Meet Weruche Uzoka- Playwright, Poet, Founder.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Weruché Uzoka and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Weruché, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I started Weruche Inspires International (WIIN) because I saw a deep need to empower refugees, immigrants, women, and girls—both in the U.S. and in Africa. What began as a grassroots mission to educate, inspire, and empower has already reached three countries across two continents — with more to come. We’ve supported widows, orphans, and survivors of domestic violence in Nairobi, Kenya, and partnered with refugee resettlement agencies here in the U.S. This journey even led us to present our work at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

As our work evolved, we realized the power of arts and culture in building community and reshaping narratives. Today, WIIN focuses heavily on bridging gaps between Africans and Africans in Diaspora—fostering unity and pride in ancestry. Our stage play “Festac Baby,” which premiered in Los Angeles in May, gave African Americans the opportunity to learn and embody African culture through performance. We also created the Princess Naku book series, an evolving multimedia project that introduces children to all 54 African countries and two disputed territories, celebrating the diversity of Africa’s tribes and stories.

At its core, Weruche Inspires is about transforming lives and changing the world through empowerment, storytelling, and cultural pride.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets me apart is the way I blend creativity, culture, and community impact into everything I do. As a (self-diagnosed) neurodivergent creative, I approach life and work with a unique perspective—constantly connecting dots between storytelling, advocacy, and art.

I founded Weruche Inspires to empower refugees, immigrants, women, and girls in both the U.S. and Africa. Our work started with direct support—volunteering with organizations like IRIS, working with survivors in Nairobi, and growing into an international platform that has worked with organizations in France, Taiwan and reached the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. Over time, I saw how powerful storytelling and culture could be in healing and building bridges.

That led me to create projects that celebrate identity and heritage—like our original stage play Festac Baby, which premiered in L.A. and gave Africans in Diaspora (a term I now use to refer to African Americans) a space to explore and experience African culture. I also developed the Princess Naku book series (57 books) in 2021, to educate children on all 54 African countries and two disputed territories, using multimedia to foster pride in ancestry and highlight the richness of Africa’s diverse tribes. I had gotten tired of Africa being labeled as merely a country, instead of a continent. My desire to bridge gaps also stems from my background in human rights and my observation that, as a species, we thrive on familiarity — the more we know about each other, the more comfortable we become with one another.

In the past six months, I’ve launched Weruché Magazine to expand my journalism work and provide a platform for meaningful stories. My podcast, where I’ve interviewed about 50 amazing people, doing great work, has held that mission—offering space for thoughtful conversations that inspire and connect people from all walks of life.

The journey hasn’t been easy, but every challenge has shaped me. At the heart of it all, I want people to know that my work is about using creativity to empower others, celebrate culture, and tell stories that make us feel seen, valued, and connected.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If you have a friend visiting town, what are some spots you could take them to?
Day 1: We’d kick things off with a relaxed afternoon at The Grove. It’s the perfect intro to L.A.—a blend of shopping, great food, live music, and that sunny California charm.

Day 2: Time for some arts and culture! We’d head to The Broad downtown, then explore Little Tokyo or Arts District for street art, boutiques, and unique bites. Dinner at Bestia or Bavel—because L.A. dining is next-level.

Day 3: Beach day! Malibu is my go-to. We’d take a scenic drive up the Pacific Coast Highway, hang out on the sand, and maybe grab lunch at any one of the amazing seafood restaurants there.

Day 4: Back in the city, we’d do a creative day—maybe take a writing or improv class, check out a poetry night, or just stroll through Leimert Park for the cultural vibe. I’d also show them behind the scenes of Weruche Inspires play rehearsals or do a feature of them in the Weruché Magazine, if they’re curious about my world.

Day 5: I’ll take them to my favorite African market and then end the day cooking one of my favorite Nigerian dishes like Egusi soup, with pounded yam and watch afrobeat music videos.

Day 6: Chill and recharge. Maybe some spa time or a day at the Raven spa, followed by dinner at Castaway Restaurant in Burbank, or something soulful and low-key.

Day 7: We’d wrap up the trip to a local soup kitchen, where’d we’d help out feeding currently displaced people.

L.A. is full of vibrant, inspiring people doing amazing things—artists, activists, visionaries—and the energy here makes every day feel like a chance to create something new. That’s what I love most about it, and that’s exactly what I’d want my friend to experience.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I owe so much of my journey to my family—my two amazing kids, siblings, cousins, and close friends—who have stood by me through it all. I’m also incredibly grateful to IRIS, the refugee resettlement agency, and Emerge CT, where I received invaluable training during my run for state office in Connecticut, years ago.
My alma maters, Quinnipiac University and Columbia University in the City of New York, played a huge role in my journey — especially mentors like David T. Ives of the Albert Schweitzer Institute and Kenn Venit, who generously gave me several opportunities to share my story and teach his senior classes about women’s rights. I’m also deeply grateful to the many others who believed in my work and helped me build the confidence I needed. Since moving to L.A., I’ve found a beautiful, peaceful community that has welcomed me with kindness. I hope I haven’t left anyone out — thank you all for being part of my story.

Website: https://www.werucheinspiresinternational.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/werucheinspires/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weruche-inspires-international

Twitter: @werucheuzoka

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/weruche

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/werucheinspires/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@WerucheTV

Image Credits
image credits: weruché