Tomisin Akala

I am a first generation Nigerian-American that has lived in Georgia for most of my life. I have two younger siblings in high school and elementary school. My parents came from Nigeria together in hopes of creating great lives for their children, the typical behavior of Nigerian parents. Since I’ve been raised in the West African culture, I have been to countless African parties, weddings, and events. I happily embrace my NIgerian culture and try to blend it as much as I can with my American culture. I constantly partake in the traditional customs that my parents grew up with. Even as my parents speak Yoruba, the Nigerian language that my parents and relatives speak, I thoroughly understand what is said. But speaking the language has become a slight difficulty for me. I try to speak the language of my parents the best I can, and thankfully, the language is available to be taken as a class at the University of Georgia. I hope to master the language and teach my children. Though I know that I have grown up in America, I hope to not allow myself to be Americanized and my Nigerian culture to end with my generation. Ultimately, I don’t want my Nigerian culture to die anytime soon.