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Ooro George
Verified
Journalist, Freelance
Nairobi
Beats
Biography
Ooro George is a Kenyan journalist, editor-at-large and corporate media professional with a passion for art critique, digital storytelling, and cross-cultural curation. He is driven by a passion to refine his skills and contribute to recording Africa's original stories while refining his creative and editorial writing skills. Additionally, he is deeply committed to amplifying voices, creating awareness, and fostering positive change. Ooro grew up primarily in the semi-arid county of Taita Taveta where his father worked as a game ranger at the expansive and world-famous Tsavo Conservation Area (National Park). Ooro's childhood experiences, growing up in Taita Taveta and having his dad work as a game ranger (wildlife officer), provided him with a unique perspective and a deep connection to nature and wildlife. Upon his dad's retirement, his family relocated back to their ancestral home in Nyando, a flood-weary sub-county of Kisumu, Kenya. (The name ‘Nyando’ is named after the River Nyando, which is infamous for its havoc-wrecking brown waters). From a young age, he fostered a deep connection with the world of media by immersing himself in newspapers and magazines brought home by his father. This early exposure not only kindled his interest in storytelling but also ignited a strong desire to understand the intricacies of journalism. As he explored the pages of these publications, he gradually became captivated by the layout, the content, and the power of words to convey meaningful messages. His fascination with journalism grew into a proactive engagement during his primary school years when he pioneered a classroom newspaper. With great zeal, he curated topics that resonated with his fellow pupils, addressing issues ranging from canteen food quality and dress codes to class elections and profiles of school staff. This endeavor allowed him to connect with his peers and engage in meaningful conversations, all while honing his skills in research, writing, and content creation. In September 2015, Ooro made his editorial debut on a national newspaper - The Standard, East Africa's oldest news publisher. And since then, his journey in journalism and editorial writing has been one of continuous growth and learning. Ooro has submitted several articles to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Sun UK, Times London, Washington Post, Telegrapher, and USA Today. While he's yet to be published by these globally-acclaimed publications, he has taken on citizen journalism and his work has appeared in regional publications like Daily Nation, The Standard, The Star, The Kenya Times, Business Today, Business Daily Africa, Viral Tea Ke, Daily Monitor and Daily News Egypt. His editorial work demonstrates a global perspective and his smash-hit essays have received rave reviews by editors, academicians, activists, and leaders across the political divide. Ooro's writing spans various international topics, including arts, culture, and social issues, often reflecting on global trends and their local implications. Articles such as "Parisian Olympic Spectacle is an Artistic and Cultural Call to Action for East Africa" and "The Ambani Wedding Reflects Duality of Opulence & Benevolence," which showcase his engagement with global cultural events and their relevance to East Africa. Additionally, his essay "Let the Global Streamers Mind Local Industries (Daily Nation)," discusses the impact of international streaming services on local entertainment sectors. His fashion journalism spans insightful pieces on sustainability ("Eco Fashion Week Africa Sets the Stage for Sustainable Future" in Business Today), cultural commentary ("East Africa’s Fashion Renaissance is Vogue-worthy" on Medium), critical analysis of creative processes ("Even though old is gold, hearkening to the past can hinder fashion creativity" in Daily Monitor and The Kenya Times), and even observations on public figures' style ("Rachel Ruto Should Strike Balance in Faith, Public Service & Fashion" in Viral Tea Ke), showcasing his diverse acumen. While interning at the Postal Corporation of Kenya, Ooro penned a promotional essay about the state-owned parastatal. The piece titled "POSTA Is Not Dead -- it's Alive and Kicking, Digital Age Hasn't Eclipsed Oldest State Corporation", was published by Opera News App, a microblogging platform that connects thought leaders and content creators from a wide variety of interest categories with an active audience of over 200 million users and rewards engagement with revenue and exposure. His stint at The Aga Khan Hospital allowed him to develop impeccable communication skills, particularly in media relations. This was reflected in his contributions to newspapers owned by Nation Media Group. Notable articles include 'Patients deserve the same level, if not better, of service' (Daily Nation, September 7, 2021) and 'Customer retention must worry businesses' (Business Daily, November 19, 2021). In honor of Customer Service Week, his editorial piece titled 'The New Customer Experience' was published by the Daily Nation newspaper on October 4, 2022. The issue of LGBTQ+ rights and inclusivity is of paramount importance to Ooro George. As a practitioner of advocacy journalism, he believes that every individual deserves dignity, respect, and equal rights, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. In February 2023, Kenya's Supreme Court ruling on non-discrimination based on sexual orientation highlighted the urgent need for more open and constructive dialogue on LGBTQ+ issues. This ruling sparked widespread discussion and debate across the country, revealing deep-seated misconceptions and prejudices. As a journalist and advocate for inclusivity, he has written Op-Eds on the subject. One of his most talked-about pieces was titled 'First cast the log out of thine eye, then gay speck,' published by the Daily Nation newspaper on March 3, 2023. Others are 'Teach Children to Embrace Allyship for LGBTQ Individuals,' published by The Kenya Times on November 2, 2023 and 'Kenyan Libraries Should Incorporate Queer Literature Without Exception,' published by Business Today Kenya on March 11, 2024. These articles challenged conventional thinking and promoted a fresh perspective on LGBTQ+ issues, emphasizing the importance of dialogue, understanding, and tolerance. "For me, this issue goes beyond legal frameworks; it is about creating a society where everyone feels accepted and valued. By addressing misconceptions and advocating for inclusivity, we can break down barriers and foster a more compassionate and equitable community. This issue is not just a matter of policy but a reflection of our values and commitment to human rights." -- Ooro George. Being an ardent arts advocate, on April 12, 2023, Daily Nation newspaper published his piece titled "Let's champion the arts for real change in society," articulating the value of embracing and entrenching the arts in society. In October 7, 2023, his essay titled "Let’s Embrace the Creative Renaissance by Immortalizing African Art and Culture" was published by The Kenya Times. In January 2023, Ooro participated in UNESCO’s intellectual challenge titled Framework for Enabling Intercultural Dialogue. The essay contest required participants to: • Demonstrate understanding through penning an essay on any one or more of the nine (09) structural and principal domains of the UNESCO framework. • Use the framework and present concrete examples from my context of how the absence of dialogue, exclusion, discrimination, marginalization, and other factors impede better understanding and sustainable peace at community, national, and regional levels. • Formulate clear recommendations that look into structures, values, behaviors, and processes needed for dialogue to work as an instrument for enhancing social inclusivity and building /sustaining peace in East Africa. His essay titled "TV Shows Play a Crucial Role in Unraveling Cultural Scripts" was ranked among the top 30 in UNESCO’s intellectual challenge, highlighting his ability to analyze global issues through a local lens . Ooro George's journalistic output is characterized by meticulous research, thoughtful analysis, and compelling storytelling. According to critics, Ooro's voice resonates within his local context and can potentially engage with broader audiences as well.
Society , Arts And Culture
Content
Company Info
Freelance
Freelancer.com is the largest freelancing and crowdsourcing marketplace in the world, connecting over 81 million employers and freelancers across more than 247 countries. Founded in 2009 and based in Sydney, Australia, the platform allows employers to post jobs while freelancers can bid on these projects. It is publicly traded on the Australian Securities Exchange under the ticker ASX:FLN. The platform supports a variety of work categories, including software development, writing, design, and marketing. Freelancer.com also offers contests for creative work, where employers can award prize money to winning entries. Users can choose from different membership plans, including free and paid subscriptions, which provide various benefits. The mobile app enhances project management and communication for users on the go. With a diverse customer base that includes individuals, small businesses, and large enterprises, Freelancer.com plays a significant role in the global online economy.
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