Big City Dreams: Jumi Aluko

What do wedding planning, healthcare administration, and strategic marketing have in common? Literally nothing.

Well except for the fact that Jumi Aluko has managed to utilize her expertise in all three areas to quickly become an up and coming strategic marketing communications consultant in Los Angeles.

Originally from the east coast (the DC/MD/VA area, affectionately known as the DMV to locals), Jumi moved to Los Angeles in 2019 (moved to California in 2018 but a small town in Riverside county).
She is the CEO and Founder of Jumi Aluko Consulting (JAC), a boutique firm specializing in PR, Events, and Strategic Marketing.With over 10 years experience managing communications projects, planning events, and connecting people, Jumi works to create ongoing opportunities for passionate, hardworking individuals to get steady and consistent awareness around the work they are doing – work that is making a powerful impact on individuals and communities around the globe. Jumi’s consulting services have been used to execute major event productions for Nike, LA Fashion Week, and the Miss Black USA Pageant; brand management work for fast growing small businesses; plus strategic marketing communications for national and international nonprofit organizations in the arts, entertainment, and healthcare spaces.

Jumi’s passion is helping and empowering people and through her online platform, she educates, inspires, and motivates people worldwide to be the best they can be.

In addition to managing JAC, Jumi serves as a member on the Board of Directors at the Los Angeles Music and Arts School in East Los Angeles. When she’s not busy seeking new music to listen to or playing her heart out on her piano, you’ll most likely find her working tirelessly to maintain her upbeat career as a connector, relationship builder, strategic thinker, and visionary in the heart of California. Even though she’s still actively learning Spanish, she won’t mince words when it comes to painting, traveling, or trying out new recipes in the kitchen!

Jumi has a BS in Kinesiology from the University of Maryland College Park School of Public Health and a Masters in Health Administration (MHA) from George Washington University Milken School of Public Health.

Since being here I’ve been able to attend the Emmys and work both the BET Awards and LA Fashion Week – experiences that have taught me so much that will undoubtedly help me as I continue to grow my own business.

Jumi


How does your new environment align with who you are?

I am a risk taker. I love exploring, being spontaneous, meeting new people, and getting involved in the community. The decisions we make and opportunities we take are shaped by what surrounds us and the energy here in Los Angeles allows me to connect with that side of me which ultimately contributes to my personal and professional growth! Outside of the time we spent during the COVID-19 shutdown, I’ve been able to venture around the city, attend classes and various events all to tap into the adventurous side of myself here in LA to learn, get new ideas, and hone my creative muscle that I have found to be incredibly important as I build my career as an entrepreneur.

How do you enjoy living in a big city?

I absolutely LOVE it! There are so many things to explore and so many different types of people to connect with. You can truly build a community that fits you, and not one where you’re trying to fit in. And that is very important to me.

What motivated you to move to a big city?

I was ready for something new: new challenges, new opportunities, new people to build community with. I knew I had exhausted all my opportunities in my town back home and if I was really going to reach the goals I set out for myself, I needed to be in a new environment that was designed for big thinkers. Los Angeles fits that mold.

Why did you choose Los Angeles, CA?

I’m a big thinker, a visionary, and being surrounded by people who also think big is really beautiful and inspiring. The thought of having this kind of energy around me daily was exciting! There is so much positive energy here, and in my line of work – events and public relations – I seek this type of energy. In addition to the vibe of the city, another reason I chose it was for the opportunities. One of my goals has always been to work major live productions. What better place to get involved in and learn all about event production than in Los Angeles? Since being here I’ve been able to attend the Emmys and work both the BET Awards and LA Fashion Week – experiences that have taught me so much that will undoubtedly help me as I continue to grow my own business.

What are some things you are most proud of?

Moving across the country to build my business! After earning my Masters degree in Health Administration, I had just started working as a Clinical Research Coordinator at a top research institution in Maryland. I knew in my heart that this career path was not where I would thrive and live to my fullest potential. So, a few months into that job, I quit and decided I was moving. No job, no network, nothing. Just a vision to be a successful entrepreneur and a lot of faith in God.

Recognizing my strengths and not letting the pandemic completely upend the progress I had made in the previous years running this business. When COVID hit in early 2020, I was still heavily focused on events and my portfolio since beginning my business was rapidly expanding. The pandemic completely shut down my ability to continue to produce weddings and special events at the same rate. It was then that I knew it was time that my agency would be one evenly focused on PR, Events, and Strategic Marketing, so I repositioned my business away from solely wedding planning and shifted my focus toward my skill set as a marketing communications specialist and owner of Jumi Aluko Consulting.

What have you been up to and what can we look forward to seeing from you?

Since moving to Los Angeles, I’ve gotten involved in so much (and feel really blessed about it all!). My company has been able to support individuals, nonprofit organizations, and small businesses with their in-person and virtual events in addition to running marketing and outreach campaigns for respective projects. I also mentor college and grad students interested in this field, serve on the Board of Directors for a school that provides arts education for underserved youth, and work tirelessly to amplify the expertise of others, even those who aren’t my clients. Additionally, I partnered with a health media company to create a 20-episode video podcast called Jump in with Jumi which was focused on health and wellness education for African-American women! So what can you look forward to? More of all of that!
My goal as a Nigerian-American business owner is to really get to know and understand people, especially women – connecting and communicating with them so I can see how I can be of help. As women, we need to support each other and offer opportunities where we can mentor each other. What I plan to do more of in the coming year is to continue to create more content to support this mission, educating and empowering women, especially women who look like me and have had similar experiences as me.

www.jumialuko.com
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About Author /

Award-Winning Publicist | Media Strategist | Journalist | Author | Our Sole Purpose, Inc. Founder | Black Media Honors Founder & Producer

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