Who is Olaolu? | As seen in… | Writing Awards | What is Parent-Child-Connect? | Testimonials
“Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor.”
Proverbs 18:12 NLT
WHO IS OLAOLU??
Olaolu Ogunyemi is a leadership development speaker, award-winning author, and U.S. Marine Officer building the next generation of resilient, purpose-driven leaders at work and at home. As founder of Parent-Child-Connect, he equips parents, educators, and organizations with the tools, stories, and strategies to develop leaders at every age and stage.
His path to this mission is anything but ordinary. Born the fifth of six children in Ruston, Louisiana, Olaolu graduated with honors from Simsboro High School before earning his degree cum laude in Computer Information Systems from Grambling State University, where he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps, becoming the first Marine officer to come from GSU in over three decades. That moment — a kid from Ruston making history — is the origin of everything P2C stands for: you determine your own future.
While at GSU, Olaolu was actively engaged in organizations and community service initiatives, including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Beta Gamma Sigma Honors Fraternity, the Earl Lester Cole Honors College, and local churches. Known since childhood as the “life of the party,” Olaolu brings that same irrepressible energy to every stage, every book, and every page of this site. He shares his life’s journey with his wife, Brea, and their three children, Brilee, Jacob, and Eniola.
Olaolu’s passion for storytelling led him to become an Amazon best-selling children’s book author, with titles like Crow From the Shadow, Horace the Horsefly, and Billy Dipper’s Time to Shine. His engaging and insightful writing has earned him multiple awards and has been featured in numerous publications, including Leatherneck Magazine, Military Families Magazine, and Marine Corps Gazette. As a YouVersion content partner, he creates Bible plans that inspire resilience, discipline, and faith-based leadership.
Beyond writing, Olaolu is committed to making a global impact through volunteer work, mentoring, and speaking engagements. Whether through books, faith-based content, or community service, he remains dedicated to fostering strong, meaningful connections between parents, teachers, mentors, and children.
Olaolu has been featured in:
Featured in the Military Families Magazine (October 2023 edition)!
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My S.T.R.U.C.T.U.R.E. framework was featured in the Forbes article, “How To Stop Useless Meetings: New Structure for Transparent Leadership.”
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Writing Awards
Marine Corps University Foundation and Alumni Association 2022 Mutter Marines Command and Control Writing Award.
2023 Readers’ Favorite Bronze Medal Award for Crow From the Shadow.
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What is Parent-Child-Connect (P2C)?
Creating Leaders Through Connection
Parent-Child-Connect (P2C) began with a vision: to help parents, teachers, mentors, and caregivers connect with the children in their lives through fun, educational, and memorable moments. These intentional connections lay the foundation for personal growth, emotional intelligence, and leadership development.
As a father, mentor, U.S. Marine officer, and award-winning author, I—Olaolu Ogunyemi—saw a critical need for positive resources that equip families and educators to nurture the next generation. So I created P2C as a trusted platform where children and adults alike could grow together.
Our Mission Has Grown.
Today, P2C has expanded beyond a resource for families—it’s a movement that teaches, mentors, and inspires early and emerging leaders to become resilient, purpose-driven influencers in their homes, communities, and beyond.
Whether you’re reading a storybook with your child, guiding a teen through life’s challenges, or preparing a young adult for the rigors of leadership, P2C is here to support you.
The P2C Book Series
Stories That Spark Growth
Teaching life lessons can be tough—but it doesn’t have to be boring. The P2C Book Series offers a fun, imaginative, and practical way to connect with your child while addressing important topics like:
- Self-worth
- Overcoming adversity
- Emotional awareness
- Financial literacy
- Positive decision-making
- Leadership development
These award-winning and best-selling books—like Crow From the Shadow, Horace the Horsefly, and Billy Dipper’s Time to Shine—make learning exciting and meaningful.
Whether at bedtime, during class, or in mentorship sessions, P2C books help you teach life-changing lessons while creating powerful, unforgettable experiences.
Why the Crow?
You may have heard me say, “We rebranded the crow.” It’s more than a catchy phrase—it’s a symbol of the transformation we all have the power to undergo.
The crow, often misunderstood and underestimated, became the unlikely hero of our flagship book, Crow From the Shadow. Just like many of the young people we serve, Crow learns to rise above doubt, fear, and “the Shadow” of negative influence to discover his true identity and power.
This story—and the crow itself—reminds us all:
You determine your own future!
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Work With Olaolu
- Speaking & Keynotes — Engaging, high-energy presentations on leadership, fatherhood, modern writing & AI, and overcoming adversity. Available for conferences, corporate events, schools, and community organizations.
- Books & Author Visits — Award-winning children’s picture books for ages 2–9, plus school read-alouds, book signings, and author visits that bring the stories to life.
- Workshops — Interactive sessions for educators, parents, and organizational teams on leadership development, youth resilience, and responsible AI in writing.
