Describe a man who has positively impacted your life.
There is a man, seven years my elder, whose name carries the weight of kindness—Jide Odukoya. In the light of memory, I see him first, steady hands teaching a seven-year-old me the art of knotting a tie. That moment, simple yet profound, whispered the first truths about who I might become.
Jide was the first to see me, really see me. He named gifts I had yet to discover—public speaking, a presence that could hold a room. His words were seeds, planted deep, sprouting confidence where uncertainty once grew.
He opened doors, introducing me to people I dared not dream of knowing, and nudged me gently forward when I hesitated.
When I knew nothing about fashion, he unearthed my hidden flair. “You have a style, distinct and bold,” he said, insisting I style his wedding. A task for a novice, yet he trusted me completely. That trust birthed my fashion brand, my life’s work.
Jide is more than a cousin; he is my big brother, a guardian of dreams, a believer in the unseen. His impact ripples through my life, a testament to what it means to uplift, to empower, to love.
As I turn a new age tomorrow, I hold gratitude for a man like Jide. We all need a big brother like him—a steady hand, a guiding voice, a heart that expands yours.
Michael Okunloro | Elevate Your Style 