NYWIFT Blog

By Shayna Cartledge 

Welcome to NYWIFT, Ayo Oti!

Ayo Oti is a media creative, social impact professional, and emerging filmmaker. 

She publishes Sounds Like Impact, a curated resource for social impact podcasting, and hosts Audio For Action Live. Previously, she produced for How to Save a Planet and Degrees: Real Talk About Planet-Saving Careers. 

Ayo is currently developing two documentary films: one exploring first-generation Nigerian identity and another examining African American creatives inspired by Mexico and its artistic practices. 

Beyond her own work, she collaborates on social issue documentaries as a producer, supporting projects across production, strategy, and impact distribution to help stories reach and engage audiences.

NYWIFT Member Ayo Oti (Photo Credit: Emma Paton)

Could you give our readers a brief introduction to yourself?

Hi! I’m Ayo, and I am a founder, strategist, host, publisher, director, and producer! Lots of different titles, but mostly I identify as a champion of content that creates change, a builder of systems, and a lover of art.

Ayo Oti on set (Photo Credit: Emma Paton)

What brought you to NYWIFT?

About two years ago, I attended an event hosted by NYWIFT when I was still exploring what a career in film could look like. However, in the past year, two things happened: I ended up working as a program administrator and partnerships manager for ReelAbilities Film Festival, and also, I began working on two film projects, one as a director and the other as a producer. 

So, I wanted to join this community to continue learning from experts in the field and to take advantage of opportunities that could help me grow my career and develop my projects.

Ayo Oti on set (Photo Credit: Emma Paton)

What led you to create your company, Unofficial Social Chair?

Well, I had always been interested in social impact and, unfortunately, learned pretty late in my career about impact producing. But during the pandemic, I pivoted from pursuing documentary film because of how film and television were impacted, and ended up in podcasting.

When I was hired to the podcast editorial team at Spotify it was to be the Social Impact Editor, meaning I was curating content about social issues and I was partnering with our social impact and sustainability teams to amplify causes using our platform during campaigns, such as National Voter Registration Day, Pride, Earth Day, and more.

I pretty quickly realized there was a way to incorporate impact producing for audio storytelling. I started my company after layoffs hit podcasting pretty hard in 2023, to keep amplifying social impact podcasts, and to help creators figure out how to tie their audio stories to direct impact. 

Why is it important for you to focus on diaspora storytelling and social issues?

My family’s story is a story of migration, so questions of identity and belonging have always felt personal to me. My father was born and raised in Nigeria, and my mother’s family traces migrations from Saint Martin, the Dominican Republic, and Barbados to New York.

Growing up, I became fascinated by what happens when people re-root themselves in new places—how migration reshapes identity, culture, memory, and creativity. That’s why I’m drawn to diaspora stories in particular.

The social issues side comes from the same place. I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to live with dignity, safety, and respect and to build a sense of home. For me, storytelling is one way of advancing that idea because the stories we tell influence whose experiences are understood, whose humanity is recognized, and how we imagine our responsibilities to one another. Those are the stories I want to spend my career telling.

What is the most fulfilling aspect of being a media entrepreneur and social impact professional? 

It is, admittedly, not an easy time to be in media, or social impact, but it’s still an exciting time, I think! When I hear stories of podcasts or films that have been used to get justice for individuals or communities, it’s a reminder of how powerful the media can be. 

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far in your career?

Don’t be afraid to pivot. I’ve pivoted quite a few times in my career so far, mostly in terms of industry, but I have done some functional pivots as well. Every pivot is built on one another, so this idea that your past can’t be helpful if you change industries or job functions is just not true.

What project(s) are you currently working on that our readers should be on the lookout for?

I am producing a project for director Emma Jehle that we are both really excited about. It’s at the intersection of gender and sports, and we are hoping to get it done before the summer Olympics. Ambitious, I know! I can’t reveal too much now, but if your interest is piqued, please reach out to me. 

Also, I’m directing my first feature about African American artists from the early-to-mid 20th century who were influenced by Mexican artistic styles and the artists today who are developing their artistic practice inside Mexico. The plan is to raise money for both of these projects soon.

Connect with Ayo Oti on LinkedIn, Substack @unofficialsocialchair, on Instagram at @unofficialsocialchair, or on her website unofficialsocialchair.com.  

(All photos courtesy of Ayo Oti)