In this inspiring episode of Own the Journey, host Thomas H. Douglas sits down with John Oke-Thomas—CEO, President, and Founder of Oke-Thomas + Associates. John shares his remarkable story of leaving Nigeria as a young man, traveling through Europe, and ultimately finding his way to Springfield, Missouri, where his accidental stop turned into a lifelong mission.
John reflects on his deep-rooted passion for architecture, from being fascinated by buildings as a child to launching his own firm and taking on historic projects like the Washington Avenue Baptist Church. Beyond blueprints and buildings, he opens up about the lessons of perseverance, communication, and the importance of designing not just for beauty but for people.
The conversation also dives into his role as a community leader, champion of diversity, and advocate for leaving a lasting footprint. With humility and wisdom, John shares what he’s learned about business, family, and the responsibility to make the world a better place during our short time here.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, community builder, or simply someone seeking inspiration, John’s journey is a testament to courage, vision, and the power of human connection
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!