Karemu Ayibulan

Names do more than build an identity. They transmit cultural, family, personal, and historical links. The internet is replete with quotations exalting the value of such monikers. But, for Karemu Ayibulan, it's more than simply inspiring. It's a reality. His name expresses who he is, where he is going, and how he got here. In Swahili, "Karemu" signifies "perfectionist, counselor, and compassion." Yet it's his surname that's had the most impact. The Marketing Director is a second-generation immigrant. Like many, his parents came to the U.S. seeking higher chances. When his parents fled Ghana, they followed a similar route. They found their new home, settling in Iowa City and embracing its Midwest characteristics. While following the "American dream" borders on cliché, Karemu Ayibulan acknowledges the sacrifice his parents made for him. He wears that weight boldly. Quite simply, he wants to live up to his name.