Chinyere E. Oteh (she/her) is an information professional, a founder, an artist, a mother and a seeker. She is a St. Louis native who is now enjoying work and life on the east coast. After graduating with honors with a B.A. in American Culture Studies from Washington University in 2002 she began a career in youth development, arts administration, and teaching. In 2022 she received her MLIS from the iSchool at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as a Spectrum Scholar and AAUW Career Development Grantee. Chinyere has formed the basis of her leadership philosophy and style through her training as a fellow at Community Arts Training Institute, her near decade long experience as founder of Cowry Collective Timebank, founding member of Yeyo Arts Collective, Urban Bush Women Summer Leadership Institute participant, Jamaa Birth Village Perinatal Doula Training participant, BLACC – Black Leaders Advancing Community Change participant, YES! Jams organizer and facilitator and, of course, Library Freedom Institute participant. Chinyere continually strives to balance the demands and joys of motherhood, career and self-care. She also rejoices in synchronicity and serendipity!
