An Oriki Tribute to Myself
Luvvie of House Jones, first of her name. Nigerian noble. Dame of diction. Critic of culture. Chi-town creator. Conqueror of copy. Bestseller of books. Sorceress of side-eyes. 🎨 @nicoleupdegraff
An Oriki Tribute to Brittany Packnett Cunningham
Brittany of House Cunningham, first of her name. Giver of grace. Servant leader. Teller of truths. Activist for good. Fighter for justice. Orator of brilliance. Principled pontificator. 🎨 @nicoleupdegraff
An Oriki Tribute to Esther Perel, My Professional Troublemaker Partner
Esther of House Perel, first of her name. Adviser of amour. Lecturer of love. Devotee of desire. Vulnerability sage. The Belgian scholar. Teacher of tenderness. Philosopher of passion. 🎨 @nicoleupdegraff
An Oriki Tribute to Gabrielle Union, My Professional Troublemaker Partner
Gabrielle of House Wade, first of her name. Fierce fighter. Iconic ingenue. Ageless black girl. Scholar of storytelling. Affirmer of authenticity. Majesty of melanin magic. Dimpled damsel of dopeness. 🎨 @nicoleupdegraff
An Oriki Tribute to Myleik Teele, My Professional Troublemaker Partner
Myleik Teele was my conversation partner for one of my Professional Troublemaker tour stops. Myleik of House Teele, first of her name. Bold boss. Chief of curls. Taker of no shit. Backer of greatness. Enabler of excellence. Inquisitive intellectual. Ever-evolving exemplar. 🎨 @nicoleupdegraff
An Oriki Tribute to Glennon Doyle, My Professional Troublemaker Partner
Glennon of House Doyle, first of her name. Adored author. Words warrior. Sensitive savant. Untamed empress. Courier of courage. Heart-strong human. Burster of book charts. 🎨 @nicoleupdegraff
An Oriki Tribute to Kahlana Barfield Brown, My Professional Troublemaker Partner
Kahlana of House Brown, first of her name. Chic consort. Red lip royalty. Serene stunner. Pusher of poshness. Ferocious fashionista. Trailblazer of trends. Slayer of supreme style. 🎨 @nicoleupdegraff
Use Your Platform (with Sue Bird) – Episode 11 of Professional Troublemaker
This week on Professional Troublemaker, I’m talking to superstar basketball player Sue Bird. We’re talking about thinking BIG and maintaining expectations in the face of adversity, the importance of authenticity as a gay woman in sports, intersectionality, knowing your value, and the power of unity. DOWNLOAD EPISODE 11 TRANSCRIPT You …
An Oriki Tribute to Beyoncé, the Greatest Entertainer Alive
Beyoncé Giselle of House Carter. First of her name. Maker of History. Snatcher of Edges. Killer of Stages. Exemplar of Excellence. Citizen of Creole Wonderland. Legendary Black Girl. Wakandan Council President. Spreader of Noir Pixie Dust. Queen. 👑👑👑 Greatest entertainer alive. We hail you. ⭐⭐⭐
What is an Oríkì?
What’s an oríkì? An oríkì is a Yoruba greeting of the word orí meaning “head” and kì meaning “to greet or praise”. In the first chapter of my book, Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual, I talk about the importance of writing an oríkì– your personal hype mantra! You’ve seen it …