It was an afternoon of connection and inspiration as The Baby Lounge, in partnership with Caring Africa, hosted literary icon Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie at Stories She Carries, an intimate event that celebrated women, motherhood, and the power of shared stories.
The event began with a warm fireside chat where women opened up about the realities of juggling motherhood, careers, creative blocks, and imposter syndrome. Adichie encouraged attendees to embrace self-awareness and surround themselves with “secure people, not just successful people.” She also reflected on her own decade-long pause from writing, reminding women that life’s difficult phases eventually pass.
Later in the day, the focus shifted to the children, with a heartwarming book reading of Adichie’s Mama’s Sleeping Scarf. The author read aloud to an eager group of young listeners, sharing how her journey into motherhood inspired the story and how the illustrated character was drawn to resemble her daughter. The highlight came when the children performed a spoken word piece based on excerpts from the book, filling the room with energy and pride.
“I have been blessed to be the mother of my daughter. I didn’t know how I deserve her,” Adichie said, her words resonating deeply with both mothers and children present.
Itoro Ugorji, Founder and CEO of The Baby Lounge, described Stories She Carries as a reminder that shared experiences can uplift and validate women. “Chimamanda shared stories that refreshed, encouraged, and validated so many women’s journeys. It gave them permission to own their spaces,” she said. Ugorji also highlighted that The Baby Lounge is committed to providing innovative childcare solutions that serve as reliable support systems for parents and their families.
For Blessing Adesiyan, Founder of Caring Blocks, the conversation was a powerful reflection of women’s daily realities in Nigeria. “With the pressure of putting food on the table, raising children, and supporting families, the cards are often stacked against women,” she said. “Through Caring Blocks, we are helping women reclaim time and access proper care infrastructure whether it’s a nanny, a care centre, or simply peace of mind at work.”
By the close of the event, it was clear that Stories She Carries had lived up to its name reminding every woman, and even the children present, that their stories are powerful, healing, and worth carrying forward.
