we are over 13 years in, the hard work required when we first launched has “paid off”, in the sense that we are much better, and insistent, on achieving a healthy work/life balance. We have four children still at home, and we schedule business around their needs instead of forcing them to adapt to the business. We have an experienced, trustworthy team that can handle things when we need to step away. Having an established name and reputation also allows us to spend less time “introducing ourselves” and more time maintaining and growing what we have built. Our new online learning platform (uhuruacademy.org) will empower us to create more pre-recorded and automated content that will generate revenue streams, that will alleviate the pressure of delivering live content. Most importantly, we have a plan, we know what we want, and we’re confident in the path ahead.

At the Uhuru Academy, we are “impact-driven”. Our goal is to make culturally relevant, empowerment-based education available to people of Afrikan descent across the globe. In pursuing that, we’ve learned that in order to be at our best, we must place our mental, spiritual, and physical well-being at the forefront. Experience has taught us how to integrate self-care seamlessly within our drive for professional success. Getting rest is apart of the job.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
The Uhuru Academy stands as a beacon of Afrikan-centered education, a unique institution where the richness of Afrikan history and the power of Vision Development form the core of our curriculum. After over 30 years, of working with the Black community and youth, I’ve fostered an environment that not only educates but also empowers. What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to an Afrikan-centered, empowerment-based pedagogy, ensuring our students see themselves reflected in every lesson, instilling pride and a deep understanding of their heritage while fostering confidence in their ability to manifest the future.

I’m most proud of the transformative impact we’ve had. Witnessing students blossom into conscious, informed individuals, ready to contribute positively to our community and the wider world, is deeply gratifying. This journey, however, was not without its trials. Building an institution like The Uhuru Academy in a system that often overlooks the necessity of an Afrikan-centered approach was, and is, challenging. The key to overcoming these obstacles was perseverance, community support, and an unshakeable belief in the power and necessity of our mission.

The lessons learned are manifold, but central among them is the importance of resilience and the power of a community united by a common vision. Every challenge faced was a lesson in strength, and every victory was a testament to the power of collective effort.

Through The Uhuru Academy, I want the world to recognize the vitality and necessity of Afrikan-centered education. Our story is one of triumph over adversity, of the enduring spirit of Afrikan resilience and wisdom. It’s more than an institution; it’s a movement, a call to embrace our heritage, and a reminder that education can be a powerful tool for empowerment and change.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
First, I would make sure that my best friend books their stay at one of the 3 air bnb’s we have at our UASC International Learning Center Campus. We would definitely visit and shop at the House of Hathor. We’d hang out at Mobay 2 in Hopkins as well. We’d eat at Mobay 2, Ki Ki’s, and Goat’s. We would definitely make sure to eat some home-cooked, healthy food prepared by Nkoyo Ojuok with vegetables from the UASC International Community Garden. We’d spend time creating music and recording podcasts at Uhuru Media as well.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to honor my wife and business partner, Nkoyo Ojuok. Though The Uhuru Academy was initially my vision, without her support, love, and co-laboring, our school wouldn’t be here. I want to recognize her for being an amazing mother and wife. I also want to “shout out” to her regarding the fact that even while working with me to build the Uhuru Academy, she has also made great strides in manifesting her own vision as a midwife and birth advocate. This year, we’ve launched her vision, Uhuru Mama Birthing Services (www.uhurumama.com). She is already counseling several expectant mothers, providing pre and post-partum consultation, and facilitating natural deliveries. She is an inspiration, and definitely would be a great person to feature in this magazine!

Website: https://uhuruacademy.com

Instagram: @uhuruacademy

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/babaamin/

Twitter: @theuhuruacademy

Facebook: facebook.com/uhuruacademy

Youtube: @BabaAmin

Image Credits
Baba Amin Ojuok