Brandon Azuka DIBIA Okpalobi

CEO, Founder & President DIBIA Athletic, Dibia DREAM & Siyanse LLC

Brandon Okpalobi is a Nigerian-American former athlete turned STEM educator, youth advocate, social entrepreneur, and host; based in Miami, Florida, and native to New Orleans, Louisiana.

He recognized in 2011 the need to connect early education, after-school programming, and mentorship to improve grades and reduce “risky” behavior. As a response to the need,

He created DIBIA Athletic combining sport and academic education to prepare student-athletes in Bermuda, Miami, and New Orleans for advanced levels of play and to secure scholarship funding.

To continue fostering youth, he founded Dibia DREAMi in 2014 to spark change through STEM for school-age children who may not have otherwise been exposed to or felt confident enough to participate in the sciences. Since its inception, Dibia DREAM has reached over 30,000 youth in person in 4 states and virtually in 32 states and 12 countries.

Honoree 2023

SUPERPOWER

PERSON(S) YOU WOULD MOST LIKE TO MEET AWARDS

Brandon continues to invest in STEM education and inspire youth to connect the dots between classroom and STEM careers with his new company Siyanse, which provides product services and activities designed by experts and delivered directly to the homes of toddlers through adolescent-age students.

His commitment to youth and impact has earned him recognition on Forbes Next 1000 List, Black Enterprise Modern Man, and the Florida International University Emerging Leader award. Brandon’s efforts over the past decade garnered attention nationally from President Obama’s Council on Fitness, AT&T, and Discovery Education, where he hosts HandsOn STEM and engages over 50,000 youth. Additionally, he is an Orange Bowl committee member and Miami Foundation’s Miami Fellows Class IX.

WORDS THAT INSPIRE ME:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.”

-Nelson Mandela