The Princess was born Carroll Ayo Durodola in New York City to a Nigerian prince and an African American mother. Her grandfather, Oba Owojaiye, was the King of Egbe in Nigeria.
Her Royal Highness Princess Ayo moved with her family to Nigeria when she was seven years old because her father, a medical doctor, wanted to practice medicine among his own people. In Nigeria, Ayo grew up on the campus of the University of Ibadan. Her mother, an editor, made sure that she shared with her children every story, tale or proverb, every new word and traditional norm she learned. Ayo's early exposure to African literature and art sparked her interest in writing and storytelling.
Ayo has been writing since she was 13 and has self-published 4 books for children. Two stories begin a series about her Dad growing up in Nigeria entitled Tunde, The Little Nigerian Prince & Tunde, the Little Nigerian Prince and the Soldier Ants. Ayo graduated from St. Anne's Girls High School, Ibadan and The Polytechnic Ibadan. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Ibadan, she taught English language and literature in Nigeria for six years. Since 1989, when she founded HADITHI, African Storytelling, now PrincessAyo.com, she has been a professional storyteller to ALL ages in - day care centers; elementary, middle & high schools; colleges and universities; libraries; festivals; hospital pediatric wards and senior citizen facilities. In 2000 she completed her Masters of Education & Human Development, specializing in Educational Technology Leadership from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Audiences can be involved in the exuberating experience of Princess Ayo’s storytelling, as she teaches about the greatness and excitement of the continent of Africa and how people can learn to live life better through the lessons of the stories.
Princess Ayo is now working on two adult books called I Spanked My Son, Your Honor and The Stalking of Joy Waite. Several other children and adult books are in the works from Princess Ayo as she continues her speaking engagements and Life Empowerment workshops using storytelling.
Through the blending of Princess Ayo's American and African heritage, she shows how the people of the African diaspora, Africa and America, can be brought closer together. Princess Ayo is excited about being a member of the royal Owojaiye family of Egbe, Nigeria but is even more excited about being a member of the royal heavenly family and daughter of the King of Kings, Our Lord God.
Bookmarks
Share
Save
[