Today we’d like to introduce you to Onaedo Ezenwa.
Hi Onaedo, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am a freshman now, but the part of my journey that truly shaped me began in eighth grade. Middle school experiences may not carry the same weight as those in high school, yet I made the most of every opportunity I could find. Those early roles and events helped me understand who I was becoming.In middle school I felt like a big fish in a little pond, and high school became the place where I set my sights on becoming a big fish in a much bigger pond. From the first day of high school, I knew I wanted to establish myself and find spaces where I could grow. I have always been drawn to business and law, and I care deeply about leadership and making an impact. Instead of waiting for opportunities to appear, I went after them. Since August, I have applied to more student led organizations than I can count. Whether I am volunteering, contributing to a project, or learning from people who inspire me, each experience has taken me somewhere new. These opportunities have made me more involved, more confident, and more connected to leaders who challenge me to grow. Everything I am doing now is helping me build real skills and understand what it means to show up for my community. I am using all of these experiences as the foundation for something bigger in the future. One day, I want to build a student led organization of my own that can grow beyond what people typically expect, and every step I take now is intentional preparation for that goal.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I would say that compared to many people, my road has been relatively smooth. Most of my challenges have been internal rather than external. The biggest one has come from being a freshman trying to establish myself among older students. There is always that feeling that you have to prove yourself, and at the same time you do not want to come across as bossy or like you are trying to take over. I am naturally a doer, and I like to get things done, but sometimes that can feel like too much in certain spaces. I had to learn through experience that I do not need to take on everything to show that I am capable. Once I understood that, I started trusting that my work speaks for itself. That shift helped me find a healthier balance and feel more grounded in what I bring to the table.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have a lot to say about this one! I’m a student, but much of my work happens outside the classroom. Inside of school, I stay involved through Student Government, speech and debate, track, and several other activities that keep me connected to my school community. Beyond that, I work with a wide network of student‑led organizations focused on community impact. Through Voice4You, which is a podcast that amplifies youth voices, and Opportunity Bridge 901, which expands access to extracurricular opportunities in Memphis, I support students who are often overlooked. I’m also helping rebuild the Memphis chapter of Rhizome which is all about youth participation in helping our communities, volunteering with Youth Court through the Shelby County Juvenile Court, starting an Amplify chapter that explores the intersection of business and psychology, and stepping into an Executive role with ElevateHerFinance, which empowers young girls through financial education. Across all of these spaces, I stay focused on learning, contributing, and helping create environments where students feel seen and supported. Out of everything I’ve done, being one of only six freshmen selected for my school’s Student Government stands out the most. Coming straight from middle school, that moment showed me I could step into real leadership roles early on and belong in rooms where meaningful decisions are made. It gave me the confidence to pursue the opportunities I’m involved in now and set the foundation for the work I’m doing. What sets me apart is that I’m often the youngest person in the rooms I enter. I didn’t wait to get involved. I started early and committed deeply, and being surrounded by older students and leaders has pushed me to rise to the level of the spaces I’m in. It has helped me build confidence, strong relationships, and a sense of purpose much earlier than most.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
People can work with me by supporting the organizations I’m involved in and taking the time to understand the missions behind them. The work I do is bigger than me, and the real impact comes from the teams and communities I’m part of. When people engage with these groups, share their work, or simply pay attention, it genuinely helps. There are also ways to support the projects I’m building personally, but what matters most is that people take youth voices seriously. When young people speak up, we do not need anything complicated. We just need someone willing to listen and offer opportunities when they can. That might mean helping with a new chapter someone is launching or providing a space to run workshops or connect with students who want to learn something new. Supporting the work as a whole is ultimately the best way to support me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ona_ezenwa
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/onaedo-ezenwa-19b264372
