Our Foundations
Initially conceived during the 2020 lockdown as an online magazine to spotlight overlooked greatness, our mission was to amplify the achievements of individuals whose remarkable journeys were overshadowed by others deemed "greater." Over time, this vision evolved into something bigger. By the time it was realised, upthegreatness had transformed into an organisation dedicated to empowering young people through impactful initiatives and inspiring content.
So, how did we get here? Let’s dive in.
Relatable role model: After delivering our WDGM? workshop, some students eagerly waited for a photograph with our founder
When upthegreatness founder, Oluwani, first started mentoring students he became aware of how often it is that a pupil has a great idea but does not believe it can be attained because, they have never seen anyone achieve that level of success before. There were many goals that they would automatically dismiss out of fear that they would be impossible to reach. This mindset troubled him as he had been raised with the understanding that so long as you have faith in your actions there is no limit to what you can achieve.
This was how upthegreatness developed as he intended to demonstrate to the pupils at Whitgift [the school at which he mentored] that greatness is indeed attainable.
To show this, he turned to a host of friends who are successful in a variety of different industries ranging from academia to sports to film to finance. They came in and spoke with the students about their different journeys to success.
Though the paths varied, there were two common points amongst them all: one, greatness requires sacrifice – you have to dedicate your best effort to what you want to achieve; and two, greatness is only possible if you believe in yourself.
Given the student feedback that we received from the discussion series, it was clear that they internalised the message as they began to renew their thinking towards their aims.
The power of friendship: The first-ever upthegreatness discussion panel line-up consisted of Oluwani's classmates. (L-R: Joseph Golding, George Hammond, Eugene Martin[teacher], Reece Brown)
Oluwani, in his role as Old Whitgiftian Mentoring Lead, with his mentees (December 2022)
Greatness is within all of us, sometimes it just needs a little encouragement for it to manifest.
Listening to Oluwani's friends' experiences had the desired effect as the students could relate to them and were even stunned to hear that they had to overcome the same hurdles that the students faced now. Amongst the pupils there was a realisation that these great musicians and great soldiers and great entrepreneurs that sat before them were once walking in similar corridors wearing similar shoes. They had made a choice to pursue their greatness; a choice which these students now had the courage to replicate.
WFA MAGAZINE LENT 2023 ARTWORK 5.pdfWL MICHAELMAS 2022 13.pdfupthegreatness x whitgift school (.08).mp4