About
I work along the intersections of journalism, anthropology, ethnology, film, poetry, literature, photography, dance and performance art to document nuanced stories that capture the complexities, hopes and everyday realities of Africans and people of African descent. I tell stories that help to demystify the "dark continent" and celebrate the humanity and dignity of Africans. Words, images, culture, human rights, conflict, history, spirituality, development in Africa – I am interested in these. Ultimately, I am interested in Africa and Africans.
So, I document the stories of Africans. Manifesting my childhood dreams, I moved to Africa in 2012 and I have been traveling across the continent ever since, intentionally trying to be as authentic, humble and courageous as I can be. After living in Kenya and Nigeria, I now live in Dakar, Senegal where I am continuing my lifelong dance practice. In Senegal, I am learning sabar, a highly energetic traditional and ever-evolving dance of the Wolof and Serer people.
I’ve been a journalist for the past 18 years. My reporting has been featured in The New York Times, Voice of America, The Guardian, The BBC, Al Jazeera, CNN, The Associated Press, UK Channel 4, France 24, National Geographic, National Public Radio, The Atlantic, The Huffington Post, Foreign Policy, The Daily Beast, MSNBC, VICE News and other outlets.
In 2023, I launched ZIKORA MEDIA & ARTS, a company in which I serve as the founder and executive creative director. ZIKORA, which means “show the world” in my native Igbo language, aims to show the world (through film, dance, performance arts, reportage, creative writing and events) what it means to be Unapologetically African. My goal is to build an art house in the beautiful highlands of Aburi, Ghana. This will be the headquarters of ZIKORA.
A proud Nigerian-American raised in the Atlanta area, I shuffle between Nigeria, Senegal and the United States. I’m writing my first book and directing my first feature length film. I am a Pan-Africanist. I believe Africans must lead positive change on the continent.
Email: chika.oduah@gmail.com