Meet Ada Ari

We were lucky to catch up with Ada Ari recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ada, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

I didn’t find my purpose all at once — it revealed itself in layers. I’m a Nigerian immigrant, a mom of two, and for a long time, I was doing what many of us are taught to do: climb the corporate ladder, check the boxes, play it safe. But something always tugged at me — a quiet frustration that my kids were growing up with so little access to their cultural roots. I wanted them to see themselves in books. To hear their native languages. To feel proud of where they come from.

The real turning point came during bedtime reading with my kids. We were going through the usual books you’d find in any American household when a thought hit me — what about the stories I grew up hearing? The ancient folktales from back home that were full of wisdom, wonder, and culture? So I told them one. And just like that, they were hooked — eyes wide, hanging onto every word. That moment lit something in me.

What started as one self-published book turned into dozens of titles, the largest collection of African language board books in the world, and a global movement to preserve heritage for the next generation. I’ve now visited hundreds of schools across the U.S., sharing interactive African storytelling programs and watching children of all backgrounds fall in love with the continent’s culture.

Purpose, for me, wasn’t about chasing success. It was about preserving something sacred. It was about giving children something I didn’t have growing up — a deep pride in who they are. And once I aligned with that, everything else began to unfold.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m the founder of KOLI & OLUM — a children’s brand on a mission to preserve African heritage and language through beautifully illustrated books, engaging educational materials, and interactive storytelling experiences. What started with a single folktale I shared with my kids has now grown into a global brand with almost 40 titles and fulfillment hubs across multiple continents.

We’ve created the largest collection of African language board books in the world, covering 25 languages and counting — everything from Yoruba and Twi to Amharic, Swahili, and Xhosa. These high-quality books help young children build vocabulary while staying connected to their roots. And for families simply looking for more diverse representation, we recently released an English box set featuring brown-skinned characters that celebrate identity and possibility.

In addition to the language books, I’ve written a growing series of African folktale picture books — each one retelling a story from the continent and pairing it with a geography lesson, culture cards, and stickers to make the experience immersive and fun.

We also recently launched the Discover Africa activity book series. These books combine early learning skills like tracing, coloring, and counting with real cultural context — children might count Kenyan shillings, trace the Makurdi Railway Bridge in Nigeria, learn about Zambia’s Ifilundu barkcloth clothing, or spot differences in traditional Ghanaian homes. It’s everyday developmental learning infused with pride, history, and heritage.

Beyond products, I host a program called African Storytelling Reimagined that brings these stories to life in classrooms, libraries, and museums across the U.S. I’ve visited hundreds of schools to date — dancing with students, sharing authentic African artifacts, and giving children a firsthand experience of the continent’s culture and traditions.

What excites me most is knowing that every book, every session, every moment helps preserve a piece of culture that might otherwise be lost. And that it plants seeds of pride in young readers — especially those in the diaspora — who deserve to see themselves and their stories reflected in the world around them.

We’ve recently secured major retail partnerships, including with Kohl’s, and are working to expand access even further. Up next: we’re developing digital content — including a gamified language and culture app — to bring these stories and experiences to children around the world, wherever they are.

At the heart of everything we do is impact — 10% of proceeds support orphanages across Africa. So every purchase supports both literacy and legacy.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, here are the three most impactful lessons and qualities that have shaped my journey:

1. Every part of your journey is on purpose.
Even the roles I once saw as “dead ends” — like my first job working what was essentially a call center — taught me skills I lean on every single day. At the time, I didn’t have a big master plan. I was just working to pay bills. But now I see how it all fits together: that job taught me how to connect with people virtually, how to cold pitch, how to communicate clearly and consistently. Later roles gave me strategy, data skills, and the foundation I needed to build and run a business from the ground up. And it wasn’t just work — my personal life, the people I met, the experiences I had — they all shaped how I lead, build teams, navigate partnerships, and serve my audience. So my advice: don’t dismiss any part of your journey. It’s all working together for something greater than you might see right now.

2. Do it afraid.
I was scared when I started this business. Terrified, actually. But bravery doesn’t mean being fearless — it means moving forward anyway. If fear keeps you frozen, your chances of success are 0%. But if you take the leap, you’ve already raised your odds to 50/50 — and more often than not, it’ll land in your favor. Fear is powerful, but action is more powerful. The truth is, so many people stay stuck wondering “what if.” My advice? Give yourself the chance to find out.

3. There is only one you.
This mindset has freed me to share openly and collaborate generously. A lot of people hold back out of fear — fear of someone stealing their idea or outshining them. But your true value isn’t just the idea — it’s you. No one else has your perspective, your voice, your way of connecting, your ability to pivot and problem-solve. And believe it or not, most people actually want to see you win. Collaboration, not isolation, is how you grow. Be open. Share your ideas. Get feedback from unexpected places. The universe is conspiring to prosper you — but you’ve got to show up and stay open to receive it.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Yes, I’m absolutely open to partnerships and collaborations — especially ones rooted in education, culture, retail, or global impact. I’d love to connect with:

Educators and school districts looking to diversify their curriculum with African stories, languages, and interactive cultural programs.

Retailers and bookstores who want to offer diverse, high-quality children’s products rooted in heritage and representation.

App developers or ed-tech collaborators passionate about building culturally grounded learning tools for kids.

Foundations or mission-aligned investors who believe in preserving heritage and empowering children of the diaspora.

Libraries, museums, and cultural institutions interested in programming or product placement.

The work I do sits at the intersection of culture, childhood development, education, and empowerment. If that speaks to you, let’s talk. You can reach me directly through my website www.ada-ari.com or email me at [email protected].

There’s so much power in partnership — and I believe there’s room for all of us to grow, build, and make meaningful impact together.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.koliolum.com
• Instagram: @koli.olum