- Alumni
In 2016, Oludara Adeeyo, MSW’19, embarked on a major life change to heal herself from traumatic experiences, and regain a sense of optimism for what she could offer to the world. Now, she is helping other Black women to do the same.
Combining her self-care journey, graduate education, experience as a licensed clinical social worker and ability to craft a story, Adeeyo has published a series of self-care books focused on supporting the well-being of Black women, improving their wellness for Black women together,” Adeeyo said.
A journey to realizing self-care
Adeeyo began her professional career as a journalist, and dreamed of one day becoming a magazine editor. Shortly after receiving her degree in journalism and women’s studies, Adeeyo landed a job at Cosmopolitan Magazine in New York. Initially, she felt like a valued member of the team. However, after five years in the industry, she was experiencing severe stress and depression.
“In the beginning it was a pleasant experience,” Adeeyo said. “But then I began to experience what now I can label as workplace trauma — a lot of bullying, harassment and probably workplace racism.”
Around the same time, her mother became seriously ill with complications from an auto-immune disease. Adeeyo began caring for her mother every day before and after work and on the weekends, until she passed away in 2013.
“I didn’t really see a future in journalism anymore,” Adeeyo said. “Nothing enticed me about it. Several friends were also questioning their initial career choices and talking about alternatives.” One of them suggested Adeeyo explore the possibility of social work.
Sharing her skills with other Black women
Adeeyo visited Los Angeles in 2016 for an open house at USC. She fell in love with the city and the Master of Social Work (MSW) program. She was accepted as an MSW student, and chose to focus on how to empower and educate Black women about their wellness and <a FACULTY NAME, a professor in the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work” (LINK: https://dworakpeck.usc.edu)
