Conversations with Gloria Umanah

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gloria Umanah.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Gloria is a first-generation Nigerian-American born in Atlanta, Georgia. Having lived below the poverty line for majority of her childhood, Gloria lived in over 10 different motel rooms, along with her family of 4 sisters and immigrant mother, over the span of 6 years. Through such a challenging upbringing, Gloria overcame homelessness, fatherlessness, depression, and suicide. After nearly losing her life to suicide at the age of 16 on October 29, 2011 after a year of experiencing intense bullying amidst her living situation, Gloria became passionate about fighting for those who feel invisible and cultivating a desire for greater purpose beyond circumstances within individuals. Gloria is alive today because of one four-lettered word: hope. And she’s on mission to leverage her life for the good of others, that they too would choose hope and choose to live.

Gloria has partnered with organizations all over the world (Chick-Fil-A, World Vision, Compassion International, Jamestown Properties, Synchrony Bank, etc.), telling beautiful and powerful stories of hope and redemption. She has now shared her story to over 4 million individuals worldwide, online and offline.

Since the debut of the Hope Booth in October 2021, Gloria has intentionally assembled a crew of minorities from across the country to pioneer this movement with her. The team consists of Black and Hispanic individuals with personal stories that tether them to the mission and the heartbeat of the Hope Booth.

On Gloria’s spare time she dedicates her life to raising up and equipping high capacity creatives who use their creativity and ingenuity for greater purpose; to pioneer a movement where no one goes unseen and to transform cities and lives all over the globe through mentorships, workshops, and retreats for creatives across the globe.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it has not been a smooth road. Moved by my own experiences surviving suicide, homelessness, and fatherlessness — along with the sobering realization that mental health support should be as accessible as picking up a payphone once was; when launching the Hope Booth with a mission to pioneer a movement where no one goes unseen, whether living on the streets or leading a Fortune 500 company.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Gloria Umanah is the Founder and Executive Director of Hope Booth, an evidence-based mental health nonprofit making hope and help free and accessible 24/7. Through interactive, immersive experiences housed in remodeled telephone booths, Hope Booth installations are placed in prisons, schools, street corners, and public spaces around the world.

Moved by her experience of surviving suicidal ideation, homelessness, fatherlessness and the sobering truth that mental health support should be as accessible as picking up a payphone once was; Gloria launched Hope Booth with a mission to pioneer a movement where no one goes unseen, whether living on the streets or leading a Fortune 500; always available 24/7 free of charge to all.

Since its inception, Hope Booth has installed over 40 booths across 3 continents and impacted more than 475,000 lives, with a reported 78% increase in hope amongst impacted communities. The organization has partnered with leading brands and institutions to further its mission and impact such as Stanley, Simple Modern, Hopelab, Loreal Paris and more.

In 2024, Gloria was named Innovator of the Year in the Technology Sector by Melinda French Gates’ Pivotal Ventures and a 2025 Loreal Paris Women of Worth honoree for building systems that interrupt isolation with connection. For Gloria, this work is deeply personal: because hope isn’t a buzzword; it’s a lifeline.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes Gloria happiest is pouring into people and purpose. In her spare time, she dedicates herself to raising up and equipping high-capacity creatives who use their creativity and ingenuity for a greater purpose; helping pioneer a movement where no one goes unseen. Through mentorships, workshops, and retreats, she is passionate about transforming cities and lives across the globe.

She also finds joy in traveling, experiencing different cultures and communities around the world, and proudly considers herself a matcha connoisseur, always on the hunt for the perfect cup.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hopebooth.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gloriaumanah/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegloriaumanah/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gloriaumanah
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/gloriaumanah