Ayo Sokale is every woman as she paves the path for many young women who wants to be successful in the world. Originally from Nigeria, Ayo resides in the United Kingdom. She has already risen the bar for young black females she is a Civil Engineer, former Deputy Mayor, keynote and inspirational speaker, fundraiser of charities, a finalist for Miss Galaxy England, and Miss Great Britain. Ayo also uses her BBC show ‘Get Set Galactic’ to inspire the younger generation to consider careers in STEM which are careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. 

Peebles: Ayo your bio is very interesting who are you and what do you do? 

Ayo: I’m a Civil Engineer which is my profession I work in risk management I’m also a tv presenter I present shows on BBC. I have been a counselor a deputy mayor of a town, a fundraiser for charities and former beauty queen I guess you can say I’m a very eclectic person.  

Peebles: Ayo when did you realize you wanted to be a Civil Engineer? 

Ayo: I got started very early in life I knew what I wanted so; I picked my career in life as a young child at the age of 9 I knew I wanted to be a Civil Engineer. I knew what my values are the purpose I wanted to have just finding the tools and the right vehicle so I could drive that and that’s what I have been doing my whole life it has led me to do engineering, politics, charity work, and TV. Just following nudges to get me where I wanted to be.   

Peebles: Being a civil engineer is not for the faint at heart it takes a lot of studying and training along with dedication to perfect the craft. What is it like being a civil engineer? 

Ayo: As civil engineer I do many things from site supervisor to checking the designs of a building making sure they are built correctly doing testing the concrete to make sure you got the right prescription just checking everything. I’m on the site in a hard hat and boots looking nerdy I guess you can say. Now I’m in the management part of my career where I’m managing a project. I’ll take a project and do a former investigation to find out why something went wrong. We think about planning, the budget, commercial, the politics everything is in my hands to manage successfully. 

Peebles: You wear many hats how do handle the stress of your career? 

Ayo: I want to close out some of the chapters in my life in the next 6 months and stop working 18 to 20 hours days I don’t want to be congratulated about that. I have been reflecting on that in the last 24 hours. I don’t want to be congratulated on how intense or relentless my work or life is. One of my favorite engineers had a massive breakdown at the age of 28 he worked himself to the ground I think about that. You think all those people and what they achieve but, it comes with a cost. I just want to be appreciated for me.  

Peebles: What is the BBC show Get Set Galactic about? 

Ayo: I’m a presenter on the show I also do a little skit acting on the show as well. It’s a gameshow. About young scientists do fun scientific challenges where they learn about science and other mindsets along the way. 

Peebles: Ayo what is it like being a professional black woman in the UK? 

Ayo: I didn’t know I was black until I came to London. What I mean is that I’m from Nigeria and everyone’s black over there, so I didn’t experience racism they way you probably do live in America. The first time I realized it was when I was working on a project, and someone said to me ‘You’re different you’re not like the other black people which was bad because they meant they didn’t like other black people. That person who doesn’t like black people will make exceptions for you because of your excellence I want people to like me for me I should be enough. 

Peebles: You competed in some beauty pageants and was a finalist in 2 of them How was that experience? 

Ayo: My first pageant was in the year 2013 that’s when I got my first sash for Miss England Galaxy, Then I went on to do Miss Britain and Miss Earth pageants I have competed in different pageant systems. I have been in a total of 4 pageants which also has helped shape who I am today. It has allowed me to do other things as well like fundraising, and motivational speaking. I’m currently working on my first book which I’m very excited about so where I’m closing some chapters, I’m beginning others.”