A Voice for the Voiceless: Judy Ojo

• Judy shares the importance of appreciating cultural differences and being authentic as it holds power.
• She believes community development is important as it provides a chance to contribute to society.
• As an HR and a person, Judy believes in understanding and supporting each other as human beings.
• She shares that people are more interested in a culture of growth as it focuses on building and maintaining actual relationships.

1. Tell us about your journey and how it has shaped you into who you are today.

My childhood was interesting because it shaped me into the person I am today. I grew up in the United States but my father was Nigerian and my mother was American. So, I got the best of both worlds and it made me appreciate cultural differences. Being a Nigerian, I faced a lot of discrimination since childhood. Those experiences shaped my personality, encouraging me to stand up against discrimination and become a voice for the voiceless. I believe authenticity is the real truth, where all the power lies.

2. What attracted you to become a Brooklyn community member and join the Organization for the Advancements of Nigerians?

The importance of community development was instilled by my maternal side. When I moved to New York from Chicago, it was important for me to be able to get closer to my community. I was excited to learn and understand about my culture, and then I came to know about this organization. I believed in this organization because they were highlighting the African community and wanted to showcase the truth at a time when most people thought that Nigerians were mostly scammers. They created the Nigerian Independence Day Parade, where we showcased a lot of Afrobeats artists. 

For the Brooklyn community, it was important for me to live in Brooklyn, so I became a part of this community. Brooklyn is one of the most diverse communities and it was a great opportunity to give back to the people.

3. Can you tell us more about your education-based platform ‘Let’s Talk All Things HR’ and how it came into being?

During the pandemic, my attorney advised me to pursue the education sector. I try to make things fun when I facilitate, and that is exactly what people expect out of an HR. The purpose of my platform is to talk things out, as I believe that the only way to move forward is to understand and support each other. It was a calling to help my friends and family navigate through their issues and come to the brighter side of the picture, and that is where ‘Let’s Talk All Things HR’ was born.

4. What tips would you offer to HR leaders to ensure employees feel equally engaged and valued?

The synergy and cultural understanding between full-time and hybrid employees is crucial. Surveys are an efficient way to understand the expectations of employees. HR leaders can focus on a maximum of two monthly themes and facilitate bonding between employees based on the results. The main aim of incorporating these activities regularly should be to maintain a better organizational culture from all perspectives.

Creativity invites different perspectives and brings people closer to one another. We must pay attention to the importance of fun while thinking outside the box. After all, no act can be boring enough if we continue to focus on authenticity and diversity.

5. How would you describe leadership and what does it mean to you?

For me, leadership is empathizing with your team and producing the best results out of them simultaneously. It is all about being brave and fierce with your actions, yet understanding each person from a different perspective. People want to feel safe, as everyone craves a sense of belonging. They need to know that they can trust you. People are more interested in a culture of growth as it focuses on building and maintaining actual relationships, whether it is a peer-to-peer or an employer-employee relationship. Everyone is different and embracing the uniqueness of each individual opens the door to their hearts.

A leader knows the importance of work-life balance and encourages employees to achieve it. The pandemic made us realize that it is okay to rest and relax for a while, as long as you come back with the same zeal and motivation to start from scratch.

6. What are the current trends in your industry that excite you?

I am relieved about the fact that people are standing up for themselves and not letting anyone cross their boundaries after a certain time. They are aware of their value and are ready to fight for what they believe in. 

Unemployment is low in the US, and the whole workforce is going through a rapid transition. Baby boomers and Gen Xers are retiring, and Gen Zers are leading the workforce from the front. In the US, be it when the Department of Labor increased overtime for salaried employees or the non-compete clause, there are many interesting and exciting things happening in the industry, and I am looking forward to all the amazing opportunities that will be coming my way.

7. What challenges did you face that turned out to be your biggest learning experiences?

Growing up in Chicago, we were expected to be as perfect as possible, especially in the workplace. I had to learn the hard way about how to manage the micromanagers, or how to manage the chaos without being too wrapped up in it. I am a firm believer in representation. We need to make sure that we have a seat at the table. I live in New York City and racism persists here. One of the companies in which I worked wanted me to lie about a position not being open, just because the person interested was black.

These instances helped me find my voice, for myself and for people who can not or do not know how to defend themselves. I finally knew how to be stern yet kind to people. Respect runs both ways and I was happy to know that after all these years, I turned out to be brave and happy, and I think that is all that matters. These challenges shaped me into the person that I am today, and I would never trade that for the world.

8. What are some things you are passionate about outside of work?

I admire Frances Perkins, the first U.S. Secretary of Labor, for her dedication and pioneering spirit. I enjoy fashion, travel, and food in my free time. I am also passionate about young girls, women, and their education status. Currently, I am working with a partner from Nigeria and his company provides opportunities for nurses to work in the US and I am excited about this project. It will provide them access to learn from top hospitals in the world. While we have a lot of work to do, I believe in standing firm in front of discrimination and I will continue to do so as long as possible.

Judy Ojo shares her journey of being an HR and a leader who firmly believes in representation. She reiterates the fact that we are human beings who must care for each other because we are not alone, and we all crave genuine connections. She is passionate about the status of women in today’s education system, and she advocates for the same.