Luvvie Ajayi Jones

Who Is Luvvie Ajayi Jones?

Luvvie Ajayi Jones, born Ifeoluwa Ajayi on January 5, 1985, is a Nigerian-American author, speaker, and digital strategist. She is fearless, funny, and fiercely honest.

Luvvie Ajayi Jones is a four-time New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and book coach who thrives at the intersection of culture, business, and leadership.

Her voice carries across stages, pages, and screens. It carries into boardrooms, classrooms, and living rooms. Most importantly, it carries into the hearts of millions of people who need someone to say out loud the things they are afraid to say.

Her renowned TED talk “Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable” has over 10 million views. It has been transcribed into 23 languages and has placed her in the Top 1% of TED Talks of all time.

Luvvie Ajayi Jones is not just an author. She is a movement.

Early Life: Born in Nigeria, Bred in Chicago

Nigerian Roots and a Chicago Upbringing

Ajayi was born in Nigeria. She moved from Nigeria to America at the age of nine.

Luvvie moved to Chicago at nine years old from Nigeria. She knows firsthand how damaging stereotypes can be. “I talk about how being ‘othered’ has shaped who I was,” she said.

Chicago, one of America’s most dynamic, culturally rich cities,s became her proving ground. It shaped her voice. It sharpened her pen. Furthermore, it gave her the perspective of someone who understood what it meant to be an outsider looking in.

Pre-Med to Psychology: A Pivot That Changed Everything

She graduated from the University of Illinois, where she started as a pre-med student. She gave that up when she got a D in Chemistry.

Therefore, the world of medicine’s loss became the world of words’ extraordinary gain.

An alum of the University of Illinois, Luvvie’s background is in Marketing, Communications, and New Media. She attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she majored in psychology. She graduated in 2006.

This combination of psychology, marketing, and communications gave her a rare toolkit. She understood people, her audiences, and how to make words land.

Career: From Blogger to Literary Force

The Blog That Started It All: AwesomelyLuvvie.com

Every empire has an origin story. Luvvie’s began with a blog.

A 21-year blogging veteran, Luvvie writes on AwesomelyLuvvie.com, covering all things culture with a critical yet humorous lens.

AwesomelyLuvvie.com is an award-winning entertainment and humor blog that covers everything pop culture from TV, movies, and technology to life’s random adventures. Luvvie is a former columnist for EBONY.com and has contributed her writing to Clutch Magazine and Uptown Magazine. She is also a winner of the Women’s Media Center 2012 Social Media Award.

Her blog was not just popular. It was influential, witty, and the place where thousands of loyal readers came every week to nod, laugh, and think.

Digital Strategist and Social Media Innovator

Before authorship made her a household name, Luvvie built her career as a sharp digital strategist.

As a social media strategist, she helps clients maximize their online presence by using digital tools effectively. She presented at several conferences, including SXSW, the Nonprofit Technology Conference, BlogHer, the AFTRA Broadcast Conference, the Chicago Social Media Summit, FOCUS100, and the Social Media for Nonprofits Conference. She is also an instructor at StoryStudio Chicago, often selling out her blogging and social media classes.

Additionally, Ajayi launched AwesomelyTechie.com in April 2014 as a resource for writers, small business owners, and everyday people looking to use technology to make their lives easier.

Books: A Bestselling Literary Legacy

I’m Judging You: The Do-Better Manual (2016)

This was the book that changed everything.

Ajayi published her first book, I’m Judging You: The Do-Better Manual (Holt Paperbacks), in September 2016. It shot to number 5 on the New York Times Best-Sellers List in its first week.

In the book, Ajayi presents a collection of essays that critique facets of modern culture, including fame obsession and social media,  while offering encouragement on how to make better decisions.

Her debut book, I’m Judging You: The Do-Better Manual, hit the New York Times bestsellers list at number 5 in its first week. It was a stunning debut. It proved that Luvvie’s voice, so long celebrated on her blog, had the power to command shelves, bestseller lists, and national conversations.

Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual (2021)

Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual was an instant New York Times bestseller upon its release in 2021.

The book is a hilarious and transformational guide about how to tackle fear,r that everlasting fear, and audaciously step into lives, careers, and legacies that go beyond even our wildest dreams. Luvvie shares that she was once afraid to call herself a writer and nearly skipped out on doing a TED talk that changed her life because of imposter syndrome.

The book is guided by the influence of her inspiring grandmother, FunmilaFalolaalo, yin a professional troublemaker herself. It became Luvvie’s banner book and the flagship of her entire brand.

Rising Troublemaker: A Fear-Fighter Manual for Teens (2022)

Rising Troublemaker: A Fear-Fighter Manual for Teens was released in 2022 and became an instant New York Times bestseller.

In this year’s edition of her bestseller Professional Troublemaker, Luvvie uses her honesty and humor to inspire teens to be their bravest, boldest, truest selves. It extended her message to an entirely new generation.

Little Troublemaker Makes a Mess (2023), and Little Troublemaker Defends Her Name (2025)

Her first children’s book, Little Troublemaker Makes a Mess, was released on May 2, 2023. Her second, Little Troublemaker Defends Her Name, was released on May 6, 2025.

Little Troublemaker Defends Her Name sees young Luvvie getting into trouble on her first day at a new school. After a classmate mocks her name, Luvvie fires back and ends up in trouble with her teacher. Ultimately, she learns that her feelings matter, she can defend herself kindly, and forgiveness can open the door to new friendships.

This book is dedicated to all the kids whose names might feel too different. It reminds us that our names are worth getting right and celebrating.

Furthermore, the Little Troublemaker series has more editions scheduled for release in 2025 and 2026.

Speaking Career: Stages, Stories, and Transformation

Luvvie Ajayi Jones is not just a writer. She is one of the most sought-after speakers in the world.

Jones has taken the stage at some of the world’s most innovative and disruptive brands, including Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Twitter, Spotify, Nike, Bank of America, Salesforce, Deloitte, and Clif Bar. She has been a featured speaker at Cannes Lions, SXSW, Leadercast, the 3% Conference, and the MAKERS Conference.

Known for her trademark wit, warmth, and powerful storytelling, Luvvie has captivated audiences around the world for over ten years. Her talks have been consistently praised for their ability to spark conversations, provoke thought, and leave audiences feeling empowered.

Her superpower is clear. She uses humor to engage audiences and speak directly to the heart. When she walks off a stage, people take action.

The TED Talk: A Speech That Went Global

Her renowned TED talk “Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable” has over 10 million views. It has been transcribed into 23 languages and has placed her in the Top 1% of TED Talks of all time.

This talk is not just a speech. It is a philosophy. It is the single most powerful expression of everything Luvvie Ajayi Jones stands for, and it has changed the lives of millions around the world.

Podcasting: Professional Troublemaker and Jesus and Jollof

Luvvie is the host of a podcast called Professional Troublemaker, where she has candid conversations with trailblazers who have taken action, caused good trouble, and led courageous lives driven by conviction, humor, and honesty. Guests include Bozoma Saint John, Jenifer Lewis, Glennon Doyle, Sarah Jakes Roberts, Thasunda Brown Duckett, Tarana Burke, Elsa Majimbo, and more.

Started in February 2018, the podcast has over 3 million downloads. It was chosen as “New and Noteworthy” by Apple Podcasts and featured in their “BOLD WOMEN” collection. It was chosen as a featured podcast by Spotify, and NPR’s Michel Martin selected it as a “Must Listen.” The podcast was also nominated for a 2022 NAACP Image Award in the category “Outstanding Society and Culture Podcast.”

Furthermore, in 2018, Ajayi launched the podcast Jesus and Jollof, co-hosted by actress Yvonne Orji.

Activism: The Red Pump Project and #ShareTheMicNow

The Red Pump Project (2009)

Luvvie’s activism runs as deep as her artistry.

In 2009, Ajayi, along with Karyn Watkins, founded The Red Pump Project, a national nonprofit that raises awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls. Their work earned them a Congressional Record from the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as a Resolution adopted in their name by the City Council of Chicago.

This was a young blogger using her platform not for personal gain but for genuine social change.

#ShareTheMicNow (2020)

In 2020, Luvvie was co-creator of #SharetheMicNo,w a campaign that amplified the voices of Black women by having white women with large followings swap social media platforms with Black women. Participants included Kourtney Kardashian, Julia Roberts, Glennon Doyle, Brie Larson, and Gwyneth Paltrow, among others.

The campaign got over 20 billion impressions worldwide. Its impact earned it an honorable mention by Fast Company for “World Changing Ideas.” It also won the Content Marketing Institute’s 2020 B2C Marketer of the Year award.

The Book Academy: Coaching the Next Generation of Authors

Luvvie is the CEO and Chief Creative Officer of Awe Luv Meda, and founder of The Book Academy.

With a passion and proven track record of creating and launching successful books, Luvvie founded The Book Academy as a platform to help others do the same. TBA is a masterclass and coaching suite designed to guide students from the initial idea to the finished, published book.

Her clients have become New York Times bestselling authors themselves and national bestsellers. Therefore, she is not just creating her own legacy. She is actively building the legacies of others.

Adjunct Professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business

In Spring 2022, Luvvie served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Her course, “The Power of Personal Branding and Storytelling in the Digital Age,” taught students how to strengthen their voice to build a personal brand and create a visual identity to match their work.

Awards and Recognition

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign honored her with the Outstanding Young Alumni Award. She also received the Council of Urban Professionals Breakthrough Award. She was named a 2021 Rising Star in Forbes Magazine’s Culture 50 Champions list.

Oprah Winfrey chose her as part of her inaugural SuperSoul100 list as someone who “elevates humanity.”

Luvvie has also been named as a Black Enterprise Luminary Award honoree.

She was voted Influencer of the Year at the 2016 Iris Awards and is a past winner of the Women’s Media Center Social Media Award.

These accolades are not mere trophies. They are confirmation that the world is paying attention and taking notes.

Written Contributions: Publications and Anthologies

Luvvie’s writing extends far beyond her own books.

Besides her bestselling books, Luvvie has contributed to several anthologies, including You Are Your Best Thing, Hungry Hearts, Black Girls Rock, and How We Heal. She has also written for publications including the New York Times, ELLE, and Essence Magazine. Her work has been featured in outlets such as NPR, Forbes, Inc, Fortune, Fast Company, The Chicago Tribune, and more.

Full Discography & Publications

Books

Anthologies Contributed To

Personal Life: Jollof Rice, Shoes, and Family

Born in Nigeria, bred in Chicago, and comfortable everywhere, Luvvie enjoys lying around in her plush robe and eating a warm bowl of jollof rice in her free time. Her love language is shoes.

Her favorite color is red, her favorite food is jollof rice, and she loves spending her time laughing with her family and adding to her big shoe collection.

She is also the creator of LuvvNation, a social platform and safe space in a dumpster-fire world, serving as the go-to source for elevated conversations about all things buzzworthy, with over 14,000 members.