About Me
Kunle Adeleye
Hello, and welcome! I'm the researcher behind this public scholarship project. This research work is part of the requirements for the Doctor of Public Administration (D.P.A.) degree at the School of Public and International Affairs, University of Baltimore, Maryland.
I feel honored for the opportunity to contribute to an academic work that focuses on international migration and more specifically, the challenges highly educated African immigrant professionals experience far away from home. As someone who has lived and worked across two continents, I understand what it means to uproot, to rebuild, and to reimagine one’s identity in unfamiliar systems.
Through this research, I seek not only to document but to humanize the data, offering space for authentic narratives that reflect people’s resilience, challenge, and triumph. With academic and industry background and private and public sector experience in finance, banking and accounting spanning over several years, I know numbers don’t tell it all.
In this research, I chose a qualitative methodology rich in storytelling and narrative analysis to explore the minds and lives of 30 real people with authentic experiences. The study delves into how they navigate cultural assimilation, find employment, negotiate professional identity, and balance dual social, cultural, and economic obligations, among other challenges. I embarked on this journey to amplify the voices of highly educated African immigrants navigating professional and cultural landscapes in the United States. My work combines rigorous qualitative inquiry with narrative storytelling to explore the structural and cultural barriers affecting African immigrant communities, with a focus on highly educated Nigerian immigrants in Maryland—a state with a rich, diverse, and growing Nigerian population. Initially, I planned to follow 15 participants, but I ultimately interviewed 30 individuals: 28 from Nigeria and 2 from Ghana
Beyond research, I’m committed to advocacy and practical solutions. Whether through community engagement, policy dialogue, or educational tools, I aim to translate research into impact — empowering immigrant professionals and informing institutions of the urgent need for reform
Thank you for visiting. I invite you to explore the stories, themes, and findings across this project — and to reflect with me on what it means to truly belong, thrive, and be seen.
Acknowledgements
This project would not have been possible without the courage, honesty, and generosity of the 30 individuals who shared their stories with me. I am deeply grateful for their willingness to speak vulnerably about their journeys — the challenges they’ve faced, the dreams they’ve pursued, and the ways they continue to shape their communities in Maryland and beyond. I also appreciate the efforts and support of the many community and cultural groups who helped me during the recruitment process.
Special appreciation goes to my mentors and advisers at the University of Baltimore. I am especially grateful to Professor Mariglynn Edlins, whose work on immigration inspired the foundation of this project and whose guidance helped shape my thinking throughout. I also thank Professor Ivan Sheehan for his long-term mentorship and unwavering support throughout my doctoral journey. Thank you for all the recommendations and the opportunities. I am equally thankful to Dr. Sombo Muzata of James Madison University, Virginia, who served as a consultant on this project. Her insights, encouragement, and expert feedback helped sharpen the focus and deepen the impact of this work. Thank you for your availability and timely feedback.
I also want to thank all my friends and family for their support throughout this journey. Your presence, patience, and encouragement sustained me in more ways than I can express.
Select media files used in this project including AI generated participants’ images are sourced from Unsplash, Freepik, and OpenAI, and are gratefully acknowledged for their contributions to visual storytelling.
The following errors are regretted and are acknowledged on the website:
1. In the data analysis section, participant experience comparison between Africa and US should have read that Healthcare & Support participant increased from 4 to 14, and Entrepreneurship decreased from 2 to 0.
Dedication
This project is dedicated to the African immigrants who carry their dreams across borders, build new lives with strength, hope and grace.