Nigerian-born Ifeoma Fafunwa has been called a social impact theatre maker, and her world-renowned play “Hear Word!” certainly earns her that title. The internationally acclaimed work amplifies women’s voices, stories, and struggles. True to her Naija roots, Ifeoma has embraced many creative roles — playwright, director, actor, activist, and fundraiser — just to name a few. A proud mother of four, she is a true tour de force, gracefully balancing family life and Africa’s entertainment scene.

In this real-talk interview, Ifeoma and I chat casually as we reminisce about our early days in Hollywood chasing stardom. We were international fish in a national pond. But at last, Fafunwa broke free from Hollywood’s culturally restrictive box and returned to Nigeria, where she now shines even brighter than the stars on the Walk of Fame. You’ll notice that our nostalgic conversation brings out Ifeoma’s lighter, more playful side — the same energy that we in America and “La-La Land” still miss. Yet we’re proud to share this now-rising global star with the world.