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

Hi Mo, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I’ve been blessed to call three incredible places home, each having lasting influence on my passion for the arts and culture. I was born in Lagos, Nigeria. Being from the Yoruba tribe, I inherited a penchant for storytelling, and a rich legacy of cultural traditions and cuisines that have influenced the world. I love the poetic nature of my language and though I’m not [yet] fluent, there’s a special sense of home and timelessness I feel when hearing my parents and the aunties and uncles of our community engage with each other.
My family emigrated to the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia around the time I turned six, and Atlanta, as we say “influences everything!” Atlanta, specifically Stone Mountain, brought me into my adopted heritage of African American culture, allowing me to find my place in the story of the incredible contributions Black Americans have made to the world–from Civil Rights leaders, to legendary musicians across genres, to the sports and media industries headquartered here. Some of my first professional internships were at CNN and Turner Broadcasting (now Warner Media), which gave me access to a global vantage point at a young age.
I moved to Los Angeles for college at USC and spent my twenties there–LA is a global capital for culture and creativity, but I also found a sense of intimate community there that made the whole city feel like my backyard.
I’m constantly in awe that God wove these three cities into my story. I’ve also spent meaningful time in the cities of Hong Kong and Pittsburgh–very different in size and scale, but each gives me a special appreciation for understanding how the physical spaces and monuments of cities impact a local sense of identity.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
The Momentum Company, also known as Momentum Co. or the Momentum Collaborative, is a strategic consultancy that advises clients in the space of brand, creative, communications, and leadership. I am most proud of having a portfolio of clients that range from foundations fronted by notable public figures and cultural icons, to first-time founders trusting us to be their thought partner as they take a big leap. Our clients mostly span education and public agencies, technology, and philanthropy–all sectors actively shaping our collective future. We are also building a specialty practice in public spaces, installations, and the built environment.
Growing up, I wasn’t interested in entrepreneurship, but I had a desire to be a strategic and creative mind that worked at the intersection of multiple industries. As a teenager I wanted to be a magazine editor or diplomat, and I now run Momentum with design principles of “What story are we trying to tell? What cultures are we trying to bridge?”
Getting here was not easy, but looking back at my journey, it almost feels inevitable and there was a hand of grace guiding each step. After graduating from college, I worked in industry events and influencer marketing and had a front-row seat to decision-makers from Fortune 100 companies. I quickly learned the truth that all that glitters is not gold. I’m grateful that I eventually found my footing as a brand and communications lead at Tala, a venture-backed fintech firm creating financial services for the global majority, working alongside a passionate leadership team and brilliant colleagues who felt like home. I was later recruited by Edelman, where I learned firsthand from some of the world’s best communication strategists, followed by a brief stint as a director at a progressive PR firm where my day-to-day involved advising C-suite leaders, investors, and well-known creatives.
I loved parts of each of these roles, but as a whole, I found my career demanded significantly more from me than it was giving. My decision to go independent came after realizing I wanted to live and work in a way that was sustainable for my wellbeing, and that gave me the agency to choose clients who weren’t interested in building empires but catalyzing movements.
Outside of Momentum, I am a hardcore history, art, and museum nerd. I spend most of my time thinking about architecture, and lately, I’ve been obsessed with understanding the physics of spacetime and black holes. All my nerdy fixations make their way into my practice at Momentum, and my clients choose us knowing they’re selecting thoughtful partners who will bring out the best in their companies, and make space to bring out the wonder in them as people.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Since returning to Atlanta as a home base in 2024, I am in constant awe of the Beltline. I don’t think it’s possible to be tired of it! I am passionate about public spaces and building walkable, inclusive cities, so the Beltline–with all its imperfections– is a living testament to this.
A week long trip should include indulgent strolls throughout the Beltline, a hike through Stone Mountain Park, sauntering around Ponce City Market, grabbing brunch at Cafe Intermezzo and a late lunch at Muchacho, stopping by any of Switchyards’ beautiful workspaces for a few hours of reading or remote work, lattes from Portrait Coffee and Gilly Brew Bar, spa time at any of the palatial Korean Spas in Doraville, and boba from Glaze Tea! Then you can wrap the week on a spiritual and reflective note by attending a service at Passion City Church!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am the fruit of the work and dedication of dozens of people, especially women, who saw a young bookworm with a smart mouth and patiently decided to cultivate a leader! From my teachers and other parents in Dekalb County schools, my editors at VOX Teen Communications, my parents, aunts, and siblings, countless mentors from USC and mover y career, and my incredible tribe of friends–I am who I am because each of these people took notice of me, my quirks and interests, and helped me identify the next step forward.
On a foundational level, I am nothing without Jesus–the writer and perfecter of my story.

Website: https://www.momentumcollaborative.co/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moalabi/

Image Credits
Charity Dodd (Compass photo)

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