My name is Lucy Chinyere Azubuike, a proud daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Virgilus and Nkolika Azubuike Odimegwu of Umunri, Nsukwu Abatete. The inspiration behind the Nkolika Women Foundation for Art and Culture comes from my mother, Elizabeth Nkolika Odimegwu. “Nkọlịka” means conversation is the greatest. In her honor, this foundation was built upon the belief that through conversation, we come to understand one another more deeply.

 Growing up, I witnessed how intelligent and gifted my mother was. She often spoke about the many things she could have achieved if life and societal expectations had not limited her opportunities. Even when she eventually found time to pursue some of her dreams, there were still barriers holding her back. I constantly wondered what society had lost by not allowing her full potential to flourish. I also wondered how much happier she might have been if she had not missed out on the things she truly loved.

This reflection became the foundation of my vision. The Nkolika Women Foundation exists to create a platform where women can freely express themselves despite their circumstances. Through art, culture, dialogue, and community, women are encouraged to discover their voice, their purpose, and their creative power.

My vision is for this foundation to grow larger than life and continue even long after I am gone. My hope is that women will learn more about why they are on earth and understand that it is never wrong to express oneself authentically. I am inspired by the life of my mother; the lives of women around me. I continue to learn from them and from trees!