Welcome back to Her Campus Spotlight — our first of 2022! As we celebrate launch week with Black History Month-inspired content, we’re also highlighting Black students that are already emerging leaders right here at Penn. We’re so excited to start our student spotlight series with Olatide (Ola) Abinusawa. Learn more about him below!
Olatide (Ola) Abinusawa is a junior in the School of Arts and Sciences (C’23) with a major in Economics and a minor in Consumer Psychology. He was raised right outside of Philly in a town called Horsham, but both of his parents were born and raised in Nigeria, making Nigerian tradition and culture important to him. Ola is active in Kesem, a nonprofit organization that helps run a week-long camp in the summer for children whose parents have been afflicted by cancer. He is also on the university’s Track and Field team.
Pronouns: He/him
Birthday: June 9, 2001
What does Black History Month mean to you?: To me, Black History Month is a month dedicated to honor Black individuals throughout history and to reflect on their struggles and victories.
How are you celebrating Black History Month?: I’m spending time to learn more about important Black historical figures that have made an impact on my life in any way. Whether they are a social activist, a musician, or an athlete, I believe it’s important to recognize who they were.
How can we support the Black community and Black causes beyond February?: Continue to explore Black history and not just in this month. A single month isn’t nearly long enough to truly understand the impact that many have made.
Extracurriculars: Track and Field, Kesem (feel free to donate here)
Favorite place on campus: Franklin Field
Spotify or Apple Music? Spotify by far. No question
Current favorite TV show: Atlanta, AOT, Community, Bel-Air
What’s on your bucket list: Skydiving
Best self-care tip: Drinking a nice bottle of Strawberry Nesquik
Lesson you learned in college: Things happen that you aren’t able to control and it’s on you to learn how to handle that.
Go-to GoPuff order?: That &pizza group order deal
Thank you, Ola, for sharing your story and perspective with us!