Nene Judy Akintan has spent twenty-four years in North America, initially migrating to Canada with her family, then relocating to the US before returning to Canada. She and her family lived in the US for five years and in Canada for twenty years. In this narrative, she shares her experience raising a family in both countries and how the cultural influences shaped her worldview and lifestyle. Read her full story here.
—My name is Nene Akintan. Unlike most migrants who arrived in Canada brimming with excitement, I came kicking and screaming, reluctant to leave Nigeria. This is because after earning my MBA, I dived into the banking world, gaining invaluable insights into finance and sharpening my strategic planning skills. Armed with seed capital from my father, I launched Liberty, a boutique in the prestigious Nicon Noga Hilton Abuja (now Transcorp Hilton). The knowledge and experience I gained in the bank were key to successfully starting and managing my business, turning it into a thriving enterprise.
However, I decided to put all of this aside for the shared dream my husband and I had for our family. My husband, a dedicated physician, needed to specialise, which meant relocating to North America. When the opportunity arose, he moved to Canada four months ahead to lay the groundwork for our arrival. I followed, embarking on a journey with our six-month-old daughter and our nanny, thanks to the more lenient migration policies twenty-five years ago. With my mother-in-law already in Canada, her support made our transition much smoother. It was a leap into the unknown, but we were driven by a vision for a brighter future.
For the first six months, I kept my watch on Nigerian time, pretending I was still there, half-expecting to wake up to the sounds of familiar chaos. I missed my friends and homeland so much that I practically set up a long-distance relationship with Nigeria. Two years after our move, I welcomed our son into the world, adding more joy to our Canadian adventure. Our nanny, who was an absolute lifesaver, watched our children, while my husband and I worked on our career goals.
Later, we relocated to the US for about five years. The US, a melting pot of diverse cultures and ethnicities, offered our children a different experience. They were not the only black kids in their class and they adapted well. I appreciated the sisterhood and friendships among African American women, despite the systemic racism and strong racist narratives that often limited their progress.
After five years in the US, we returned to Canada. The lack of diversity and racist slurs my children faced motivated me to start initiatives empowering children and women of colour. This is because community work is my true passion, and I grew up learning from my parents who were consummate volunteers.
Thus, our family non-profit foundation, I AM. I CAN. I WILL, was born, founded by me, our children Tife Akintan, Temi Akintan, and our niece, Olympia Okonmah-James. Our mission is to nurture self-empowerment and give hope to the voiceless, and our vision is to cultivate global community collaboration. Based on this, we focus on three key pillars: ENGAGE, EDUCATE, EMPOWER
Amongst other things we have:
· Co-organized a Bring Back Our Girls rally in Toronto
· Engaged with First Nations Children in an Attawapiskat elementary school, teaching
leadership skills and Providing educational resources to the school
· Taught English to Syrian Refugees in Hamilton
· Provided covid 19 palliatives to members of the GTA community
· Provided resources to people who identify as homeless in Hamilton, Oakville and
Toronto
· Provided ongoing educational sponsorship to Internally displaced persons (IDPs) whose lives have been altered by the Boko Haram Terrorist group in Nigeria
· Embarked on programs to debunk stereotypes about black youth, encouraging academic achievement and community service.
· Taught Financial Literacy to youth in the GTA
· Worked with mothers and children who have fled abusive family situations
· Provided Christmas gifts to residents and essential staff at retirement homes
· Collaborated with the Canadian Black Chamber Of Commerce (CBCC) to ensure youth
participation in The Economic Club of Canada & The Global Institute for Conscious Economics’ Conversation with Barack Obama
· Participants at the Halton Equity and Diversity Roundtable
· Participated at the Halton Regional Police Service, Diversity Engagement Table
· Participated at the GREG FERGUS, Black Caucus, Pre-Budget Consultation
Reflecting on what I might have done differently, I would have taught my children Yoruba and Igbo to preserve their cultural and African identity. Our culture is our strength and resilience in a new land.
My advice to women of colour migrating to Canada is to embrace change, join community associations, and volunteer for laudable programs. This is because volunteering builds valuable relationships for our children and future generations, helping overcome systemic racism. Additionally, understanding financial literacy and managing finances wisely is crucial for a stable future.
As a Realtor, I help newcomers integrate successfully into Canadian society and I teach them that understanding Canada’s financial system is vital. Get a credit card, pay bills on time, use only 30% of your credit limit, budget carefully, and save for a home.
Looking back, I am grateful for the decision I made twenty-five years ago. My husband and I are flourishing in our respective careers; Our children are grown and thriving; Their nanny is a Canadian citizen and has her own family; Our niece, who joined us from Nigeria, is now happily married and pursuing her dreams. I am grateful to God for bringing us this far on our North American journey.
As I conclude, I am reminded of a speech I gave a few years ago titled, “I Have an Accent and That is OK.” and I encourage anyone reading this to embrace their unique identity with pride.
Nene tells her story from Ontario, Canada.
