In the realm of entrepreneurship, some ventures are born out of necessity, while others emerge from a deep-rooted passion to bridge gaps and create something unique. Dimeji Eyiowuawi’s journey into the world of entrepreneurship is a testament to the latter.
As a devout creative with deftness in writing, drawing, videography and photography, he has leveraged his multimedia skills to breathe life into his self-proclaimed idea of a plantain lifestyle.
In 2013, Eyiowuawi launched Dodo Gang, a global community of plantain lovers united by food, fashion art and events. Dodo Gang harnesses the power of cultural celebrations to create spaces where individuals can experience the beauty of art convergence firsthand.
Whether it’s a fashion showcase, art exhibition or a culinary activation, these gatherings serve as dynamic platforms for celebrating diversity, fostering cultural exchanges, and creating shared experiences that transcend geographical and cultural boundaries.
“Art is incorporated into everything we do with Dodo Gang,” says Eyiowuawi. “Even our apparel merch is artfully designed to add a touch of plantain-gangsterism to your wardrobe.”
Much like Dodo Gang’s apparel line, Eyiowuawi’s life is woven with vibrant threads from his early upbringing in Lagos, Nigeria. The very name “Dodo Gang” is a tribute to his Nigerian heritage and one of his favorite rappers, Wiz Khalifa.
Dodo means fried plantain in Yoruba, a native Nigerian language. After being inspired by Khalifa’s music and lifestyle brand, Taylor Gang, the budding visionary, felt his plantain-focused brand also shared the themes of unity and creativity. One long-standing influence on the brand’s name is tied to a childhood memory that Eyiowuawi’s family won’t seem to let him forget.
“To this day, my auntie and uncle still tease me about when I was younger, and the only thing I would say is, ‘I want to eat dodo, I want to eat dodo,’ he jokes.
Building a Creative Enterprise
Eyiowuawi maintained his love for plantains throughout his formative years and his later move to Ghana, where he studied geography and economics at the University of Ghana. While attending college, he became even more involved with the arts after embracing his musical talents as a DJ. As he approached graduation, he knew a traditional 9-5 career would not fulfill him.
“I did not want to go job hunting after I was done with school,” he admits. “I knew I wanted to pursue my own creative dreams.”
Driven by the desire to make Dodo Gang a success, the cultural curator began building his brand full-time immediately after finishing college. For Eyiowuawi, Dodo Gang became a canvas for his creative visions. It was a platform to express his journey of cultural exploration and, by extension, an invitation for others to embark on a similar voyage.
By Marcus Avery Christon
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Cuisine Noir Magazine is the country’s first Black food publication, launched in 2009 and dedicated to connecting the African diaspora through food, drink and travel. To read the rest of this article and more, visit www.cuisinenoirmag.com.
