Kemi Ilesanmi was born in Maryland to a Nigerian father and Black American mother, growing up between two distinct parenting styles. At 6, she moved to Lagos, unsure and concerned about what she would find after consuming only Western portrayals of Africa. Expecting huts, she instead discovered an urban city, still buzzing from Festac ’77, giving her an early sense of cultural pride and joy.
Living in Nigeria until 15, Kemi learned to navigate dual identities. On visits to America, she exaggerated her “Americanism,” but after returning permanently when her parents divorced, she did the opposite: she held onto her Nigerian accent and customs, not wanting to lose that part of herself. In college, she joined the Black Students Alliance, studied African American history, and made conscious choices to belong, while internally holding onto her Nigerian identity.
Since 2002, Kemi has visited Nigeria consistently, forming a new relationship with her background. After exploring Nigeria on her own terms and building stronger bonds with her father’s children, she now wants to be “of use” to Nigeria, “not just claim it as an identity.”
In 2004, Kemi chose to live in NYC, feeling she could be whatever she wanted to be, even if she didn’t yet know what that meant. She later formed a Nigerian girls’ group in the city—where they visit museums, host picnics, and share a group chat—to create a space where intersecting identities feel fully welcomed.
Her chosen object is a painting of Festac ’77 by her Nigerian uncle, a reminder of her first days in Nigeria and her relationship to art.

– Simone Oduola

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant