Gloria Umanah

First generation Nigerian-American born in Atlanta, Georgia. Having lived below the poverty line for majority of her childhood, Gloria lived in over 10 different motel rooms along with her family of 4 sisters and immigrant mother over the span of 6 years. Through such a challenging upbringing Gloria overcame homelessness, fatherlessness, depression, and suicide. After nearly loosing her life to suicide at the age of 16 Gloria became passionate about fighting for those who feel invisible and cultivating a desire for greater purpose beyond circumstances within individuals.

Gloria is the Founder and Executive Director of The Ex-Nihilo Inc., an organization on mission to use creativity to transform lives and communities in unconventional ways. The Ex-Nihilo Inc. is comprised of four para organizations: The Ex-Nihilo Collective, Creatives Community, Innovate Kids Creatives Mentorship Program, and Hope Booth. Gloria dedicates her life to raising up and equipping high capacity creatives who use their creativity and ingenuity for greater purpose; to pioneer a movement where no one goes unseen and to transform cities and lives all over the globe.

Gloria has partnered with organizations and ministries all over the world telling beautiful and powerful stories of hope and redemption and has shared her story to over 3 million individuals worldwide online and offline.

Since the debut of the Hope Booth in October 2021, Gloria has intentionally assembled a crew of minorities from across the country to pioneer this movement with her. The team consists of black individuals all under the age of 30 with personal stories that tether them to the mission and the heartbeat of the Hope Booth.