Seyi Oluyole

**Seyi Oluyole** is a Nigerian choreographer, filmmaker, social entrepreneur, and humanitarian, widely recognized as the founder and Executive Director of the Dreamcatchers Academy for underprivileged girls. Her work focuses on using dance and innovative education to empower young people who have faced hardship and poverty.Early Life and Education Born Oluwaseyi Oluyole on October 4, 1992, in Lagos, Nigeria, she hails from Ondo State. Oluyole grew up experiencing extreme poverty and occasional homelessness after her family suffered a significant financial tragedy. This early exposure to hardship fueled her lifelong commitment to helping underprivileged children. Despite the challenges, she maintained a strong passion for dancing, writing music, and film production. Oluyole furthered her education by obtaining an M.A. in Human Services from Bellevue University, Omaha, Nebraska, and is also a professionally trained writer.Career Progression and Humanitarian Work Oluyole began her work with underprivileged children as a teenager, driven by a desire to provide them with the opportunities she lacked. This initiative culminated in the founding of the **Dreamcatchers Academy (also known as the Dream Nurture Initiative for girls and women)**. The academy provides shelter, basic necessities, and innovative education to girls who cannot afford them. She has dedicated over 14 years to this humanitarian effort. As a choreographer and dance artist, Oluyole has gained recognition for her dedication to the art form. In 2022, she received *The Lord Achievers' Special recognition award* for her impact through dance and the *Qdance Company* recognition award for her contribution to Nigerian dance development.Notable Works and Achievements Beyond her humanitarian work, Oluyole is also a respected figure in film and literature. Her short film, ***Gbera***, was nominated at the African International Film Festival (AFRIFF) and won an award at the Eko International Film Festival in 2018. She has also worked on notable projects in the Nigerian film industry, such as the television series *Tinsel*. In October 2022, Oluyole published her first book, a memoir titled ***Inside Life: I Bend I Don't Break***, which details her personal experiences, including surviving an abusive marriage. She is also recognized as a Global Citizen Speaker.Current Status Seyi Oluyole continues to serve as the Executive Director of the Dreamcatchers Academy, where she inspires and mentors the next generation of girls through education and the arts. She remains an active advocate for women and girls, utilizing her platform as an author, filmmaker, social entrepreneur, and choreographer to champion their causes.