Meet Noah Omobolanle (nickname CEONOAHO) | Nigerian-American Businessman, Film and Television Producer and Actor, Philanthropist, Fashion Designer and Entrepreneur.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Noah Omobolanle (nickname CEONOAHO) and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Noah, what do you attribute your success to?
My all-time favorite quote by pioneering psychologist Angela Duckworth is, “I won’t just have a job, I’ll have a calling. I’ll challenge myself every day. When I get knocked down, I’ll get back up. I may not be the smartest person in the room, but I’ll strive to be the grittiest.” After setting foot on the campus of my dorm at California State University, Dominguez Hills, I remember reflecting on the experiences that would make my education experience memorable. I wanted to emulate the life I imagined I’d one day live, meeting success unexpectedly in common hours. So I mapped out a five-year plan. I knew I wanted to explore my entertainment and business acumen interests further, I knew I wanted to find community with other immigrants like myself and I knew I wanted to ultimately build a business with like-minded individuals. College was the playground for all my goals to be realized. I joined the board of Undocupower to use my story to help inspire immigrants and build a community of care and belonging. I was always surprised by how people responded when I voiced my dreams. Whether it was a conversation in a safe space or amongst my fellow immigrant community, I’d always hear back the dreams of others. That kind of symbiotic relationship I nurtured and found in the community led me to start an entertainment group called Top Dreams Universal, a fashion house and company called Sweven Voga, LLC, and a non-profit arm called N.O.A.H’s ARK of PURPOSE (N.A.P) Foundation. In 2020, during the unprecedented times of COVID-19, I discovered the name Sweven, which translates to Dream, and Voga translates to Fashion. Immediately after, I started my entertainment group Top Dreams Universal which is a preeminent producer of events and broadcasts worldwide; creating, collaborating, and bringing a renewed focus on excellent multimedia platforms. Around 5:00 am, in February 2024, I received a whisper to connect my life work to a purpose beyond myself which led me to start the N.A.P Foundation, which is committed to empowering and uplifting lives through discovering the purpose-driven life, which every one of us was sent into the world to discover. Three years ago, I won a SEED grant for immigrant business owners through an organization called Immigrant Rising. The goal of the SEED Initiative is to support the economic development of immigrant entrepreneurs in California. I was able to secure $5,000 in business funding to scale up my business services and come up with innovations and luxury-drawn designs. While building up my businesses, I have gained experience in event and entertainment management by working three seasons of NBC American Ninja Warrior, eight years of BET Awards, Netflix Nigerian American Live Comedy Special, Nick Cannon’s Ncredible Productions, and multiple large pro-special events and projects across the board. Because of my adopted American Dream, I’ve been able to be paid for my services and pursue my entrepreneurial passions.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I live by how you see your work as more important than your job title… This means that you can go from job to career to calling- all without changing your occupation. A born entrepreneur, multi-talented creative executive, strategic showbiz expert, and known by my peers as a meticulous “über producer,” I have an illustrious career as one of the most influential creative luminaries in the world. I studied Film, Television, and Media at Cal State University, Dominguez Hills. I have directed and executive produced countless film and television productions, ceremonies, award shows, concerts, and unique special events worldwide. I have a unique mix of unmatched business acumen and a wealth of experience in delivering high-end programming and productions. I’ve worked with an incredible list of leaders, musical artists, actors, models, and athletes which include international icons like Burna Boy, Estelle, Michael Blackson, Eva Marcille, DeVon Franklin, Damson Idris, Helen Paul, Fireboy DML, Millen Happiness Magese, Nyakim Gatwech, Yinka Rythmz and Akbar Gbajabiamila to name a few. I’ve worked on shows like the BET Awards, NAACP Awards, Soul Train Awards, AFRO Awards, American Ninja Warrior, Disney Plus, Snowfall Drama Series and multiple large pro-special events across the board, which has resulted in much global recognition for being unflappable in what might be the most pressurizing and stressful producing roles in the entertainment industry. I cultivate a creative ecosystem within every team I join and every project I take on. A moment that I’m most proud of is, when I attended Byron Allen’s 2nd Annual Grio Awards 2023, hosted in Beverly Hills, and had the honor to sit at the round table with Steve Harvey, Mariah Carey, The Rock, Kevin Hart, Don Cheadle, Eddie Murphy, and Jennifer Hudson, I pray moments like that last forever… I got to where I am today through the power of passion and perseverance. I’m always learning, I’m always stretching my brain in a new way, trying to search out a new theme. Innovate a new world. I chose to surround myself with positive people. I choose to fill my mind with positive thoughts. I choose to be positive in every situation. “The separation of talent and skill,” Will Smith points out, “is one of the greatest misunderstood concepts for people who are trying to excel, who have dreams, who want to do things. Talents you have nurtured naturally. Skill is only developed by hours and hours and hours of beating on your craft.” Where I’m at today professionally wasn’t easy to attain. I would add that without my hard work, effort, and failures, my talent is nothing more than my unmet potential. With my hard work, effort, and failures I was able to persevere in my professional life and career. My constant pursuit of reaching the most incredible heights has led me to find multiple successes by creating opportunities for myself and others. One thing I believe in is the idea of finishing strong! Finishing strong to me means consistently focusing and doing my absolute best at every moment, from start to finish. No whining. No complaining. No excuses.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m a lover of fine and boujee dining experiences. I’d take my best friend to my favorite restaurant called Moonshadows. Moonshadows is an award-winning ocean-view dining & nightlife with breathtaking panoramic views in Malibu California. This breathtaking spot with a tiki-themed patio perched over the Pacific serves lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. The best! After our worthwhile dining experience, I’d go shopping to window shop or eventually get 1 or 5 things (lol) then finish the day with a rewarding massage and a good read in front of a fireplace.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
When I pick up a book or an article for the first time, I immediately flip to the Acknowledgments. Like many readers, I’m eager to peek behind the curtain; I want to meet the cast and crew responsible for the show. As for this article itself, I have three individuals to thank in particular: First and foremost, I want to thank God my Creator for making me exactly the way I am today for a specific purpose. I am eternally grateful to my Mom, Folashade Aladesuru for her sacrifices, her kindness and love that have shaped my life in the most beautiful way. Thank you for everything, I’m so grateful to have you as my mother. A heartfelt thanks to my beacon of inspiration and mentor Dr. Helen Paul for her invaluable wisdom and guidance. I love you beyond measure. Put simply, were in not for the following friends and family members that were kind enough to impact my life and leave it better than it was found; special thanks to the Oluyide’s, Gbajabiamila’s, Adeola-Hazzan’s, Lipede’s, Bamisile’s, Edu’s and grateful to my loving Brother Uthman Ayodeji Ogun Laguda. And, finally, I am immensely grateful for the unflagging support of so many outstanding individuals, past, present and most definitely the future of all I do. If I’ve left anyone in the wings, I apologize; any omissions are inadvertent. I Love you all.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceonoaho?igsh=YzVkODRmOTdmMw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/noahogunoluyide

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ceonoaho

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/noah.oluyide.5?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Other: Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ceonoaho TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mrceonoaho

Image Credits
Image Credits: Zachariah Schmitt, Clifton Prescod, Trevor Kamhiriri