Voice of the Month
September Edition – Summer Okibe
Summer Okibe
Start where you are. You don’t need perfect circumstances or endless resources—you need vision and resilience. I faced 500 rejections, but I built anyway. Look at the gaps in your community and ask: “What can I create here?” Whether it’s mentorship, education, sustainability, or justice—your voice matters. Collaborate, learn constantly, and don’t let setbacks define you. Transform them into stepping stones. Remember: changemaking isn’t about grand gestures; it’s about consistent action rooted in care. Your community is waiting for the light only you can bring.
Professional Services
- Workshops
- Speaking engagements
- Consultancy
Social Media Links
I’m Summer Okibe, a PhD student in Law at the University of Victoria and Energy Policy Analyst with the Government of Alberta. I champion the intersection of education and clean energy as tools for justice. I believe sustainable solutions shouldn’t be abstract policies—they should directly transform lives. Through my work in climate governance and community development, I’m proving that solar power can light up classrooms, and that tuition-free education can unlock futures for children who deserve opportunity, not barriers.
I founded Aderayah Academy in Enugu, Nigeria—a tuition-free school powered entirely by solar energy. This isn’t just a building; it’s a promise that education and sustainability belong together. The Academy features vibrant murals, a spacious U-shaped design, and rooftop solar panels that provide reliable, clean electricity—eliminating dependence on polluting generators that many schools rely on.
Children who once thought classrooms were out of reach now study under sustainable light. Beyond the Academy, I’ve mentored thousands of young Africans into global opportunities, won over $400,000 in scholarships, and provided hundreds of scholarships and grants to children and widows. My work demonstrates that clean energy isn’t a luxury—it’s a pathway to dignity, education, and possibility for communities often locked out of opportunity.
I faced over 500 rejections while searching for work in Canada. Each “no” could have silenced me, but instead, I chose to build louder. I channeled that frustration into action—pursuing scholarships, creating mentorship programs, and launching community projects. Those rejections taught me resilience isn’t about avoiding failure; it’s about transforming setbacks into fuel for greater impact. Today, those 500 rejections led to Aderayah Academy and opportunities to uplift thousands of others.
I’m motivated by the children studying under solar-powered lights at Aderayah Academy—kids who now see education as possible. My future goals include expanding the Academy model across Nigeria and other underserved communities, scaling mentorship programs, and influencing energy policy that centers justice and sustainability. I want to prove that clean energy and education can create ripples of transformation worldwide. Every scholarship granted, every classroom powered, every young person mentored—these are milestones that fuel my commitment to building a just, sustainable future.
Summer Okibe
Professional Services
- Workshops
- Speaking engagements
- Consultancy
Social Media Links
I’m Summer Okibe, a PhD student in Law at the University of Victoria and Energy Policy Analyst with the Government of Alberta. I champion the intersection of education and clean energy as tools for justice. I believe sustainable solutions shouldn’t be abstract policies—they should directly transform lives. Through my work in climate governance and community development, I’m proving that solar power can light up classrooms, and that tuition-free education can unlock futures for children who deserve opportunity, not barriers.
I founded Aderayah Academy in Enugu, Nigeria—a tuition-free school powered entirely by solar energy. This isn’t just a building; it’s a promise that education and sustainability belong together. The Academy features vibrant murals, a spacious U-shaped design, and rooftop solar panels that provide reliable, clean electricity—eliminating dependence on polluting generators that many schools rely on.
Children who once thought classrooms were out of reach now study under sustainable light. Beyond the Academy, I’ve mentored thousands of young Africans into global opportunities, won over $400,000 in scholarships, and provided hundreds of scholarships and grants to children and widows. My work demonstrates that clean energy isn’t a luxury—it’s a pathway to dignity, education, and possibility for communities often locked out of opportunity.
I faced over 500 rejections while searching for work in Canada. Each “no” could have silenced me, but instead, I chose to build louder. I channeled that frustration into action—pursuing scholarships, creating mentorship programs, and launching community projects. Those rejections taught me resilience isn’t about avoiding failure; it’s about transforming setbacks into fuel for greater impact. Today, those 500 rejections led to Aderayah Academy and opportunities to uplift thousands of others.
I’m motivated by the children studying under solar-powered lights at Aderayah Academy—kids who now see education as possible. My future goals include expanding the Academy model across Nigeria and other underserved communities, scaling mentorship programs, and influencing energy policy that centers justice and sustainability. I want to prove that clean energy and education can create ripples of transformation worldwide. Every scholarship granted, every classroom powered, every young person mentored—these are milestones that fuel my commitment to building a just, sustainable future.
Start where you are. You don’t need perfect circumstances or endless resources—you need vision and resilience. I faced 500 rejections, but I built anyway. Look at the gaps in your community and ask: “What can I create here?” Whether it’s mentorship, education, sustainability, or justice—your voice matters. Collaborate, learn constantly, and don’t let setbacks define you. Transform them into stepping stones. Remember: changemaking isn’t about grand gestures; it’s about consistent action rooted in care. Your community is waiting for the light only you can bring.
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