:Draft:Lateefat Odunuga

Lateefat Odunuga is a Nigerian story psychologist, children’s book author, mental health advocate, and founder of One Young African, a social enterprise that empowers youth through storytelling, literacy, and education aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She is also the creator of the character Prof Lala, featured in children's educational programming and books that promote emotional wellness and cognitive development.

== Early Life and Education ==

Odunuga was born in Nigeria and later relocated to the United States. She holds a background in clinical psychology and is certified by the American Association of Suicidology. As of 2025, she is pursuing a doctoral degree in Community Psychology at National Louis University, focusing on the cultural perceptions of mental health among African and Black diasporic communities in Lagos, Nigeria, and Newark, New Jersey.

== Career ==

Odunuga has worked for over a decade in mental health and crisis intervention, developing tools and frameworks to promote emotional literacy and reduce stigma. Her signature methodology, the 5-Minute Connection Method, is used by educators, clinicians, and parents to support children with emotional and behavioral needs. She is the creator of Climate Champs Flash cards, Climate Heroes and Fact-Check Champs to address misinformation. These tools are currently being used to educate children and young people across the globe.

As a children’s book author and publisher, Odunuga has written books including Zuri's Quest: Managing Anxiety and ADHD with Kelvin, I Love My Brain, A Trip to Moody Zoo, Tommy and the Little Seed. Her work has reached over 15,000 young people and has been featured in school programs and literacy campaigns across the U.S. and Africa.

In addition to her publishing work, Odunuga is the founder of the Literareach Initiative, which distributes mental health-themed books to underserved schools. She also leads Prof Lala's Feelings Lab, a YouTube channel that educates children on topics such as the brain, emotions, climate change, and social justice.

Odunuga is a member of global policy and advocacy organizations, including the Global Initiative on Loneliness and Social Connection (GILC), where she serves as Vice Chair, and AFRINYPE, where she is a Global Advisor. She has spoken at international forums, universities, and summits on mental health, education equity, and storytelling as a vehicle for systemic change.

== Recognition and Media ==

Her initiatives have been featured by the U.S. Green Building Council (California), the World Literacy Foundation, and several Nigerian and U.S.-based educational networks. She is also a recipient of multiple fellowships in the areas of arts, youth leadership, and community healing.

• Sustainable Development Goals

• Mental health literacy

• Children's literature

• Diaspora storytelling

• [https://lateefatodunuga.com Official website]

• [https://www.instagram.com/thereallateefat Instagram profile]

• [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lateefatodunuga LinkedIn profile]

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