Tamkara Adun and her community has revolutionized the way African cultures and histories are taught.

Discover how the founder Tamkara Adun built an engaged learning community as well as an educational line of products which teaches colonized African language and history.

When Tamkara and her husband and their two children moved from Nigeria in the Netherlands, everything changed. The family was immersed into the culture of another nation, Tamkara was fired from her job in HR, and her children were enrolled in a new school.

Tamkara was concerned that with the new school program, the children were learning historical events from an European view that did not cover all African tales, accomplishments or the different civilizations.

She says "They were able to learn a bit about African history, but it was history written in a colonized story that did not mention the significance of their ancestors' ancestral roots. I did not want them to be so absorbed by other's stories that they lost their own. I wanted them to be well-rounded yet also comprehend their African history in a way that is authentic and real for them."

To fill the space, Tamkara decided she would take on the task of learning them herself. She began reading influential African authors, conversing with relatives, and digging into the internet's archives. "As I started to instruct students, I realized that there was much I hadn't been taught," she remembers. "In my course of teaching them, I was also learning about myself."

Tamkara was aware that if her family required the information that she had, the other people might as well.

"It was a journey for me. When I started, I realized there was nothing to be done. The more you know and more, you begin to realize that you're not aware of. It was my goal to keep studying and absorbing this new information, but I also would like to pass on the knowledge. Knowledge is an opportunity sharing it with other people. It is not something you should keep only for yourself."

The belief in this premise was the reason that led Tamkara to create an online business called Odunife that translates to "Year of Love" in Yoruba, and cultivate a community centered on reciprocity. People were excited to go back to history with an African lens. The more she spoke, the more her audience helped her to learn from them.

The contributions of the group, along with her work culminated in education courses and eBooks, an illustrated children's book , a language school  as well as one-on-one coaching programs which expand our understanding of African historical events.

A community that is collaborative in sharing knowledge and learning

Community is the core and soul of Tamkara's company which began with the simple Instagram account . Tamkara was keen to document her experiences learning, even if the content was just visible to a few followers. "It seemed as if there was an echo" she recalls. "I put the content on the web, however, there was no response."

Slowly, Tamkara became acquainted with other people who were keen on African history from an African-centered, decolonized view. The more articles Tamkara posted and shared, the more people became involved in conversation with her. They reblogged her posts as well as adding their own friends to the list. People who follow Tamkara have also begun sharing their experience and expertise in order to build a learning space.

"It's an exchange of information where I exchange information however I'm also learning."

"I write something  that I want to share with others, and those who read comments may expand upon the notion," she explains. "It's an educational community that allows us to gain more knowledge of historical events and events that occurred during the past."

Tamkara gained fame by connecting with the creators of her field, guest blogging, and leading with passion.

The first time, Tamkara contacted thought leaders she liked through directly or via comments. She told them their posts struck her as relevant and shared their content in order to amplify their voice. She would frequently go to her blog and follow her with the intention of reciprocity.

The viewers were able to tell that she was very enthusiastic about what she did. "People are able to tell that you're passionate about what you're doing. It builds trust and builds loyalty. I focused on posting good content that people be inclined to share with others, and getting my name in front of more people," she elaborates.

In less than two years her account on Instagram grew from 50 followers to 24,000 followers.

Tamkara's social network has been the foundation of her efforts through the entire process. Together with her fans, they have created an environment of positive feedback where all members can learn and share their knowledge with others. With such a wealth of knowledge, Tamkara knew it was time to go bigger and make her own product.

Fill in the empty space by implementing solutions that are driven by the community.

"I always take note of individuals. In many instances, particularly on Instagram users share what they're looking for. If something that me and you are searching for doesn't exist and I'm compelled in trying to bring this possibility."

Additionally, she wrote a children's book titled Osasu as well as the Great Wall of the Benin Empire . It told the story of African innovation that she wanted her children to remember and she knew that a lot of households within the local community would be interested in the book's celebration of African culture and heritage.

"It's great to be able to recognize other histories that belong to different parts of the globe however, African kids must have a grasp of their history too. It helps build self-esteem and confidence in oneself," she elaborates. "I consider that each tale, each story deserves a place on the screen."

The school for language was next.

African Maafa

Then she started facilitating free group language sessions in order to help her learn her mother tongue in a relaxed learning environment. "Anyone could join Zoom and attend. There was plenty of entertainment. It was full of laughter. I could see the difference, and an excitement."

Then Tamkara made contact with the instructors of different languages in Africa in order to create an online school of language .

Then, when crowd members came up to her, and began asking questions that required complex responses, Tamkara created a 1:1 coaching offer.

"A number of people send me questions. I'd like to find time to answer all of them. But, some require more effort thinking as well as energy and energy. Coaching packages allow us to be able to discuss all aspects of the issue."

Through her work with her community Tamkara constantly identifies needs and fulfills them by providing products which share knowledge and love, as well as the joy of sharing.

: A versatile platform for multi-passionate entrepreneurs

With a wide array of interests and a never-ending list of ideas, Tamkara needed a place to work on her artistic endeavors. It brought her to .

"I was looking for a platform which would offer my versatility," Tamkara reflects. "I get up every day with numerous ideas running through my head. I wanted a platform that would allow me to have all my ideas on one platform."

"Having an experienced team member when I encounter technical issues takes away the stress and pressure of having to solve the problem on my own. I am grateful that she has not just been there for me but partnered with me to develop the direction of my business," she says.

"I'm big on communicating and enjoy having multiple touchpoints with family and friends. While I'm online I can talk to them instantly. In the event that I'm not available I'll receive an email notification so I'm in a position to contact them. It's also possible to send broadcast emails to my full viewers or to groups of individuals who are interested in any of my services. It's changed the game."

Simply put, creators need devices that allow them to do the best work. Like Tamkara states, " eliminates the technical tension , and allows me to concentrate on my creative projects, which is precisely what I excel at. Someone is there to assist and help me out, which is truly valuable."

Tamkara's suggestion: Find support and chase your dreams

As she built Odunife, Tamkara learned how important it is having an empowering system to make daring actions. Tamkara recommends other people to take the same approach.

Focus on your strengths and don't do by yourself

It is common of business leaders to take on a variety of hats. Tamkara insists on the fact that there is no way to be able to do everything by themselves. "You can't do everything," Tamkara emphasizes. "Figure out how to do it most effectively and focus your efforts on it. If you're not as proficient, seek help from others who can aid you."

Do not sit around waiting until everything is perfect

Are you a person with a story that you would wish to share with world? Tamkara is determined to take that leap and becoming a better person along the way.

"Don't believe that everything is perfectly, since they'll never be flawless." Tamkara says.

"The process of learning lies done by learning. If you have an idea, commit into consideration. There's no way to know what's going to result out of it. It's likely that your original plan will alter as you go through several iterations as you go ahead. But if you wait to be sure then you're likely to never get started."

It will be easy to discover what you would like to achieve, and find strategies to get there when you start.

"We could learn to cut trees by making them cut." -"African Proverb"

All that Tamkara is aware of as an artist was acquired on the job. It's a bit daunting beginning from the ground up. But nothing is going to happen until you've taken that first step .

"A most people could not see my vision, but I had faith in my own conviction that this was something I had to accomplish. Most of the time, intuitively, we know that we don't be able to physically sense. If your subconscious will be telling you to act or your heart may be calling you to pursue something, investigate it and take that step."

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