Tell us a bit about yourself...
Most people call me Dami, but my full name is Damilola Onamusi and I like to describe myself as an all-round creative. Full time, I’m the Events Manager for Nando’s but outside of this, I run my own events agency, Dash Events, manage two artists, rapper Keys the Prince and singer Dayasoul. I’m also in the early stages of building a fashion brand, All the Pronouns, a brand catering for all individuals irrespective of their gender identity or sexual orientation. So, in a nutshell, I’m a mad woman who enjoys doing things that align with me as a person and allow me to express my creativity in a wide variety of ways.
How did you get into what you do?
Funnily enough, many people think I studied Events Management – I didn’t. I graduated from the University of Kent, Canterbury with a BA in Politics and International Relations and was set on entering the world of politics until my final year. Between December and May 2013, I started exploring different jobs and industries, but none really resonated with me until a friend of mine suggested Events/Project Management as I’d been the ACS Promotions Officer and President in my 1st and 2nd year of Uni. After reading up on what a career in events management looks like, I started to apply for jobs. I got my first role as the Events Logistics and Marketing Executive in 2014 which started what has been a very satisfying and fulfilling career.
Who or what inspires you?
Who? My mother, cliché I know but she’s my biggest inspiration. I get all my best qualities from her and she keeps me grounded with everything that I do. She’s also a very selfless person and I believe I’m selfless too, which is something I take pride in. In regards to what inspires me, I’d say happiness, love, community and entrepreneurship.
What does being a creative mean to you?
It’s so difficult to describe this because it’s such a positively overwhelming feeling. It’s what keeps me energised and motivated. As a creative, you’re a vital part of the origin story. Your ideas are part of memories and experiences that leave a legacy.
What biases have you faced in your career?
Gender bias has been a prominent one. It’s often been perceived that I’m one of my male counterparts as opposed to the individual running the meeting or in charge of the event/project. There’s nothing wrong with being a PA, it’s just disheartening to think others don’t believe you’re able to lead. Conformity bias is another, when I was applying for jobs after graduating, I had an interview for what I though was a really cool company. I had a great interview, was told by the interviewer that I’d be great for the role to only be told along with other girls who looked like me, that we wouldn’t be a good fit for the company. The girls who made it to the next stage were all blonde and white. That was the first time I realised unconscious bias existed. That colour and cultural bias which translate into microaggressions, ‘Where are you really from?’ ‘Is that your real hair?’ ‘Your name is so hard to pronounce’ and other things, which make me feel less than and not culturally included.
What biases have you faced in life?
In life, I’ve experienced the same biases but they’ve presented themselves in different ways. I’ve suppressed most of the memories so can't really give examples but a lot of the time it’s microaggressions that make me feel less than or that I don’t belong. They also make me feel inferior and create doubt in myself.
What's your proudest moment to date?
Proudest moment to date has to be pulling off Reading Festival in 10 days. Seeing it all come together, not only reminded me of why I love what I do but solidified my belief in myself - that I’m capable of doing large scale events. In the past, I’ve been told to ‘know my place’ and ‘learn to walk before I can run’ but being at Nando’s has allowed me to run faster than ever before and I’m doing a pretty good job.
