Today we’d like to introduce you to Abibat Oketade.
Hi Abibat, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
As a multifaceted, multidisciplinary Muslim Nigerian-American artist raised in a traditional household, my story unfolds at the crossroads of two realities: one set at home, molded by stringent ideals, and another shaped by progressive values in the wider world. From forfeiting my social life to push myself academically in hopes of fulfilling my immigrant parents’ dreams, to falling in love with Islam, to discovering my talent for singing, dancing, poetry, and more, I quickly learned there was no set place where I fit in. But because of that, I became incredibly ambitious and saw every day as a new opportunity to shape my identity. I’ve always gone against the grain, because moving with it means living a life outside one’s fullest potential. And a life like that, filled with possible regrets, is one I’m unwilling to have.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Pursuing my skills and talents through the trials of life has not been a smooth road at all. There are so many struggles I could name. Be it the chronic back pain I’ve suffered with for 12+ years after two bad childhood falls, to being bullied in school, to earning a bachelor’s in IT simply to maintain the prestige my parents worked so hard for us to have. Then there were the hundreds of job rejections when I applied for tech roles, followed by the limbo of deviating from IT entirely to pursue the uncertainty of my creativity whilst wondering if the world is silently judging me. There have been numerous avenues of deafening struggle. But for simplicity’s sake, I’ll describe the foundation of what shaped me. Let me just say two words: Nigerian parents.
Of course, not all Nigerians fit the stereotypes of our culture, for I’m blessed to say I didn’t get the very blunt end of the stick. But due to our socioeconomic and environmental background, many Nigerians are raised to be tough. That can translate positively into resilience and a relentless drive toward excellence, but the opposite end of that strength can be jarring.
I owe it to my faith and my innate moral compass that I turned out to be the open-minded, self-aware, compassionate individual that I am. While my parents provided financially and did the best they could with the tools they had, I learned at an incredibly young age that my greatest confidants were my pen, paper, and prayer, as those were the only spaces where I truly felt heard and comforted for years.
Through years of endurance, expression, and prayer, my relationship with my parents and their particular mindset, softened. And now, I finally feel like I’m entering a season where I can reap what life has to offer without needing to struggle. My art and the home I built within it is living proof of that transformation. Each piece, poem, and performance is a reflection of my healing, faith, and presence I had to curate to be heard.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My skills and creativity know no limits, as I am known for my versatility across multiple artistic disciplines.
I’ve been a poet since I was 11, performing on stages including as a featured poet for Potions and Poets, presented by The Mingle Experience in Atlanta, GA in 2024. I am also the poet and visual editor behind my rapidly growing YouTube channel, ATLove (ATLxLove), a platform dedicated to Authentic, Transparent Love that promotes positivity, motivation, and the restoration of hope for all. I also created Unplugged: Poetry In The Park, a space for poets and like-minded artists to coalesce and express openly in nature across the Metro-Atlanta area, and I am open to collaborating with others who share this vision.
Beyond poetry, I curate events and experiences, hosting heels, Afrobeats, and hip-hop dance classes in Atlanta, Suwanee, and Lawrenceville, sharing my work across Instagram (@abibat.ok), TikTok, and YouTube (@abiltty). I have also been singing since childhood, one of my earliest forms of artistic expression, performing at dozens of events such as Blackout at The Lawrenceville Arts Center for three consecutive years. By popular demand, I am preparing to release my original music on all streaming platforms by the end of 2025, fulfilling one of my New Year’s resolutions.
I have also acted on stage in productions with Aurora Theatre, including Georgia Gwinnett College’s ImprovFest and Dogwood Theatre Company’s Clue On Stage. After pursuing acting for over five years, I am now reintroducing it into my creative journey and exploring opportunities in modeling in the near future.
While these are just a few of my many achievements, I am most proud to say that I am the living embodiment of the woman I’ve wanted to become and never gave up on since childhood. My sheer will to create, even when uncertain or scared, has been my greatest achievement. I love knowing I live fully and freely every day, because we as humans are capable of so much, and I take advantage of every opportunity I get. This mindset sets me apart, because I don’t just “let” life happen to me. I acknowledge that everything is happening for me, and I get to be an active participant in this journey called life.
What’s next?
My destiny is being written everyday. I plan on my passions fulfilling my dream of living in a high-rise apartment or loft in Atlanta someday soon. I’ll continue to pursue the activities I love, discover new creative paths to embark on, all while cherishing who I am every step of the way.
I also envision my tribe — my blood and chosen family. They are the people who fill my cup as much as I fill theirs, a healthy and collaborative community of caring individuals who support me in my ambitions and achievements.
My future feels like sunshine, even on days when I can’t see it or forget it’s there. I aspire to feel love daily more than anything, as everything I create, uncover, and obtain will fall within that state. That’s a beautiful gift I get to witness and experience as I flow into the future version of myself.
Pricing:
- Dance Classes (Atlanta/Metro-Atlanta Area): $25
- Events: For customized pricing, please email abibatoketade@gmail.com to submit an inquiry.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abibat.ok?igsh=b3dnNzF2bGRiM3Yz&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AjgRjtuMv/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abibat-oketade
- Youtube: https://yt.openinapp.co/wdxj4dq
- Other: https://www.thegeorgiavirtue.com/georgia-news/ggc-reads-essay-contest-winners-share-what-they-think-it-means-to-be-an-american/
Image Credits
Georgia Gwinnett College
Marcellous Palmer
Clean Light Photography
