GbolaJesu Amusa, a UK-based cultural storyteller, creative curator, and co-founder of Odyssey Media House, traces her deep passion for storytelling directly back to her father. Through his vivid tales, he bridged the gap between her life abroad and her African roots, instilling a profound sense of identity, pride, and cultural connection that continues to shape her mission today.
In an interview with Sunday Scoop, Amusa reflected on how her father used storytelling as a deliberate tool to keep her anchored to her heritage. “Although I did not grow up immersed in my indigenous environment or have the opportunity to visit my village as frequently as many Nigerians do, my father intentionally used storytelling to keep me connected to my roots,” she shared.
“Through his stories, he instilled in me a deep sense of identity, belonging, and pride in my culture. Those early experiences showed me the power of storytelling—not just as entertainment, but as a tool for preserving heritage, shaping identity, and building community. Today, that lesson continues to inspire my work, and I hope to use storytelling to amplify diverse voices and help future generations develop a stronger connection to their own cultural identities.”
Her journey took on new urgency after she moved to the United Kingdom for her master’s degree. There, she encountered widespread misconceptions about Africa—often reduced to a single, monolithic entity rather than a vibrant continent rich with distinct nations, cultures, languages, histories, and traditions. African narratives, she observed, frequently lacked the depth, authenticity, and nuance they deserved.
This realization became a powerful catalyst. It motivated her to launch the YouTube series African Entrepreneurs in Diaspora and eventually co-found Odyssey Media House, platforms dedicated to reshaping how African stories are told and received globally.
For Amusa, preserving and promoting African culture is at the heart of her work. “I want younger Africans in the diaspora to see stories that reflect their experiences, celebrate their heritage, and remind them that their culture is something to be proud of. Representation matters, and the stories we tell today can help shape how future generations see themselves tomorrow,” she emphasized.
She has channeled this vision into impactful initiatives, including serving as Media Lead for the Bradford African Festival of Arts. In that role, she led storytelling and audience engagement strategies across digital and physical platforms, bringing together families, creatives, entrepreneurs, and community members to celebrate African culture and boost visibility for African artists.
Her contributions extend to projects like The Alternate Experience and the Pedal Power Youth Programme. Amusa is particularly excited about City in Frames, an ongoing initiative that uses photography workshops to empower community members to document and share their own stories through their unique lenses—fostering creativity, representation, and authentic self-expression.
Amusa is acutely aware of the challenges faced by Africans in the diaspora, particularly the risk of cultural disconnection among younger generations. “Many African youths in the diaspora are growing up disconnected from their cultural heritage,” she noted. While migration brings opportunities, it can sometimes erode knowledge of roots, traditions, languages, and ancestral stories.
Through her work at Odyssey Media House and beyond, GbolaJesu Amusa is not only honoring her father’s legacy but actively building a future where African stories are told powerfully, proudly, and on their own terms—ensuring that culture, identity, and community continue to thrive across borders.
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