Meet Ope Adebanjo

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ope Adebanjo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ope, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

It’s funny how the process of finding your purpose is less new discovery and more rediscovery. Like most people, I had activities that I enjoyed engaging is as a child. Things like reading, writing pretend contracts for my brother, and telling my family and friends elaborate stories and mysteries. But as often happens to most people, going through school and academic environments, that clarity on what I enjoyed and what I was passionate about got drowned out by what was most prestigious or what paid the most. As I was wrapping up my law school degree and was preparing to re-enter the real world again, I had to ask myself deep questions about who I was and what I wanted to do with my life. A few questions guided this process that I believe would help others as they search for their purpose as well.

1. Are you committed to not live a template life? Before you can begin the search (or rediscovery) of your purpose, you have to dispel the belief that your purpose will come pre-packaged in a job title or career path. It may not. It may just be a few skills or interest areas that deeply resonate with you. It could be as simple as talking to people or sharing ideas. Whatever tasks get you excited to work on them as a good clue as to what your purpose could be. But you have to be willing to follow the trail of breadcrumbs as far as they will take you. Don’t stop when something you like doesn’t fit what others expect of you. If you’re a lawyer who loves to draw, then be courageous enough to buck the trend and find a way to make that happen. A template life can give the appearance of certainty and stability, but you lose the opportunity chart your own course that will feel authentic to you are.

2. What do you do when you’re bored in class? This one is a favorite of mine. I always found that when I was bored in class, I would write a poem. It would be about anything, something the professor had just said or something I noticed on my way to class. But the process of sculpting and kneading the words in the poem into some beautiful thought always had a way of waking me up and reenergizing me. It’s no wonder I became a writer. The things that energize and wake us up are the things that make us feel alive. I would describe your purpose as the thing that makes you feel alive. It’s the healthiest and highest call of your mind, body, and soul. It’s often a deep feeling that makes you feel happy and fulfilled at the same time.

3. What does the world need from me? I believe our purpose shouldn’t just be about us. Our purpose is to help others. So asking yourself what the world needs now can be a great way to connect with what problems you are passionate about solving. If it bothers you, there’s probably a reason for that. Whether it’s food insecurity or the epidemic of loneliness, the thing that tugs at your heart and makes you feel deeply moved is get what – what will move you to action. So connecting what you love to do with what the world needs most is the recipe for a beautiful and authentic purpose statement.

I found my purpose over the course of a few years, both through intentional reflection and through trying new initiatives that got me moving. Finding your purpose is an ongoing pursuit. One that asks you to look back at who you were as a child, look around at what excites you today, and look forward to how you can impact the world with the mightiness in your spirit.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

My name is Ope. I am a Harvard Law School-educated lawyer and mystery fiction author. While my interests are broad, they all center around a central core—law. This interdisciplinary approach allows me to connect with diverse audiences and bring unique perspectives. As someone very passionate about law and artificial intelligence and legal innovation, I advise students and lawyers on how best to leverage their legal expertise in the 21st century. I am the author of The Food Lover’s Guide to Law, a fun and engaging visual study aid.

My journey is one of balancing worlds. Growing up as a first-generation Nigerian-American in the USA, I found my connection to Nigeria through the fashion, culture, and literature that enriched my life from afar. Inspired by the country I call home in my heart, I also wrote The League Of Style, a thrilling mystery novel series in the Nigerian fashion industry. The League of Style is my debut fiction novel.

At the core of everything I do is a mission of connection and aspiration. I want to help young people look toward the future with confidence and boldness. I aim to provide aspiring lawyers with the tools and inspiration to achieve their dreams. Through my stories, I hope to offer a connection to home for Africans in the diaspora. I believe that by empowering the next generation, we can build a future where talent and creativity lead the way in bettering lives across the continent and beyond. Through my work, I hope to inspire a new generation of African millennials and Gen Zs to pursue their dreams, use their talents, and make a lasting impact on the world. Whether through law or storytelling, my journey is about finding a way forward—a way that is hopeful, beautiful, and centered on making a difference.

My new book The League of Style is out now at leagueofstyleseries.com, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The three skills that have been most impactful in my journey are creativity, courage, and resilience. I believe that when you add all three together, you get a powerhouse combination that I life to call strategic determination. Creativity allows you to cast the vision. Whether it’s for your career, your art, or your business, being willing to dream big can be the most important first step. After law school, everyone told me the only jobs I could get were law firm associate positions or clerking for a judge. I instead allowed myself to dream big, imagining my dream job in my head and doing everything I could to find it. My first job out of law school ended up being a strategy consultant at a legal AI startup. It was amazing and a very rare opportunity that only came because I was looking for it, believing that it existed out there. Courage is the next skill that’s very crucial. When doing something new, you won’t have a chance to taste-test first. Often, you have to jump in a bit unprepared and uncertain. But the courage to start imperfectly allowed me to take chances in writing my first book and learning how to run businesses at a young age. I knew I would have to start eventually, so I made it a mission to start as soon as I could. Finally, resilience is an impactful skill. I admittedly thought I was pretty resilient until I had to learn how to run a business. Little did I know that I had so much more to learn. Resilience is actually three skills. Navigating disappointments, rejections, and setbacks. Deciding to keep going by connecting to your why. And determining the best course forward. The more times you repeat this trifecta, the easier it will be to rinse and repeat each time a challenge presents itself. But early on, it can be easy to believe that setbacks mean you weren’t meant for this. The opposite is true. Setbacks are reminders to check in with yourself and ask if you really want this. If the answer is yes, then start the trifecta of resilience and watch yourself come back even stronger.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I am currently looking for digital artists in the African diaspora and at home to work on illustrations for The League of Style series. They are visual novels so they include awesome visuals of the characters and the fashion of Lagos and Nigeria. I’d love to work with artists passionate about this kind of imagery to help bring the exciting stories to life.

You can find more information on the series at leagueofstyleseries.com.
Connect with my via email at [email protected] or on instagram at @opeoadebanjo.

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