Draft:Ifakemi Elebuibon

Ifakemi Elebuibon (born 1980), known widely as Ifakemi or Akose Queen, is an American business owner and consultant, public speaker, Iyawo, mother, and teacher of African Traditional Religions (ATRs) and culture, most prominently, the Yoruba spiritual system of Isese, also known as Ifa. She is the apetebi of Chief Awise Awodele Ifadapo Elebuibon, whom is a renowned Babalawo, herbalist, and speaker.

Ifakemi is an advocate of education, nature-centered living, equity, and unity across the African Diaspora, and is the creator of Behind the Wall, a program for prisoners and re-integrating members of society geared towards helping them venerate their ancestors, practice Isese Ifa, control their temper, and encourage an overall peace-centered lifestyle. She has created numerous other notable businesses and initiatives, such as Ifakemi.com, Egbe University, Egbe Gardens, and La Chapo.

Career

Ifakemi's experiences in leadership positions for major corporations coupled with her family's background in multiple entrepreneurial endeavors helped her cultivate a skillset to teach other businesses and business owners how to grow and scale while changing things universally. She uses a multi-level approach, placing value on change at both micro- and macro-level scales in order to help guide her clients' growth plans.

These skills and this mindset for business landed her in a role as a contract manager for the Seminole Tribe of Florida (owners of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino), overseeing millions of dollars in assets and a project board of no less than 450+ projects at any given moment, and vetted contracts to be sent directly to the tribe's executive board for vote.

Transition into entrepreneurship and Ifakemi.com

As Ifakemi finished up her career as a contract manager for the Seminole Tribe of Florida, she was moved to re-direct her focus to her spiritual practices and duties in a more rigorous manner. Through her connection to nature and the wisdom passed down from her elders, she began crafting akose, which are traditional Yoruba medicines for personal and household use to promote healthy spiritual connection. She initially distributed these products through word of mouth, and soon received orders from all across America. She opened the online shop Ifakemi.com and has grown to service 26 states, as well as internationally in Brazil and Nigeria. Known widely for the effectiveness of her products, she has earned the nickname Akose Queen from her loyal community of supporters.

Behind the Wall

One of Ifakemi's Godchildren introduced her to a friend who was incarcerated at the time, yet heard about the changes and growth the Godchild had experienced through consistent practice of Isese. Ifakemi began meeting virtually with them to teach about Isese practices and culture. Shortly thereafter, other inmates began inquiring about how they too could learn those same religious practices. Realizing the growing demand and empowered by the phrase "it's easy to hurt someone, but it's harder to heal them," Ifakemi sprouted the Behind the Wall initiative. Targeting currently and recently released incarcerated persons, she teaches Isese and ancestral veneration practices and culture with the aim of arming them with the tools intended to heal themselves and root in a solid and positive spiritual practice.

Egbe University

Ifakemi is an educator of African culture and traditions, specializing in teaching about African Traditional Religions (ATRs). Through Egbe University, she spreads awareness and information on these subjects to the African and African-Diasporan populations worldwide, particularly in the U.S. Classes on subjects such as Orisha are offered for public participation.

La Chapo

La Chapo or LaChapo.com is an online marketplace selling luxury beauty products based on ancient and traditional recipes which were passed down several generations and 100+ years by the women in Ifakemi's family. At that time, going back into nature and pulling resources necessary to sustain the body and mind such as herbs, barks, and roots was normal within their traditions. Ifakemi began to make use of these recipes publicly when her cousin, who worked in afterschool programs and daycares, would tell her about how many kids and parents were suffering from different ailments, namely eczema. She began making body butters to help alleviate some of the symptoms, which became popular amongst her consumers. The name "La Chapo" was born from combining the Spanish "chapo" meaning "shorty" and a redirection from the name and life of El Chapo. The intention is to create a shortcut to nature and flood the community with positivity and beneficial products for their health. La Chapo is also a vehicle to normalize tea drinking in the Black community.

Egbe Gardens

Egbe Gardens is a movement emphasizing human connectedness and harmony with nature. Through the online platform, she encourages the community to post pictures and discussions on the plants they have and encounter within their surroundings. She encourages people from all walks of life and income level to embrace nature, and helps people in low-income situations utilize resources available to them to bring plant life into their homes.