21 Under 21 Series: Vanessa Chizoba Agunobi

Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina

Major: Journalism: Advertising/Public Relations track

Vanessa Chizoba Agunobo is currently a junior at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She hopes to become a creative strategist at an advertising agency that caters to clients in the lifestyle, music and entertainment industry. She is very involved on campus, serving as the Hussman Ambassador Program President, a Podcast Production Manager, and an Experimental Designer for PUMA. She derives inspiration from Rihanna, saying “Rihanna is very inspiring to me; she proves it is possible to be multifaceted and succeed in any path of your choosing while being a unique badass. She is fierce, driven, talented, generous, and more. We can no longer put her into one box to explain who she is or what she can do, but she never seizes to keep the world on their toes as she dives into new endeavors. I hope to have the same effect one day”.

What does your work on campus and beyond mean to you? Why is it worthwhile or rewarding for you?

It is rewarding to know that I can be a resource for individuals who are seeking to become their best selves, whether that is from giving life advice to helping someone boost their presence on LinkedIn. There is no better feeling than knowing that I can positively impact someone's life. I want to help people see that if you trust the light in you that is burning to reach it's highest potential, there is glory in the end, and you will begin to be showered with blessings.

How does your identity - your culture, queerness, citizenship status, etc. - motivate your work?

“I want to be a pioneer for my fellow Nigerian / African peers who may feel discouraged from following their passion because of external social factors that dismiss their dream. It is even more challenging to be a member of the Hussman school because there are not many people accessible for me to seek mentoring opportunities that share a similar background as me. This school is predominantly occupied by white, middle to upper-class females who can thrive due to their class and race privilege. I would love to see more women of color on the Hussman School Board of Advisors or Hall of Fame. Young women who are younger than me must view people that look similar to them accomplishing and discovering their purpose.”