As a Nigerian American, Nkechi Ogbodo is committed to empowering girls of color in Africa and America. She believes in providing selected girls in Nigeria access to education and exposing girls in America to the rich cultural history of Africa.  Nkechi’s experience in the fashion industry, such as having worked at Saks Fifth Avenue as a Brand Specialist for Elie Tahari and Piazza Sempione provided her with the opportunity to work with people from diverse backgrounds. Despite her successes at Saks Fifth Avenue as one of the top producers in the company, she felt that something was still missing. Therefore, it was her passion to make a difference in the lives of others that led to her resignation at Saks Fifth Ave to start Kechie’s Project Inc.  

  Kechie’s Project is a unique nonprofit organization specifically focused on empowering underprivileged girls and providing them with educational resources. This takes place in both Nigeria and in the United States as well. Donations to Kechie’s Project provide direct financial support and resources to 3 schools in Nigeria. The organization also provides monthly cultural awareness luncheon/mentorship programs at the Bread and Roses high school, Harlem. Kechie’s Project is dedicated to direct involvement with minimal administrative costs. This focused approach benefits selected children, enabling their growth and providing them with future opportunity. The result is a positive effect on their community and our world.

 Kechie’s Project believes that educating more Girls is the answer to Boko Haram…..In recent months; KP has been at the forefront in the United States by addressing the issues of education and security of girls in Nigeria, brought on by the Chibok kidnapping.  KP  has organized rallies, forums and events that were attended by a broad spectrum of elected government officials, national leaders including New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio, New York State Comptroller Eric Stinger, New York State Senator J. Sanders Jr, and Adriano Espaillat, Rev. Al Sharpton (President of The National Action Network, MSNBC Politic Nation host and former United States presidential Democratic candidate), community organizations, Christians, Muslims, Jews, students, professionals, etc. who support our efforts to improve the conditions of the Nigerian girl child. Kechie’s Project is not an activist organization. However, we do believe in speaking up when such unprecedented aggression targets girls. KP has become more active in utilizing our voice, location and resources, hoping to add and educate more girls in Nigeria. Visit us at www.kechiesproject.org

Nkechi earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Lehman College CUNY and a Master of Arts in International Relations from City College of the City University of New York (CUNY). Nkechi’s unique opportunity to leave Nigeria to study in the United States inspired her to give back to her local community here in the US and “her motherland “of Africa.