“Aw Chuckwu” … which is an Igbo saying which means “It’s only God”.

No, but seriously!

Many people have asked my Sister and I questions about how our article in The Washington Post came about. We figured we give you a quick behind the scenes look as to how it all happened.

About a month ago, an influential Washington D.C., columnist Mr. Courtland Milloy, reached out to interview Nkem Life for the Washington Post. We had no idea that Mr. Milloy was a well known and popular writer for the Post. He enjoyed our dual, culturally rich Nigerian-American narratives and the work we’ve been doing with I Don’t Do Clubs as Washington D.C. influencers. My Sister and I were honored, shocked and beyond excited to be given this opportunity.

We quickly identified a location in Washington D.C that fully reflected our dual African and American experience and of course has a sprinkle of Maggi but was in Washington D.C. The location was Bukom Café located in Adams Morgan. The both of us have been to the restaurant several times and the experience has always made us feel as though we were between both countries, even it was just for a few minutes, over a flavorful hot meal.

In true NkemLife style, my Sister and I decided to wear our traditional, native lace. Because of our love for fashion and African culture, we chose dresses that we had each individually designed ourselves. We had no idea the level of chaos our dresses would cause on the streets of Adams Morgan.

In our custom gowns we walked out the doors of Bukom Café into the middle of the busy Adams Morgan traffic. As we were standing in the center of the bustling D.C. street, one by one, people from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds stopped  and started to complement our dresses. Some, even wondered if we were famous.

All is noise and chaos took Mr. Courtland by surprise and only peaked his interest in us further. He was in awe as to how people were gravitating towards my Sister and I and how we were interacting with everyone.

One diverse group of friends were so attracted to our light, that they completely stopped where they were going, took the camera from the photographer, and said to him, “you are doing their dresses a disservice, let us take it.” By the end of the shoot they joined us for a quick group shot. We exchanged contact information and the even added us to their snap story for the day. How cool!

This experience from start to end has been truly been an unforgettable moment in both our lives. Everyone single person involved in this experience has re-inspired us to keep going and to keep connecting people from all walks of life. Most importantly, to continue to carry our culture with us everywhere. Thank you to everyone who has supported us thus far.

NkemLife to us is more than just having conversations about life and culture, it is about connecting humanity and inspiring others to connect discover and connect. Not only were we able to bring a bit of Maggi to Washington D.C but all over the world.

If you haven’t read our interview in The Washington Post, Click Here.