About Me
Every man has a code. Mine is all about how I can hold myself and others to a standard of class in my personal and professional endeavors. How I was raised with the understanding of those who have came before me allows me to:
- Strive to connect people with content that is quality in nature and meaningful to them.
- Hold myself to the principles of brotherhood, scholarship, and service as they are etched upon my heart.
- Be an extrovert (with introverted tendencies) who adds his own sense of style, flavor, and energy to challenge internal fears, situations, and cultural norms.
There are people who enter the room and have the ability to steal the air out of life, but I want the world to consider me an energy source, not an oxygen thief. I help the younger generations who come after me navigate their lives, explore their interests, and expand their horizons. I support businesses and people in their pursuit to connect with their audience and networks in more meaningful ways; through integrated marketing communications perspectives, public speaking, and social conversations.
While striving to serve as a credit to my heritage and stewarding the things that are within my responsibility, I’m honest enough to know I’m not perfect. But there’s hope and renewed grace daily at every corner, especially on Sunday’s. It’s a continuous iterative process to learn from challenges of the past, the changes of the present, and striving to keep life in motion—a state of forward progression.
—Profit Idowu
My Experience
Versatile, flexible, and tack sharp with a heart that bends towards people and digital creative partnerships.
I get energized by a big, bold, exciting, and maybe even slightly scary vision that gives teams purpose. But defining and living into the work ahead is hard to do. People are invaluable to getting the work done. Having a great team and leveraging their expertise is the antidote to that difficulty. Truly, I believe, there’s nothing stronger than the power of human spirit in community.
In my previous role as a Project Manager, I spent two years working at The On Being Project facilitating and guiding strategic initiatives at the intersection of emerging and established across many platforms. During that time, I had the opportunity to co-direct the organization’s first diversity and inclusion program called “The Placemaking Initiative.” Worked with many leaders to expand their content strategy and create media that supports engagement with a newly formed Community & Design team. On that team I:
- Launched the reimagined onbeing.org in January of 2019 (partnering with Upstatement) that receives over 12 million page views per year.
- Built out multiple new digital modules and capabilities to support their editorial strategy—like Starting Points and Libraries.
- Co-organized their first two-day intercultural competence retreat in partnership with Team Dynamics.
- Onboarded and co-led the integration of NationBuilder. Software for leaders powering community insights which led to the implementation of international donations, tax donation acknowledgment letters, and weekly email marketing campaigns for their flagship podcast—On Being with Krista Tippett and This Movie Changed Me hosted by Liliana Maria Percy Ruiz.
- Revitalized their YouTube channel. Increasing its subscribers from 3,000 to 11,000 (up 200%) in 6 months.
- Led the migration of multiple legacy RSS feeds from a self-hosted solution to the industry-leading publishing, distribution, analytics, and sharing tools platform—Simplecast.
The transition to exploring audio, what it means to be human, and podcasting with The On Being Project came after my time working at Fallon—an iconic full-service advertising agency that holds a distinct history. At Fallon, I worked on many brand initiatives like helping Culligan Water debut their first national brand campaign during the 75th Golden Globe Awards, sustain success with Arby’s and their “We Have The Meats” campaign, brought H&R Block back to the Super Bowl in 2017, launched Fanatics “Love Never Loses” campaign in 2016, and went to the heart of North Minneapolis to surface stories untold with Northside Achievement Zone.
In my hours out of the office, I even make time to run a small photography business focused on weddings, events, and portraits.
I studied at the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities and I’m always leaving room for improvement to take ownership of my education in pursuit of what’s best next. While I’m not very active on social, you can find me on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Non-Profit Board Experience
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
2011 – 2015 | International Collegiate Member at Large & International 2nd Vice President
Elected to an international position serving on the highest level of the fraternity—the General Board. Undergraduate chairman and thought leader guiding and influencing the direction for all collegiate members worldwide.
Where I’m Involved
University of Minnesota–Twin Cities | Keynote Speaker
2017 – 2019 OLPD Professions and Practice Course Speaker
2017 Tony Diggs Awards | Keynote Speaker
2016 9th Annual Equity & Diversity Breakfast
2016 Special Reception for African-American Students
2015 Experience Minnesota
2014 Freshman Orientation – Class of 2018 Convocation Address
Jack and Jill of America, Inc. – Rites of Passage
2015 – 2020 Stepmaster (Choreographer)
“In every good endeavor, there is profit.”
Education
University of Minnesota–Twin Cities
Business & Marketing, B.S.
Minor: Management
2010 – 2014
Woodbury High School
Diploma, General Studies
Graduated in top 20% of class.
2006 – 2010
Awards, Certifications, & Nominations
interactive: websites & Microsites (health) award winner
The premier source of inspiration for graphic designers, art directors, design firms, corporate design departments, advertising agencies, interactive designers, illustrators and photographers—everyone involved in visual communication.
2020
Mastering Digital Project Management
Certificate
Graduated a 7-week online project management course designed by Ben Aston for individuals who want to solidify their project management skills.
2020
Change Leadership, Certificate of Completion
Graduated an intensive, 4-week online workshop designed by Seth Godin
for high-performing individuals who want to level up and lead.
2019
The Webby Awards
Cultural Blog/Website Award winner – People’s Voice
Honoring excellence on the internet.
In the spirit of the open Web, The Webby People’s Voice is awarded by the voting public. Each year, The Webby People’s Voice Awards garners millions of votes from all over the world.
2019
Fallon
Q4 Employee Recognition (Above and Beyond)
This award recognizes outstanding employees who champions the spirit of the agency, clients, and the campaigns they work on.
2016
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Tony Diggs Outstanding Advisor of the Year Nominee
This award recognizes an outstanding advisor of a student group who has surpassed expectations to help their group accomplish its mission and goals.
2016
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
“Living the Ritual” Award
These individuals stand as a measure of excellence and change for their respective chapters and community members to do the same. Selection for the Living the Ritual award is based on 4 categories:
1. Core Principles
2. Dedication to Creed
3. Remembrance of Oath
4. Passion
2016
University of Minnesota–Twin Cities: Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life
Greek Member of the Year: Finalist
The Greek Member of the Year Award recognizes individuals who positively represent their chapter and/or the Greek Community. Individuals must also be active in community service and have strong academic standards.
2014
Clients I’ve Served
It’s not real until it’s shipped and I’ve shipped a lot.
WATCH: The time I stared down over 5,000 college freshman for their new student convocation address.