Tamkara Adun and her community have revolutionized the way African history and languages are taught

Learn how the creator Tamkara Adun built an engaged learning community as well as an educational products to help teach people who have been decolonized African history and languages.

The moment that Tamkara and her husband and her two young children relocated from Nigeria into the Netherlands the world changed. They were immersed in a foreign culture, Tamkara quit her job in HR, and her children began attending a new primary school.

Tamkara noticed that in their new curriculum, her children were learning history from a European view that did not cover many of Africa's stories, achievements, or civilizations.

She recollects "They learned a little about African historical events, but it was history written in a colonized story that did not discuss the incredible ancestors of their people. I didn't want them to become so swallowed up by other's stories that they lost their personal. I wanted them to be well-rounded yet also comprehend their African history in a way that is authentic and affirming to them."

To fill the gap, Tamkara decided she would teach them herself. Tamkara began to read important African authors, conversing with family members, and scouring online archives. "As I began to teach my students, I realized that there was much I had not been taught," she remembers. "In the process of teaching the students, I was in the process of educating myself."

Tamkara was aware that if she or her family members needed the information she had, other people might too.

"It was a long and difficult journey for me, and once I started, I knew that there was no way around. The more you know that you know, the more you don't know. I'm always exploring and learning latest information, however I also wanted to pass it on. Learning is a gift. You shouldn't keep it for yourself."

The belief in this premise prompted Tamkara to build an online enterprise called Odunife  that translates to "Year of Love" in Yoruba as well as to build the concept of reciprocity in a group. Others were eager to rediscover historical events through an African lens. The more she shared her knowledge and influenced her students, the more they taught her in return.

Their contributions and questions, combined with her research led to educational courses and eBooks. the first of which is a book for children , a language school  as well as the 1:1 coaching program which expand our knowledge of African historical events.

Building a collaborative community of learning

The community is the core and soul of Tamkara's venture It all began by creating an Twitter account . Tamkara wanted to record the things she was learning even if it wasn't visible to a few users. "It was similar to an echo" she remembers. "I was putting the content on the internet, but there was no response."

However, gradually Tamkara became acquainted with other people who were interested in African culture in a non-colonial, Africa-centered viewpoint. The more information Tamkara posted and shared, the more people reacted with her, reblogged, and even tagged their friends. People who follow Tamkara also started sharing their personal knowledge and experiences, creating a reciprocal learning community.

"It's an open-ended relationship in which I share, but I'm in the process of studying."

"I post some thing  that I want to share, and the people who read the comments expand on the idea," she explains. "It's an online community of knowledge that helps us gain a better knowledge of the past and events which have occurred in the past."

Tamkara gained momentum by connecting with creators in her field, guest blogging and leading with passion.

In the beginning, Tamkara contacted thought leaders she liked via remarks or directly messages. Tamkara informed them that their content struck her as relevant and she shared their posts in order to amplify their voices. The group would regularly visit her page and follow her in a spirit of reciprocity.

Finally, audience members could tell she was passionate about her work. "People will know when you love the work you're doing. It creates trust and builds loyalty. I focused on posting good material that people would naturally want to share and put me in front of even more potential customers," she explains.

In just two years, her Instagram account increased from 50 followers to over 24,000 followers.

Tamkara's community has formed the basis of her efforts all the way. Together with her followers, they have established a constructive feedback loop that allows all members to are able to learn from one others. With such a wealth of knowledge, Tamkara knew it was the right time to expand her knowledge and launch her first product.

Make up for the missing space with community-driven solutions

"I always listen to people. Most of the time especially on Instagram users will say what they're looking for. If something that you and I are both looking for isn't readily available I'm forced to come up with an service."

The author also wrote a kids' book called Osasu and it was titled the Great Wall of the Benin Empire . The book was about African ingenuity she wanted her kids to learn about and she knew that many communities would love a book celebrating African cultural heritage.

"It's wonderful to be able to recognize different histories from different parts of the globe, but African kids must have a grasp of their past as well. It helps build self-esteem and self-confidence," she elaborates. "I consider that each story, every history, should be on the screen."

The next step was the language school.

"Many people have said that they want to learn African languages, especially our sisters and brothers living in diaspora, whose ancestors were taken away in the African Maafa and then had their language stripped away."

Then she started facilitating free group language sessions to share her native language in a relaxed learning environment. "Anyone could sign up on Zoom and participate. It was a lot of fun. It was a lot of laughter. I saw the gap and there was an curiosity."

So Tamkara joined forces with teachers of languages all over Africa for the purpose of creating an online language school .

Then, when audience members approached her asking questions with complicated answers, Tamkara created a 1:1 coaching service.

"A number of people send me asking questions. I'd love to take the an effort to reply to each of them. But others require more effort, thought, emotional energy, and research. Coaching programs allow us to have a full conversation."

Through her work with the communities, Tamkara continually identifies needs and then fills them with items that spread information, truth and love.

: A versatile platform for multi-passionate entrepreneurs

With a variety of passions and an endless list of ideas, Tamkara needed a place for her creative work. It was the reason she chose .

"I wanted an online platform that could give my versatility," Tamkara reflects. "I wake up in the morning and have numerous ideas running through my head. I wanted a platform where I could have everything in one spot."

"Having the team when I encounter technical issues eliminates the anxiety and burden of trying to solve everything on my own. It's like they've not just been there for me but partnered in building my business," she shares.

"I'm passionate about communicating and I love the variety of touch points with my family and friends. When I'm online, you can communicate with me immediately. If I'm not online I'll receive an email so that I can reach out. You can also emails broadcast to my whole public or a specific group who are interested in my offerings. This has been an amazing game changer."

Simply put, creators need devices that allow them to do the best work. Like Tamkara puts it, " eliminates the technical stress and gives me space to concentrate on my artistic projects, which is exactly what I excel at. There's someone there to help and encourage me. This is invaluable."

Tamkara's advice: Get support and chase your dreams

In the process of building Odunife, Tamkara learned how essential it is having a supportive system and take bold leaps. She advises other creators to do the same.

Concentrate on your strengths and avoid by yourself

Entrepreneurs are often required to wear ten hats, but Tamkara reminds creators that nobody can do it alone. "You can't do everything," Tamkara emphasizes. "Figure out how you can do it best , and then put your effort into it. If you are in areas where you are not as proficient ask others to assist with your work."

Do not wait around for things to be flawless

Have something you want to communicate to the rest of humanity? Tamkara suggests taking the plunge and becoming a better person along the way.

"Don't just wait for things to be perfect since they'll never be perfect," Tamkara says.

"The path to learning is through doing. If you've got an idea, pursue it. You never know what will result from the idea. It's likely that your original plan will alter, and you'll have numerous iterations. But if you wait to achieve perfection, you'll never start."

Discover what you wish to do and learn strategies to make it happen beginning by establishing yourself.

"We learn to cut wood by cutting it." -"African Proverb"

All that Tamkara is aware of as an artist, she acquired from her job. It's a bit daunting starting from scratch But nothing is going to occur until you've completed your first steps .

"A number of people did not recognize my vision, however I was able to trust my inner conviction that it was something I have to do. In most cases the intuition of our minds can tell us things we do not necessarily know physically. If your subconscious is telling you to do something, your spirit has been directing you in the direction of an idea, look into it and go on that journey."

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