Adaobi Okolue is the executive director at Twin Cities Media Alliance (TCMA), a nonprofit media arts organization equipping people, organizations with the power of media arts to shape narratives that advance equity and justice. TCMA’s work invests in storytellers centering the lived experiences of people on the margins and shifting what is perceived possible. Adaobi is also the publisher of TCMA’s flagship project, the Twin Cities Daily Planet–an award-winning online news publication dedicated to amplifying and connecting marginalized voices.

Prior to TCMA, Adaobi was the principal strategist at Coloring Circles LLC – a boutique marketing studio in Minneapolis that works with mission-driven organizations, initiatives, artists, and cultural producers. She also taught marketing as an adjunct professor at Hamline University’s Masters of Nonprofit Management program. Adaobi is often seen as an instigator for thinking of fresh, smart ways for solving problems, and is known for exploring the intersections of multimedia, creativity and innovation, story and activism in her work. She is also a Roy Wilkins Policy Fellow alum at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs and holds a bachelor’s degree in strategic communications at the University of Minnesota’s Hubbard School of Journalism. 

Adaobi is also known as a writer, visual and performance artist, and producer. She was a contributing artist to renowned Sha Cage’s and Signe Harriday’s Mama Mosaic–where she was featured in critically-acclaimed Blacker the Berry ensemble and exhibit at Intermedia Arts and Playwright’s Center. She is a Givens Foundation Black Writers Collaborative Fellow and VONA Writing Workshop alum. Currently, Adaobi is an Americans for the Arts’ Arts & Culture Leaders of Color Fellow and serves on the board of directors (vice-chair) for the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council.