Olawale Obayemi
Nigeria
Olawale came to the United States in 2014 as a political refugee from Nigeria, after his activism on behalf of several oppressed groups resulted in threats of arrest and imprisonment. After resettling in New York and working odd jobs for several months, Olawale started his own delivery, laundry, and home cleaning business. The IRC referred him to BCNA, where he enrolled in the IDA savings program and applied for a microloan. With funding from BCNA, he launched his business in 2015, with a goal to open a laundromat business. Olawale continues to fight for equal rights and social justice by volunteering for human rights organizations in New York.
BCNA Service:
• Microloan
• IDA Savings