Imani Ogunro September 15, 2026

Rising Stars: Meet Imani Ogunro of Austin

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Imani Ogunro.

Hi Imani, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
As a children’s book author, a community advocate, and an educator, all of those things were very present in my life since I was young. Being that my mom founded one of the longest-standing nonprofits on the East Side of Austin, I was raised on the morals of helping others to strengthen the sense of your community. That just snowballed into all of what I do now.

I am a proud author of a children’s book called What’s That Smell? A Girl’s Guide to Hygiene. I authored it last year, in 2025, and I have the pleasure now to travel around Austin ,and the great state of Texas, to teach young girls that hygiene doesn’t have to be shameful. It can be extremely exciting and a part of your life that you can respect.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been so much of a smooth road, but it has been something that has been super fulfilling. I’ve had ups and downs and, of course, bumps in the road, but I think all of those things make me stronger. It makes me wiser and makes me more open-minded, and that’s something that I think is very important.

There’s never a time in your life where you should stop receiving information or stop growing. You should always be open and ready to receive new information, new ways of life, and new ways of thinking. Throughout my trials as a multifaceted individual, I’ve been able to add that to my repertoire of life.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I always tell people I’m the ultimate creative. I always like to brief people with a disclaimer before I start telling them all what I do because I have many jobs. I am an author. I am a teacher. I am a community advocate. I am also a pageant queen and a makeup artist. I work for brands like MAC Cosmetics, Danessa Myricks, and Too Faced. And I probably will add some more things in pretty soon, but I do them all because I love them all.

The overall theme is I like to create, create, create, and create some more. I never want to be ever in the stage or a time in my life where I can’t create, whether it’s through different types of mediums of beauty, art, music, writing, working out, cooking, feeling emotions, or mental health. I think creativity is what drives me. It keeps me alive, and that’s something that I will never downplay.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
You can follow me on all my socials @imaniogunro

Contact Info:

Website: https://www.imaniogunro.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imaniogunro?stkn=MWVhemY0anhlZG5vcA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imani-o-4823bb12a?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios

Five people standing in a bookstore, holding books, with a blue Book People banner behind them.

Woman standing in a cosmetics store, smiling, with makeup products on display shelves, store ceiling visible.

Three women standing in a cosmetics store with shelves of makeup and beauty products behind them.

Woman sitting on the floor reading a book in a bookstore, surrounded by shelves of books.

Three women holding children's books in a bookstore, smiling, with bookshelves and decorations in the background.

Three women standing outdoors, holding colorful gift bags, smiling, with a sign and pink balloons in the background.

Girl in a white shirt and sash standing next to a woman in a colorful dress, with a decorated background and balloons.

Smiling woman with glasses and a blue headscarf holding a children's book, wearing a blue dress and jewelry, in a room with a yellow wall.

Two women smiling, one wearing glasses and a headscarf, the other with braids, standing indoors with a pink tablecloth and flowers behind them.

Two women standing indoors, one holding a colorful children's book, smiling at the camera, with tables and people in the background.

Group of children and a woman standing next to a red convertible car on a street with people and trees in the background.

Woman wearing a sash and crown stands between two children in pink and leopard print outfits, in front of a red car.

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