Inspiration Through Hardship
By Michelle Vasquez | Photography by David Teran
Shokare (Sho) Nakpodia has lived a life filled with exploring the world, from Lagos to London to New York City and now San Antonio. His life reflects a deep commitment to fostering understanding and collaboration through his brainchild, DreamWeek San Antonio.
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Sho had an interesting middle-class upbringing, including attending boarding school at 9 in his home country, finishing high school, and studying civil engineering in England. Civil unrest in Nigeria, due to a downturn in the local economy, presented hardship during a national election campaign, which led to the tragic assassination of his father, a corporate executive.
This loss left a lasting impression on Sho. It instilled a deep understanding of injustice and the need for meaningful dialogue in resolving conflict. “The violence that caused his death, and the apathy that followed, made me realize that we had to do better collectively and individually to realize our kinship in humanity fully,” Sho reflects.
Sho eventually moved to the United States, beginning his journey in New York City, and sought more of life’s meaning through writing and graphic design. “I drove a cab in New York to make ends meet, day traded options, did some modeling, and took courses at the Arts School to support my goal of becoming a writer.” These early years were marked by determination and resourcefulness, setting the groundwork for his creativity.
Sho’s talent and hard work led to his first compensated creative project: “My first creative project was a couple of illustrations for The New York Times,” he says. He moved to San Antonio to be near his sister, who had moved here some years earlier. A downturn in his trading portfolio, where “he lost practically everything,” forced him to reevaluate his motivation and passion. This turning point launched a thriving career, culminating in his own advertising and marketing business, The MightyGroup, and taking on the role of its first creative director.
The initiative that would define his legacy was sown during these years. “While at the MightyGroup, I founded DreamWeek to develop a brand that would assist in explaining the world from different perspectives and where I could direct my experiences and talent in creating its unique identity,” Sho explains.
DreamWeek was inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.’s ideals and began as a platform to foster open dialogue and celebrate unity. The event series includes workshops, panel discussions, cultural celebrations, and community-building activities, all aimed at creating spaces where people can engage in meaningful conversations and celebrate diversity.
Over the years, the summit has grown to feature hundreds of events. DreamWeek’s essence lies in its ability to bring people together unexpectedly. Past events have included Palestinian cultural celebrations, Jewish panel discussions, immigrant storytelling sessions, and LGBTQ+ advocacy events.
Sho explains, “DreamWeek is about the awe of humanity, its creativity, resilience, and potential.” The summit is a place for exploring the challenges we face as a community. He indicates that beauty and strength emerge when we come together. “Too often, we remain in our bubbles, unaware of the richness and complexity around us,” Sho observes. DreamWeek invites us to step outside our comfort zones and foster understanding between cultures while exploring issues like gun control, abortion rights, civic engagements, and immigration.
Though Sho was instrumental in its programming in the early years, today, the content of the events “is community-driven and organized by individuals and organizations alike.”
Sho has made a difference in the lives of others, personally and professionally, through his willingness to engage in conversations that may seem uncomfortable. For Sho, these conversations are about exploring, learning, and relating to each other to “discuss our shared humanity.” DreamWeek is not just about the events. Sho says, “It’s about the connections we build and the conversations we start.”
For more information, go to Dreamweek.org.
