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Ogugua came to my studio on a Sunday afternoon wearing a navy suit and I immediately fell in love with his bone structure, hair, and face. At first he seemed timid, but as I got to know him and he shared his experiences of being incorrectly labeled, I got to experience a whole other side. He shared that people in the community label him as a rebel because he likes to have his natural hair and some feel it is unkept. But he wants to be himself and not live to others expectations.

Deeply passionate about his heritage, often striving for change, and so comfortable in his own skin. Life has thrown him some huge curveballs, but somehow, he finds joy in every day.

Delightful man.
I am a better person for knowing him.