Tope at The Muslim Association’s Forum
When Yinka told me that she had suggested to Kemi that I should be invited to speak at the Muslim Association’s Forum Women’s conference, I panicked — not because I didn’t want to get back to my speaking life but because I was nervous about taking RemiZee abroad, but I said YES anyway.
The conference theme centered around gratitude, and I knew that after everything Allah had brought me through, I had to be a part of an event with that theme. From the seamless experience working with the organizing committee to the surprisingly uneventful place ride here, and the immigration experience that reminded me that Irish people are friendly and nice, I was sure I had made the right decision to attend.
Oh! This conference was what my soul needed!! From sharing the stage with the amazing Layinka Sanni to meeting the most beautiful humans in attendance, this trip was so so worth it!!!
PS: I have to bring @sheeo100 back to the UK-Ireland area in 2026 in sha Allah.
Thank you, Ireland!!!
Tope at The UNConference
We are not alone….
⸻
The first thing I asked Sarah Mugo when she told me I’d been tasked with delivering the keynote at Cultivate: The UNConference in DC last Thursday was simple:
“Tell me about the audience.”
If I’m being honest, the moment she answered, I panicked—and that panic followed me all the way until I opened my mouth on stage.
Why?
Because many of the women in that room didn’t look like me.
And I wondered—would they relate to my stories? To the lessons I’ve lived and wanted to share? What if their realities were so far from mine that nothing landed? Even though I don’t have their skills, I felt yet again the anxiety of stand up comedians and performers ….
But here’s the truth I discovered (again): I was wrong to worry.
The women at the UNConference reminded me that we—women, across race, culture, background, and all the labels the world uses—have far more in common than what separates us. This journey demands a resilience that is truly universal.
And just like at the MUSLAF Ireland conference a few weeks ago, the conversations and feedback after my keynote affirmed it: our stories connect us, and we must keep sharing!
These moments are fueling me to keep showing up, to keep sharing stories that matter, and to keep reminding women—in the workplace and in our communities—that we are never alone.
If you are in Lagos or know a woman who is, please invite them to join the invite list for RISE by She-EO happening in Lagos on November 29, 2025. We will be sharing stories that heal, encounters that inspire. Join the list via email to ea@thesheeo.org
Tope at Decatur Book Festival
The 2025 Decatur Book Festival (DBF) is a milestone celebration—marking 20 years of honoring stories, voices, and imagination in the vibrant city of Decatur, Atlanta. Over the past two decades, the festival has grown into one of the largest community-based celebrations of literature, drawing authors, poets, publishers, booksellers, and book lovers from all walks of life.
This year, I am honored to be part of the DBF’s 20th anniversary Book Festival, where I will be exhibiting my books: Love In Cancun, Soulful Whispers, What Color Is Your Money?, and A Mile in My Shoes. Each of these books reflects a unique journey—through love, financial empowerment, or storytelling that uplifts and inspires. For me, this is more than an exhibition; it is an opportunity to connect with readers, spark reflection, and invite meaningful conversations.
Alongside my work, I will also be showcasing books from fellow authors and friends, including Dr. Otito Iwuchukwu, author of The Belonging Paradox, and Dr. Olasumbo Adelakun, author of You Are Enough: Defying Expectations and Thriving Beyond Skin Tone Bias.
The festival is more than a showcase; it is a movement that affirms the power of storytelling to bridge cultures, challenge norms, and shape a better future. I look forward to celebrating the voices of African women and diasporan authors who bring depth, resilience, and brilliance to the literary table.
Join us in Decatur as we honor the written word, amplify diverse voices, and mark this historic anniversary. It’s also the perfect chance to grab a copy of my books and others, engage in thought-provoking dialogue, and experience the magic that happens when stories meet hearts.
Walk a Mile in My Shoes
In this deeply personal and inspiring memoir, readers are invited on a journey of faith, love, heartbreak, and ultimate restoration. More than just a story, it’s a raw and vulnerable account of navigating life's broken roads, filled with both incredible highs and devastating lows. From the joy of meeting the love of a lifetime to the painful struggles with infertility, the grief of losing a parent, and the heartbreak of multiple pregnancy losses, these experiences shape the spirit and outlook of our lives. Throughout the journey, it becomes clear that it’s not just about reaching the destination but how the path is walked—through faith, resilience, and with the support of a strong community. With every chapter, readers are encouraged to embrace their own struggles and victories with purpose, to reflect, release expectations, and breathe life into their own dreams and blessings. This is a deeply personal account of how Tope Fajingbesi Balogun experienced rising above the lows and celebrating the beauty of life that far outweighs the ugly. Readers are invited to experience no dreams, no imagination, but be inspired by the raw and unfiltered truths of some of her life's most defining moments.
Ready to walk a mile in my shoes? The book is available on kindle and paperback on amazon, and in Nigeria at Patabah Bookstore (Surulere), and Hadiya (Lekki 1).
Still sitting on the fence about this book? Don’t take my word for it, I will let the reviews written by Aishah Adams, Professor Amina Sillah and the readers in this reel convince you.
Tope on Fox 5 DC
I sat down with Fox 5 DC’s Stephanie Ramirez to talk about my book “A Mile In My Shoes: Nurah’s Diary II.” We also discussed my journey to becoming a first time mom at 47, and how I am learning to balance motherhood, money and meaning.