Meet Glory Ebinama | Model, Program Coordinator, & Faith-based Appeal Founder and CEO of Chika Dibia (coming late 2021)

We had the good fortune of connecting with Glory Ebinama and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Glory, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
When you keep fighting to hold on, but it feels like its moving further from you. Thats when you know it doesn’t belong to you. For me its not that I am ‘giving up’, its that either its not meant for me or its not my season/time/calling. Or, you are either on the right track, or you need to change course. I have Faith in God and I consistently pray and have conversation with Him. He will open those doors that are meant for me on His time. My job now is to keep on going, if it doesn’t work out then change course.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am currently working on faith-based apparel which will be launching late August, and this is long overdue. Growing up, I have been self-independent and always looking for ways to make money because I was too young to get a job (You have to be 14 in the US to get a job). During middle school and high school, I will go to the thrift store, buy clothes, and resell it for a higher value. Then I started charging to create business cards, brochures, flyers, and even my time consulting small businesses on scaling their social media presence. Through my experience with social media platforms such as IG, I was able to help small businesses grow, but I took to using it as another form of income. The money I got from brand works; I had used it for college materials. I was sure that I wanted to become a social media coordinator by the time I graduated college, so I majored in Marketing.

Fast-forward today, I realized that these experience from middle school hustle life up till now was prepping me to start my own apparel business. I did not know this until during COVID-19; I was frustrated that I couldn’t find a good social media coordinating role. Some places I apply to end up being some sales job with a cover-up job title.
I was genuinely frustrated, but while still applying for social media roles, I was also modeling and helping one of my friends with his clothing business. I learned a lot from his brand and put to work what I learned in college and on YouTube.

Chike Dibia is my clothing brand. The name itself means ‘God is greater than the Devil’; however, one can interpret it the way they choose fit for the life. My brand is motivational faith-based apparel.
Our community thinks that there is only one meaning to something, and I want my brand to showcase that you shouldn’t be single-minded–let your mind explore and be curious.

It wasn’t easy to decide to do this; as I said, this is long overdue. I have thought about this so many times to start my business, but I was scared. I am not much of a risk-taker, and I have realized that (COVID-19 made me see life differently).
Starting my business felt right for me because I can spread positivity and help spread the faith to one another.

Although the door is closed for this season to work as a social media coordinator for a company, I am happy because I realized that I wanted to pay attention to smaller businesses and non-profit organizations through my talk with God. That’s why when I shifted my attention away from social media positions, doors opened up for me, and that’s how I was able to come to the decision that I needed to start my business.

I am a model who looks to stay fit and cook (catering business loading), I am a program coordinator for a non-profit organization, and I am a business owner.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am an introvert, so I don’t know many places because I do not go out often. However, I am a repeated customer per category. For example, if craving seafood, I have a seafood spot. My best friend and I have been in the same state for the past 14 years, and we recently started exploring our city (right after college).

Monday – Breakfast at Café Mezcla
(Columbia). We going to the thrift shop and Downtown Frederick, MD (it’s really beautiful there)

Tuesday & Wednesday – chill laid back. Probably go to the beach or walk around the city.

On Thursday night with Busboys and Poets in Hyattsville.

Friday – Amish market and Picnic date

Saturday – Easting at Urban Cajun Seafood (Columbia) or Iron Age (Catonsville)

Sunday – We are going hiking (SugarLoaf, Billy Goat, or Annapolis Rock Trail…not sure which, but we going hiking)

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First, I want to dedicate my shoutout to God for always being there (even when I doubt his presence). No matter what, he is always there for you and waiting on His time to open doors for you. I want to dedicate my shoutout to Soma Okoye (@soma.okoye) for nominating me for this opportunity. To my family and friends who were there through thin or thick. To my best friend, Karen, of 13 years (we are both Aries too!). To Tamarra, she reminds me to talk to God for the times I question life and my future. To those who encourage me during COVID-19 to bring out more of my creative side.
You see, I can’t dedicate my shoutout to just one person because it takes a village.

Website: https://www.cookwithglo.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gloryebinama/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glory-ebinama/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXtqiyWam06nCdrIE9F7FQ

Other: https://www.jamestalentgroup.com/glory https://www.gloryebinama.com/

Image Credits
Makeup: Tia Morgan & Photographer: Corrin Johnson Photographer: Jacob Webster (jpwphoto)