PARENT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Olaolu Ogunyemi
U.S. Marine officer teaches children about bullying
and self-worth in new children’s book
laolu Ogunyemi was not always
the strong and confident leader
he is today. This first-generation
American of Nigerian heritage had to learn
how to be comfortable in his skin when other
children did not understand his culture or
how to pronounce his name.

He drew strength from his parents,
especially his father—who arrived in Alabama
during the 1970s—and later moved with his
family to Louisiana.

“Some of the big things that my dad always
tried to stress to (my siblings and me) was we
need to always work hard,” he says. “There’s
a time for work, and a there’s time for play.”
Education and family were also important—
“knowing that no matter what happens, you
always should be there for your family.”
These three tenets would shape Ogunyemi
as an author, Marine and teen mentor.

His newest book, “Billy Dipper’s Time to
Shine,” which addresses bullying and self-
worth, published last month. Look for his
other books at parent-child-connect.com .

we have to get to understand what (kids)
are going through before we can lead them
anywhere. Understand it and be empathetic
How do you balance parenthood
toward them. Understand that they’re all
with your career?
I think one thing I like to say is I view time different and we have to lead them accordingly.

as one of our most precious nonrenewable
resources. I have to make every minute What can you share about your
count. When I’m at work, I make those new book?
minutes count. When I’m at home, I make My new book is all about self-worth and
those minutes count. (It’s) making sure that understanding the value that you bring to the
we’re able to—when we’re spending time people around you. In the book, you have a
together—I’m actually present and I’m not character who is faced with bullying, and he
bringing work issues into the home.

has to learn how to overcome that adversity to
truly understand the value that he provides—
not only to his family but to everybody. That
How have your experiences as a
included the bully.

Marine, an author and a mentor
influenced you as a parent?
I believe that some of the things that we
learned in the Marine Corps such as investing
time with people—we always talk about
being a “people-first” organization and
ensuring that you have the loyalty and ability
to understand what your Marines are going
through—helped me as a teen mentor and
with raising children. Just a simple fact that
TITLE Communications Officer
for the U.S. Marine Corps,
Quantico, Virginia; active duty;
rank: captain
FAMILY Brea (wife), Brilee (12),
Jacob (8) and Eniola (3)
FAMILY MEAL
Tacooooo Tuesday!
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE
“Only one can determine my
future. That one is me!” |
“Crow From the Shadow”
by Olaolu Ogunyemi
PIECE OF ADVICE Show kindness
and respect to everyone you meet.

BOOK TO READ TOGETHER
Other than my own books,
we love reading the
“Dog Man” novel series.

the back—specifically for the older (children).

They’re called Continue the Conversation
courses that allow parents to continue the
narrative and continue the topics in both
books, and they can get to understand the
child’s perspective and what the child is
comprehending from the book. They can
tailor that and make it a teachable moment
between them and the child.

What’s the one thing you hope
your children learn from you and
your career?
You can do whatever you put your mind to, and
you have the power to choose your destiny. My
career has been nothing short of phenomenal
because I’ve been blessed with great
opportunities by people who actually looked
Your books are about fostering
family connections. In what ways out for me. It’s been a wonderful chance to
can parents and children connect both lead Marines professionally in the Marine
Corps, and when I decided to finally publish
through these narratives?
The first thing is sitting down with the child. my first book, it’s a great experience to grow in
Reading is the most important thing that we that aspect and continue to push forward with
can do—just to have that conversation with providing other parents the resources they
them. In all three books, I put resources in need to connect with their children. n
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PHOTO COURTESY OLAOLU OGUNYEMI
O BY LINDSDAY C. VANASDALAN