From Roots to Relevance: Your Legacy Story is the Greatest Gift You Can Give
How many times have we heard the saying, “When an elder dies, a library burns to the ground?” This powerful proverb, shared across many African cultures, captures a profound truth that Obehi Ewanfoh has dedicated his life to exploring: the stories of our elders are not just personal histories, they are the very libraries of our communities.
Learn How to Leverage Your Story through our Story To Asset Framework.
They hold the wisdom, the lessons, and the cultural blueprints that connect us to our past and guide us into our future. For those of us over forty, this is not just a poetic notion; it is a call to action. It is an invitation to consider the legacy you are building and to ask yourself what message you want to leave for the generations to come.
In the communities of the African diaspora, from the bustling streets of Lagos to the quiet resilience of a small business in Verona, where Obehi is based, we see this truth in action. We see elders who carry the weight of decades of experience, of migration, of triumphs and struggles.
Their stories are the foundation upon which our families and our businesses are built. Yet, these stories, if not carefully preserved, can be lost over time. Obehi, a Nigerian writer from Esan, Edo State, has long championed the idea of turning these stories into tangible assets. This is the heart of his work, the very essence of the Story to Asset Framework.
He believes that by intentionally capturing your life’s journey, you are not just preserving memory; you are creating a gift, a strategic tool for the generations that follow.
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Obehi’s journey into storytelling began long ago, a journey that has seen him produce a 12-part book series on Barack Obama, a five-part series on The Storytelling Mastery, and a body of work that includes his early book, “Round My Mind.” With over a decade of experience in tourism in Verona and a commitment to identity studies since 2002, he has become a leading voice in connecting people of the African diaspora to their roots.
This is more than just an academic exercise for him; it is a mission. He understands that a well-told story can become a timeless vessel for passing down values, a bridge that spans continents and generations. This is what he calls “Your Legacy Story”, a personal record that your family can keep forever.
Passing Down Values, Not Just Wealth
Imagine a future where your great-great-grandchildren, a century from now, can sit down and hear your voice, not just through a grainy photograph, but through a beautifully crafted narrative video or a written memoir.
They can hear not just about your accomplishments, but about the hard-won lessons, the failures that taught you resilience, and the core beliefs that guided your life. This is the power of a legacy story. It’s about going beyond just passing down material wealth; it’s about passing down the beliefs, the morals, and the life lessons that shaped you.
For Obehi, whose background as an advocate for diaspora tourism, agribusiness, and cultural preservation has shown him the profound link between identity and success, this is a central theme.
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In his award-winning documentary, “Creating the Blackness of Africa” (2011), and his later work, “Pan-Africanism: Testing Ideas on Reality” (2015), he consistently explores how our collective heritage can be a source of immense strength. This is not just a theory; it’s a living reality. When a family understands its roots, it gains a stronger sense of self and a more resilient foundation for the future.
The storytelling process is designed to bring your history to life, to make it engaging and inspiring. With over 1,000 interviews to his name through The Obehi Podcast, which you can explore on YouTube at youtube.com/c/ObehiPodcast and other streaming platforms, he has a unique gift for gently bringing out the heart of a person’s story.
This isn’t just about recording facts; it’s about becoming a trusted advisor and an expert listener who can hold your legacy with care and clarity. This meticulous three-step production process ensures that every story is a work of art, a narrative that will resonate with and inspire future generations.
A Bridge Between Generations
Think about the Ubuntu philosophy, a cornerstone of African thought that teaches, “I am because we are.” It speaks of the deep interconnectedness of all people, the idea that our individual identities are woven into the fabric of our community and our ancestry.
A legacy story is one of the most powerful ways to live out this philosophy. It helps future generations understand who they are and where they come from, strengthening the family’s roots and creating a deep, lasting emotional bond between ancestors and descendants.
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In his work, which can be found among the over 2000 insightful articles at AClasses.org, Obehi always returns to this idea of connection. He knows that in a world that often feels fractured, the stories of our families can be the glue that holds us together.
By capturing these stories now, before they fade, you are protecting your family’s heritage and ensuring that its irreplaceable history is not lost. This is a courageous act of cultural preservation, a commitment to ensuring that the wisdom of those who came before us continues to fuel courage, ambition, and purpose in those who follow.
This is the time to be remembered in your own words, to speak to the future with a voice that is uniquely yours. It is a gift of immeasurable value, a timeless archive of your life and values that can be revisited, shared, and celebrated for generations to come.
Obehi often says that the greatest legacy is not what we accumulate, but what we pass on. So, for those of you who have lived and learned, who have built and dreamed, now is the time to start your legacy project. To begin this journey of turning your story from roots to relevance, Obehi offers a free 15-minute call to discuss your legacy.
Do not wait for another day to pass; start a conversation today about preserving your memory for the next generation. Your legacy is waiting to be told.
Learn How to Leverage Your Story through our Story To Asset Framework.
