Simidele Adeagbo is a trailblazing Olympian, passionate advocate and inspirational speaker focused on building a better world through sport.
Simidele made Olympic history at the 2018 Winter Games, becoming the first Nigerian Winter Olympian and the first African and Black woman to compete in Skeleton at the Olympics.
She relentlessly uses her platform to inspire others and empower women and youth. Simidele created a signature master class designed to build leadership skills and uplift girls through the power of sport.
To date, she’s rolled out the program in Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and Morocco in partnership with various organizations including YEDI (Youth Empowerment Development Initiative), Nike Made to Play and Grassroot Soccer.
She’s also an ambassador for Malala Fund (founded by girls’ education activist and Nobel laureate, Malala Yousafzai) and has partnered with the organization to raise funds and spread the message of empowering girls to millions of people.
Simidele was also selected as a member of the Obama Foundation Leaders inaugural class in recognition of her work driving positive change across Africa.
Simidele Adeagbo – the Olympian, JCPS graduate releases children’s book
A graduate of Eastern High School And the University of Kentucky, Simidele “Simi” Adeagbo went to Carmicheal’s bookstore on Sunday to officially launch her new book, “Sleigh, Sleigh, Sleigh All Day.”
During her time at UK, Adeagbo became interested in the winter sport of skeleton. In 2018, Adeagbo competed in the Winter Olympics, making history as the first Nigerian Winter Olympian, as well as the first South African and Black woman to compete in skeleton.
With her new picture book, Adeagbo hopes to inspire young people to overcome obstacles and discover their true strength just like she has.
“As long as kids know their dreams are possible, that they can reach for whatever it is they want to do,” she said. “And as long as they persevere and keep going and push past the difficult parts, I think that’s what anybody, any child needs to know.”
