N’Akua

Hi, I’m Naomi Akua.

I was born and raised in Ghana, where my family were missionaries, to a Ghanaian father and an American mother from Detroit. Music was always in our home. My dad and my brothers played instruments, my mom sang, and somehow I still decided I was the one who couldn’t.

At 18, I moved to the United States and I had no choice but to figure out life on my own, and for years that meant survival, and then achievement. I worked hard, built a business, chased a corporate career, and kept climbing. By 29, I had everything that looked like success on paper: a six-figure income, a family, a nice car. And I was unfulfilled. Something was missing, and I couldn’t name it.

I was about to turn 30, and I did not want to walk into a new decade feeling the same way. So I went on a fourteen-day fast and asked God to show me what I was made for.

On the last day, I was standing in my kitchen waiting for a smoothie to blend when something in me said sing. The voice that came out was one I had never heard before. I believe I discovered it miraculously. When I sang for my mom, she told me I sing like an angel, and it’s still the best compliment I’ve ever received. Even so, I kept it to myself for more than a year, because I was scared.

Not long ago, I finally sang in front of people. Afterwards, some of them came to find me, and a few were in tears. I couldn’t believe it. One stranger told me, “I really needed to hear that.” I’m still nervous, if I’m honest, but I don’t doubt anymore. I don’t know where this leads, and I’m okay with that. I’m following the voice in me, and the little girl who waited a long time for this.

I’d love for you to come along.