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A: I was born and raised in Nigeria until I graduated college in 1997 at the same time touring with a band as a singer. Music opened the world to me and brought me to the United States in 1998. I continued with music through grad school where I met my girlfriend, now wife. Her mother was an Allstate Agent. She was my portal of entry into the Insurance world.  I opened Alpha Direct Agency and in lockstep was briefly an Allstate Agent.​

Q: Who were some of your role models or mentors, and how did they influence your career?

A: There were many mentors along the way. I’ve experienced a lot of support in our insurance community. We help to open doors for each other. Additionally, mentorship takes many shapes, so not to take away from any of the mentors and cheerleaders, I will respond by expressing gratitude to everyone who has supported or encouraged me along the way. I still hold dear the impact my father made on my impressionable teenage mind as I watched him dress up in his suit and briefcase daily as a businessman. It is the number one reason I am in business today.

Q: What are two of your proudest moments (professionally or personally)?

A: Proudest moments are tough to rank. As we get older, we create many proud moments; but watching our two children become independent adults ranks high on my list. Professionally, my role as the founder of Alpha Direct Agency makes me proud. Running a business in today’s fast-changing world challenges us to adapt; and doing so with the support of a great team like ours gives depth and dimension to our professional experience.

Q: As a Black professional in the insurance industry, what challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?

A: There isn’t a great deal of trust in insurance companies and the efficacy of coverages in the black and minority communities in general. This adds a grade of difficulty to growth, and sustenance of minority-owned businesses. Over the decades, I have seen more insurance companies focus on recruiting black and Latino professionals, which is a step in the right direction. The impact of representation is sadly often overlooked, much to our industry’s chagrin; so we do our best to be a beacon in our local communities; showing support to local businesses, educating our customers, and partnering with other professionals to bring about a new mindset around insurance.

Q: How do you believe the insurance industry can continue to diversify and become more inclusive?

A: The insurance industry can certainly do much more. I think spotlighting the influence and impact of black and minority insurance professionals outside of the month of February is good practice. I also expect insurance companies to leverage the vast capabilities availed by A.I data-driven tools to improve premium and pricing models in our communities. This should foster trust and affinity toward insurance professionals and our industry. The pricing models in use today in our communities are decades old and grossly incongruent with reality.

Q: What advice would you give to young Black professionals entering the insurance industry?

A: Get in. There is a lot to learn and a lot of work to be done. Sitting on the sidelines never makes a difference. 

Q: Are there any historical Black figures who have inspired you, either within or outside of the insurance industry?

A: Historically there are a few, but I will be brief by spotlighting the great W.E.B. Du Bois, who was the first black person to earn a PhD from Harvard but also published a lot of noteworthy work surrounding the black professional experience and racial relations in America. More recently, I am inspired by the work and commitment of the great Magic Johnson, who applied his resources to save The Atlanta Life Insurance company founded in 1905. As I said earlier, such generous philanthropy should be in the spotlight. This industry is worth the major sacrifices we all make regardless of race, color or creed.

A big thank you to Emmanuel for taking the time to answer our questions and share his life with us.