Yinka Odeajo has recently achieved a groundbreaking milestone by becoming the first black male and now the second black person to hold the prestigious position of the 71st president of the Rotary Club in Crawley, United Kingdom. His extensive expertise in the fields of business, education, and community service has uniquely positioned Yinka to bring a rich array of experiences and a unique viewpoint to his new leadership role. This historic appointment not only highlights Yinka’s remarkable accomplishments but also signifies a significant step towards diversity and inclusivity within the organization.
Reflecting on his journey, Yinka shared, “I was brought into Rotary some years ago, and the essence of coming into Rotary is to serve. As a student of power, it is a huge honor for me to become the first black male and 71st president of the Rotary Club of Crawley. I’ve always been a whispering voice to power, providing support to the people in power, but now, I’ve become one to be whispered to, and I am privileged to serve in every true sense of the word.”
Yinka’s vision for the Rotary Club of Crawley is ambitious. He aims to reposition the club as a multicultural hub and the leading club in the district in terms of community outreach. “I want to reposition the Rotary Club of Crawley in terms of making it a multicultural club. I also want it to be the best club in the district in terms of reaching out to the community, and I’m confident that my fellow Rotarians will support me in doing this,” he said.
A major focus of Yinka’s presidency will be mental health. “The mental well-being of people is very important. People are falling into mental health issues because of the pressure of life and the cost of living, and we really need to pay attention and help ourselves as that is one of the bases of humanity,” he emphasized. Yinka plans to collaborate with agencies and stakeholders, including organizations like Alliance for Better Care, to support this cause.
Yinka’s journey began in Nigeria, where he attended his primary qnd secondary school in Lagos before graduating his tertiary education in Plateau. His educational pursuits continued in the United Kingdom where the black and minority groups became his focus to further honed his skills and deepened his knowledge. Understanding the unique challenges faced by the black community, Yinka is currently involved in research concerning the mental well-being of this demographic at the University of Kent. Through his research, he aims to initiate meaningful dialogue and inspire actionable change within both the community and broader society.
Yinka’s professional journey is marked by impressive accomplishments and leadership positions. As the managing partner of Custodian Global Consult Limited, a well-respected consultancy firm, Yinka has demonstrated his expertise in strategic media solutions and business management. Yinka is also the creative force behind Bold and Beautiful Magazine International, a platform dedicated to showcasing and uplifting individuals through inspiring stories of resilience and triumph.
He has overseen international events, including the Duchess International Women’s Day Conference, which connects, empowers, and celebrates African women globally. Also, he is invested in bringing prominence to investments in Nigeria and runs a music platform for afrobeats and other diverse genre globally. In his role within the African Community in Surrey & Sussex (ACISS), Yinka works tirelessly to empower and assist the African diaspora. Through his leadership, ACISS bridges cultural divides and promotes mutual understanding among diverse groups.
