Welcome to the "Speaking" page of my website! As a gay asylum seeker, I understand the challenges of displacement, marginalization, and xenophobia that many people face in their pursuit of the American dream. However, I have since gone on to build a successful career in Human Resources, focusing on systems in the workplace and society at large.
A REFUGEE JOURNEY OF FINDING HOME
The Promise of America is that everyone has the opportunity to belong and build a life for themselves and future generations. But to actualize this vision, we must create a society where the most vulnerable among us have a sense of belonging.
Through my work, I share the stories of refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced persons who have fled their homes in search of safety. I believe that we can create a society that is a bridge to all, where everyone has a sense of belonging, and a home is a place of joy.
As a survivor of trauma, I know the importance of creating psychological safety in the workplace, especially for LGBTQ people, refugees, and minorities. I share tips on coming out in the workplace and creating an environment of inclusivity and acceptance.
My ability to combine substance with storytelling has made me a sought-after guest speaker. For example, I was invited to speak at Grindr, where I helped increase their internal competency around app users in countries where homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia make it dangerous to be oneself. I look forward to finding additional ways to work with organizations in creating a more inclusive and equitable society.
“Edafe’s ability to combine substance with stellar storytelling made him the perfect guest speaker at Grindr. He helped us to increase our internal competency around our app users in Nigeria and other parts of the world where homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia makes it dangerous to be who we are. I look forward to finding additional ways to work with Edafe in the coming years.”
“Edafe Okporo, the author of ASYLUM, A Memoir and Manifesto and founder of Refugee America, was a great keynote speaker for the annual CAEL conference in 2022. He inspired and educated close to 1,000 attendees. In addition to being a wonderful presenter, he has the ability to combine his background and experiences with valuable content that support and creates a thriving ecosystem for adult learners.”
My interview on ABC News
Keynote Speaker Request Form
Thank you for considering me as a speaker for your event. I am passionate about sharing my experiences and insights to inspire and educate others.
For all other speaking inquires:
Note before submitting: This form is for speaking requests only. If you have an interview or media request, please use the form on the home page.