Oluwadamilola Obamehinti

Why continuing an education is so important to her:

"Continuing my education is important to me because it represents both opportunity and responsibility. As a Nigerian-American woman and daughter of immigrants, I was raised with the understanding that education can create economic mobility and open doors that previous generations did not have. Watching my parents sacrifice so my siblings and I could have a better life, taught me that education is a privilege. I believe education is most meaningful when it is used to uplift others and create lasting impact within your community.

As technology and AI continue reshaping society, I recognize how important it is for underserved communities to have access to digital literacy and cybersecurity education. That understanding is one of the reasons I founded Cyber Culture.

Pursuing my graduate studies in UC Berkeley's Master of Information & Cybersecurity program has strengthened my technical expertise and leadership abilities, allowing me to expand the impact of my work. My education will help me build larger AI and cybersecurity education programs, mentorship initiatives, and career development programs that support women and other underrepresented individuals in technology fields.

For me, education is not only about personal advancement. It is about creating opportunities for others, breaking barriers, and building stronger communities through knowledge."

Oluwadamilola proudly supports:

Cyber Culture

Oluwadamilola, describe something that is plaguing young women today and explain what can be done to turn it around? What can you do to help?  

“One issue significantly impacting young women today is pressure to shrink themselves to be accepted. Whether through social media, professional environments, or societal expectations, many young women feel they can’t be themselves and that they must hide parts of their identity or constantly conform to the status quo.

I understand this personally. Growing up, I shortened my name to make others more comfortable because I believed fitting in required making myself smaller. Over time, I realized how important it is for women to feel empowered to show up authentically without feeling like they must change who they are. Today, I proudly use my full name, Oluwadamilola, because I no longer believe belonging should require self-erasure.

I believe mentorship, representation, and supportive communities are essential in helping turn this around. When young women see leaders who look like them, share similar experiences, and openly encourage authenticity, it helps build confidence and possibility. 

I want young women to understand that their differences are not weaknesses. Their voices, experiences, and perspectives have value, and they deserve the chance to succeed without sacrificing who they are.”