How Oche Bridgeford Turned Career Success into Community Impact
🎙️ Guest: Oche Bridgeford
🏢 Title: President & CEO, Palatka Housing Authority | Partner at Funema
🌍 Episode Theme: From Public Housing to Ivy League – A Life Built on Purpose and Global Impact
Early Inspiration: How growing up in Indianapolis public housing fueled Oche’s desire to create change
Formative Programs: The powerful role of Young Men Incorporated, Boy Scouts, and church youth groups
Turning Point: How losing his business in the 2008 crash led Oche to start college at age 29 with a family of six
Academic Grind: From community college to University of Pennsylvania—4.0 GPA, National Honor Society, and beyond
Barrier-Breaking Lessons: What Ivy League education revealed about access, equity, and power
Global Impact: Oche’s work with Microsoft for Africa and venture partner at Funema
Diaspora Identity: Reclaiming African heritage, building bridges to the continent, and owning your narrative
Creative Expression: His journey as an artist, designer, hip-hop performer, and founder of OjBoy Brand
Youth Empowerment: Taking teens in public housing to the Global Entrepreneurship Congress
Legacy & Leadership: The responsibility of being “in the room” and bringing others with you
Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi – Essential reading on building real relationships for personal and career growth
🌐 Website: ochebridgeford.com
💼 LinkedIn: Oche Bridgeford
📺 YouTube: Search “Oche Bridgeford”
🧠 Business Partner: Funema
“If I’m in the room, I’m bringing my people in. That’s the only reason I’m there.” – Oche Bridgeford
💡 Episode Highlights📚 Book Recommendation🔗 Connect with Oche Bridgeford🚀 Final Words
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