Ayisatu was born in London to Yoruba parents (the Yoruba people make up one of the largest ethnic groups in Nigeria) and lived in Nigeria, Germany, and Ireland before settling in Wigan with her partner and son and going on to have a daughter.
She has had lots of different jobs over the years, including being a hairdresser, retailer, claims handler, youth co-ordinator and communications assistant.
She now runs Idaraya Life CIC, a coaching service for women with a particular focus on racially marginalised women, and as a freelance service designer.
Ayisatu
At Idaraya Life CIC, we aim for every woman to enjoy full, happy, and healthy lives no matter what their ability is, or what they look like.
A particular highlight has been the success of our Health Habits for Life programmes, which have women coming out for weekly walks and having weekly health coaching sessions. Another highlight is the start of our ‘Momma’s Sports Club’, which will see women coming to weekly sports activities while having their kids cared for onsite, as the lack of childcare is a massive barrier to Black women engaging with regular physical activity.
The Yoruba people are well known for their investment in craft, heritage, and culture. We are also popularly known for our social skills and partying.
This heritage coupled with the importance we put on education means that we have a rich history of academics and entertainers.
My favourite part of being Yoruba is the language, which is so rich and wonderful for sarcasm, word play and witty turn of phrases. My son’s favourite lullaby is a Yoruba one that my mother sung to me, and it brings me so much joy to have transferred the love of the song to the next generation.
One of my main achievements has got to be my family. I was raised in a fractured space and although I definitely knew love and affection, I didn’t really recognise loyalty and commitment, so my life is a testament in my quest to be loyal and committed to those I’ve promised it to and to those who also deserve it of course!
As a I live a values-based life, all the work I do makes me proud and is in line with my purpose. This is a hard way to be as society dictates that you get a job that makes enough money for the bills and everything else is extra. I disagree and think that being able to live a life that is entirely based on my purpose and values while also paying my bills is a mega achievement. I haven’t found the right balance yet but I’m well on my way.
My message to everyone is that it’s not hard to support equality and inclusion.
If you aren’t a hypocrite and truly believe that everyone should be treated fairly, you should call out all the form of unfairness you see and have the power to speak about.
I feel the next thing we need to see for wide-spread change is that good people, especially those with authority and power, don’t stay quiet when they see injustice. This will help disempower the minority that live to maintain injustice and cause division and exclusion.
If you would like to share your story, get in touch by emailing pr@wigan.gov.uk.