Miracle Olatunji—what a miracle she is! One could find her in lecture at Northeastern University one minute and writing a book or speaking at a conference the next—all at the age of nineteen. Miracle is a remarkably accomplished entrepreneur, activist, and public speaker at her modest age, yet she remains humble, always wondering how she could leverage her successes to inspire more change in the world. Her story speaks for itself.
When did you get involved in entrepreneurship, and what inspired you to make change in this way?
When I was in high school, I participated in an incredible youth entrepreneurship program called the Diamond Challenge. I credit it for helping me to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and having the opportunity to make friends from all over the world. I was enthralled by the challenging and exciting process of solving problems, creating value, and making a difference. I was so inspired by many young entrepreneurs I met, who were working on ventures that made a significant impact on the lives of other people and in society! I wanted to do that too!
How does your age inform your activism? In the business world, do you feel that being young is an obstacle, an advantage, or a mixture of both?
I’m so proud to be a member of Generation Z. We’re truly making real change and working to create a better present and future for all of us. I was selected for this year’s “25 Young Futurists & Game-changers’ list. It’s exciting to be in the company of other young people who are passionate about making a difference-- in business, media, social justice, healthcare, technology, and more. We’ve always heard that young people are the future but this list reminds me that we don’t have to wait until “the future” to make a difference- the future is now!
How have you continued your activism in college?
I participated in the Women’s March in January and loved the theme which was “until all voices are heard!” I continue to use my voice to uplift others and inspire others to realize the power of their voice. I’m involved in various initiatives to increase and support women and people of color in business and tech. I recently did a project on gender equality with Melinda Gates and the Harvard Business Review. Here’s the link to it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HchyqPO8K0I&feature=youtu.be
How has your education influenced how you educate others?
I’ve attended each of the various American school system types: private, public, homeschool, and charter. Education and opportunity are two passions of mine because of how positively both can impact people’s lives.
What sorts of audiences have you spoken before, and what have you discussed?
I’ve had the opportunity to speak to diverse audiences at various conferences and events nationally and internationally. I speak about entrepreneurship and innovation, diversity and inclusion (& belonging!), financial literacy, and education. One of my favorites this year was the She Geeks Out Summit where I spoke about overcoming imposter syndrome and knowing your worth.
Can you talk about OpportuniMe?
In high school, I decided to start OpportuniMe after I realized how time-consuming and stressful the process of searching for summer programs and opportunities was for me and thousands of young students around the country. OpportuniMe helped connect high school students to opportunities to help them explore possible careers, build their network, and get a head start on finding and developing their passions before they head off to college.
What honors have you accrued from your work? How have they enabled you to expand your efforts?
I’m humbled to have been honoured as a Young Global Leadership Scholar, a Woman to Watch, Youth Entrepreneur of the Year, and the grand prize winner of the World Series of Entrepreneurship. Aside from this, the most rewarding aspect is being told that I was inspiring people to make a difference and to create solutions that positively impact others. One moment when I realized this was last fall semester when I had the opportunity to speak at Harvard’s Young Women In Business and Leadership Conference, and one of the high school students in the audience came up to me afterwards and told me this. This was so humbling, encouraging, and reminded me of my PURPOSE and my WHY behind my work.
What inspired you to write your book?
My book, Purpose:How To Live and Lead With Impact, is for anyone and everyone who wants to make a difference in not only their lives, but in the lives of others, their communities, companies and organisations, and the world. It’s full of inspiring stories and actionable insights for readers of all ages. My hope is that the book will inspire fellow young women especially to realise that, as Michelle Obama said, there is no limit to what we as women can accomplish.
Who are your role models?
My top 5 are: Oprah Winfrey, Sallie Krawcheck, Robert Smith, Carla Harris, and Tiffany Pham! I am inspired by not only their career success, but also how they give back, mentor, and empower others.
What advice would you impart to young changemakers?
You have the potential to make a difference in the world, but you can’t do it alone. Create your own personal life and career “board of advisors” which consists of people who support and push you to be the best possible version of yourself. This may include family, friends, mentors, sponsors, coaches, and more.
Words by Xavier Evans