Today we’d like to introduce you to Weruché Uzoka.
Hi Weruché, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I immigrated from Nigeria to the United States 20 years ago with my children and began the meaningful, often challenging process of building a new life and integrating into American society. Through that journey, I witnessed firsthand how immigrant voices, especially those of families and children were too often missing from decisions that directly affected their lives.
In response, I founded Weruche Inspires ten years ago to help close that gap and create space for representation, storytelling, and advocacy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this commitment led me to run for public office in Connecticut, driven by the need to advocate for better education, healthcare, and overall social well-being for immigrant communities who are frequently unheard.
Following that campaign, I went on to serve on the board of Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services (IRIS) and as a Human Rights Commissioner in Connecticut, continuing my work to support dignity, equity, and access for immigrant and refugee communities.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As with any meaningful journey, there were significant setbacks. I experienced an extended period—over five years—without steady income, during which it felt as though every job application was met with rejection, after gaining two masters degrees. It was during this challenging season that I began what would become the Princess Naku Series.
The project was born out of deep frustration with how Africa is often misrepresented in the American education system, frequently described as a single country rather than a vast continent made up of 54 countries and two disputed territories. Despite the abundance of books about Africa, I found very few that addressed this misconception in a comprehensive and intentional way.
In response, I created a series centered on a young African girl who journeys across all 54 countries and two disputed territories of the continent. Within one year, I wrote all 57 children’s books, using storytelling as a way to challenge misinformation, expand cultural understanding, and restore accuracy and dignity to how Africa is taught to children.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a Founder, Artist & Human Rights Advocate. Our organization: Weruche Inspires International – WIIN, is currently experiencing a strong period of creative and programmatic momentum. In May 2025, we premiered our first stage production, “Festac Baby” based on my 2016 play, in Burbank, California. The play explores identity, cultural heritage, sacrifice, and resilience, set against the backdrop of the Second World Festival of Arts and Culture held in Lagos, Nigeria in 1977.
Since relocating to Los Angeles, we’ve expanded our media presence with the launch of Weruche Magazine, and the evolution of our podcast into The Weruche Show, now in its final preparation stage and scheduled to debut in January 2026.
Our educational and community programs continue to grow. Princess Naku Education is currently in its fourth session of our performance-arts initiative, while our Women’s Empowerment Program and Girls Scholarship initiatives in Africa remain active and ongoing.
In 2024, we presented the Princess Naku Education Initiative at the NGOs United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68), contributing to two forums alongside international organizations, and hosting Nibun Chorus—an award-winning indigenous youth group known also as “mountain kids” from Taiwan, among others. This year, we participated in the United Nations High-level meeting to Commemorate the Thirtieth Anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women. We were also given special accreditation to the United Nations Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar, where we submitted our proposal for the “Pride of Ancestry” Framework.
We are also in active development on the Princess Naku animated series, with a nine-minute teaser set to be released on Vimeo and YouTube in the coming days. Our back to school web app is available for kids and we’re working on more additions to the “Naku-Verse.”
What are your plans for the future?
We’re entering a season of focused expansion: building thoughtfully on what’s already taken root. Our immediate plans include developing new creative works, expanding the Naku-verse through animation and live storytelling, and opening space for our work to live beyond the stage through media and visual arts.
At the same time, we’re strengthening our internal foundation by growing our board and preparing to bring on a new Executive Director to help guide the organization into its next phase. We turned ten years old in June, and this next chapter is about scale with integrity, deepening impact while inviting aligned partners and investors to grow with us.
In 2026, we plan to launch WIIN Gallery online, expanding access to our existing body of work through a curated digital experience. Additional projects, including a forthcoming film, are currently in development.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.festacbaby.com/productions ; https://werucheinspiresinternational.org ; https://www.princessnaku.com/pride-of-ancestry
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/werucheinspires/ ; https://www.instagram.com/weruchemagazine/ ; https://www.instagram.com/werucheuzoka
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/werucheinspires ; https://www.facebook.com/princessnakuseries/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weruche-inspires-international
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@theprincessnakuseriestv
Image Credits
Weruche Media
