Wednesday Wonder Woman: Chichi Nwoko

Chichi Nwoko is the CEO of Hey, What’s ON (HWO,) a New York and Lagos-based multi-media consulting and production company.  She is an Executive Director at Inview, a technology company helping to drive the Digital Switchover in Nigeria. She also serves as the Associate Director of Sports Rights and Media Partnerships for Integral, a sports marketing company working on sports rights like the Premier League and the 2020 Olympics. Nwoko was the Country Manager of Kwese Free Sports, a Free-to-Air broadcast station in Lagos, Nigeria.  In her capacity, she drove commercialization initiatives and activations on major sports franchises like the FIFA World Cup, Olympics, Premier League, NBA, and NFL.   

Nwoko is one of the producers of the feature film “Lion Heart,” Netflix’s first West African original acquisition.  She is also the recipient of the 2016 Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards for her role as a producer in the feature film “Road To Yesterday.”  She was the Executive Producer, and the Producer of the CBS franchise “Kids Say The Darndest Things” in Nigeria. Nwoko worked with Optima Media Group (OMG) as the Deputy Director of International Sponsorship and Sales and Group’s Development Strategy; she spearheaded the Fremantle franchise production, Idols in Nigeria.  Her success with building the Idols framework led the company to produce X Factor and Got Talent in Nigeria. 

Her achievements have been recognized by Forbes Africa and The National Association of Black Female Executives in Music and Entertainment (NABFEME), who named her an “Executive to Watch.”  In 2018, she was named top 100 Most Influential People of African Descent. She began her media and broadcast career over 20 years ago, working for ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX TV Network Affiliates. She graduated with honors, Columbia University in New York City, where she studied International Politics and African Studies.  She is married and a mother of two amazing boys.

 

Christina: What is your SwagHer? What makes Chichi, Chichi?

Chichi:  I don’t take myself too seriously; I love to laugh, and I love to make people laugh. When it comes to me achieving my goals and passions, I am relentless and focused.  

Christina: Tell us a little about Hey, What’s ON. What services do you all offer?

Chichi:  Hey, What’s ON is a company that I started to create premium content, which would appeal to the African and African Diaspora Markets. We offer production services and consult businesses that are working to navigate the media space in Africa. 

Christina: You were a producer on Netflix’s first West African original film, “LionHeart.” How was that experience?

Chichi:  Working on “LionHeart” stretched me as a person and as a producer. I had the opportunity to work with an amazing crew who wowed me every day. The project reinforced my belief in Africa’s talent and our ability to do so much with so little. 

Christina: How was your experience with Take Back The Mic?

Chichi:  I really appreciated the opportunity to tell the stories of the Take Back The Mic—Africa contestants in Nigeria. Each of them is unique, and they are extremely talented and passionate about their craft. The experience gave me a greater appreciation for the challenges most African youths have to surmount to gain access to few and far between opportunities. My hat goes off to AMP GLOBAL for creating this platform and providing this opportunity. 

Christina: Define success in your own words.

Chichi:  Success for me is being comfortable in your own skin. Success is realizing that you are like no one else and your path in life is as unique as your fingerprint. Finding your path in life and confidently walking in it is my ultimate definition of success. 

Christina: Did you grow up in Nigeria? How did moving to New York impact your life?

Chichi: I consider myself a “Global Citizen.” I was born in Dublin, Ireland, but lived in Trinidad, Mali, Gambia, Nigeria, and then I moved to New York when I was 12. I would have to say that my favorite place in the world is New York City—it’s the faces, the fashion, and the fast pace. Even though I moved out of New York to the Chocolate City, I could not wait for an opportunity to return, which I did as a student at Columbia University—this is where and when my love for my Blackness and Africa was amplified.  

Christina: You are an important factor in many entertainment companies. How do you practice self-care? 

Chichi: Most people that know me will tell you that I never sleep, but I am working on changing that. I am learning not to feel guilty about shutting down. I like to clear my mind at home with the kind of music you hear at the spa and think of all the things I am grateful for clearing my mind.

Christina: Who or what inspires you?

Chichi: My parents inspire me, and I am inspired by my children. Thoughts of them keep me going in the toughest times. 

Christina: What can we expect next from Chichi?

Chichi: Chichi is about to make the world turn!!! I will continue to tell stories and work together to create environments to help others tell their stories.  

Christina: Do you have any upcoming events or projects you would like our readers to know about?

Chichi: I do, but I can’t say much about it at the moment. Let’s just say that when I started my career in broadcasting over 20 years ago, my goal was to elevate the broadcast industry in Africa and collaborate with African-Americans. I have always wanted to bridge that gap because our stories are only complete when we tell them together. I am well on my way to realizing this dream.

Christina: Is there anything else you would like to share?

Chichi:  The last thing that I want to share is that nothing that happens in our lives is a mistake. So whether you are in the valley or on top of the mountain, everything is working together for your good. 

 

Connect with Chichi below:

Instagram:@chichinwoko

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chichinwoko/