Bozoma Saint John Named ‘Queen’ in Ceremony in Ghana

Bozoma Saint John, a marketing executive who’s made a name for herself in some of Silicon Valley’s biggest companies, was honored in Ghana at the start of the new year.

The Ghanian-born Saint John was given the ceremonial title of “Odupomma,” which translates to “Queen: The tree with the sacred fruit that nurtures knowledge, wisdom and courage,” by the King of Akwamu, Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III of the Akan people.

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On January 2, 2019 by the decree and citation of the King of Akwamu, Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III of the Akan people, on the banks of the Volta River in the Eastern Region of Ghana, I WAS OFFICIALLY ENSTOOLED AS ODUPOMMA (Queen: The tree with the sacred fruit that nurtures knowledge, wisdom and courage). I am exceedingly proud of this great honor, and will do my best to uphold the respect of our people as I represent us in the diaspora. Congratulations to @officialmichaeljai on his enstoolment as the Odupong (King: The tree with strong roots that does not fear the storm) Here’s to our royal lineage and future! #CallMeByMyName #WeComeFromKingsAndQueens #RoyalBloodline #WarriorWoman #FullCircleFestival2018 #YearOfReturn2019 #WAVsHoliday

A post shared by Bozoma Saint John (@badassboz) on Jan 4, 2019 at 8:22pm PST

“I am exceedingly proud of this great honor, and will do my best to uphold the respect of our people as I represent us in the diaspora,” the marketing guru posted Jan. 5 on Instagram.

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True to “sankofa” in the Akan Adinkra symbols, which is translated in English as “Go back and get it”, and is depicted as a stylized bird with its head turned backward while its feet face forward… all those who joined the #FullCircleFestival2018 have gone back to get our history and claim our present/presence. For all those who wish to do the same, please go… there’s no need to wait for an organized trip, or the recommendation of any person. If your spirit calls you to the motherland, and you are able to find the means… SANKOFA!! The continent is yours. #YearOfReturn2019 #DaughterOfTheSoil #YourMotherIsCalling (thank you @studiooneeightynine for my shirt which is made through the self-made power you’re enabling for Ghanaian women; and @bohten for the beauty of reclaimed Ghanaian wood fashioned into amazing eyewear.. 🇬🇭)

A post shared by Bozoma Saint John (@badassboz) on Jan 6, 2019 at 3:45am PST

Ghana Tourism Authority’s CEO, Akwasi Agyeman, told Black Enterprise that, “The ceremonial title ‘Odupomma’ conferred on Bozoma is a recognition for her courage and knowledge and is significant for Ghana at this time when we have declared 2019 as a year of return and urging the global African family to make the spiritual and birthright journey back home.”

In 2016, Saint John became one of the first Black women to take the stage at Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference, where she headed Apple Music’s Global Consumer Marketing division and had the crowd rap along to The Sugar Hill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight.”

She left Apple to join Uber in 2017 and then left the ride-sharing company in 2018 to join Endeavor Talent Agency as its chief marketing officer.

Saint John will host and produce a docuseries called Bozoma: Being Bad*ss for Starz.