As world leaders converged in New York for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), a different kind of gathering unfolded; one celebrating the power of African women’s voices. Nigerian fashion entrepreneur Nkiru Achukwu, founder of the contemporary ready-to-wear brand Zephans & Co, joined an inspiring group of African women leaders at a special reading of Her Story, the acclaimed anthology curated by Stephanie Busari, Founder of SBB Media and former Head of CNN’s Africa Bureau.

Held on the sidelines of this year’s UNGA High-Level Week, the Her Story event spotlighted women who are not only shaping industries but also redefining what African leadership means. The anthology brings together essays and reflections from influential women across the continent — trailblazers who have built businesses, movements, and legacies that challenge outdated narratives about Africa and its women.

For Nkiru Achukwu, the evening was both reflective and empowering. Through Zephans & Co, she has transformed Nigeria’s fashion retail landscape with designs that blend heritage and modern sophistication. Her brand is a statement of cultural pride and creative excellence — proof that fashion can be both storytelling and social impact.

“African women are not waiting to be written into history — we are writing it ourselves, one story, one enterprise, one act of courage at a time,” Achukwu said. “What Stephanie Busari has done with Her Story is more than publish a book; it’s a declaration that we are the authors of our own narrative, shaping the legacy and showing the world what true leadership looks like.”

Stephanie Busari’s vision for Her Story rests on a simple yet profound idea: that when African women tell their own stories, they reclaim ownership of their identity and agency. Not just for themselves, but for generations to come. The anthology has quickly become a cultural milestone, amplifying the voices of women leading across business, media, philanthropy, and social transformation.

Among the book’s standout contributors are Dr. Kemi DaSilva, founder of the Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF), which combats gender-based violence and human trafficking; Busingiye Matsiko, a Ugandan entrepreneur and mentor advancing women’s enterprise across East Africa; and Mary Dinah, whose humanitarian and employment initiatives continue to create pathways for women’s economic independence.

Together, their stories form a powerful chorus of courage, creativity, and compassion, a reflection of Africa’s new era of leadership where influence is measured not only in power, but in purpose.

As the world reflects on the decisions and declarations from UNGA 2025, Her Story stands as a quieter but equally transformative revolution — a reminder that storytelling is not merely soft power. It is true power. Because when African women tell their stories, the world doesn’t just listen. It learns.