Meet Drea Okeke, the visionary creator, entrepreneur, and storyteller behind the wildly popular brand “Drea Knows Best.” With her infectious humour, vibrant personality, and passion for celebrating African culture, Drea has built a global platform that inspires authenticity and connection. Recognised as a 2x Forbes Top Content Creator and honoured on the 30 Under 30 list, Drea’s innovative approach to storytelling has captivated audiences worldwide.
In this exclusive cover interview with Glazia, Drea opens up about her transformative path, challenges in the content creation industry, and commitment to uplifting marginalized communities. From launching her innovative card game, Sabi Slangs, to funding scholarships for first-generation African American students, Drea’s mission is rooted in representation and empowerment. Join us as we delve into Drea’s inspiring story and discover how she continues to rewrite narratives while encouraging the next generation of creators to embrace their unique voices unapologetically.
Glazia EIC, Omawumi Ogbe in conversation with Drea Okeke aka Drea Knows Best
Glazia: You know best and we want to know too, who is Drea Okeke?
D.O: I’m Drea Okeke, a first-generation Nigerian-American creator, entrepreneur, and storyteller. Known as Drea Knows Best, I’ve built a global platform that blends humour, culture, and authenticity to connect with audiences worldwide. As a proud small business owner, I launched Sabi Slangs, a women-owned, Black-owned card game that celebrates cultural slang and brings people together through fun, laughter, and connection.
With over a decade of experience in the digital space, I’ve been recognised as a 2x Forbes Top Content Creator and honoured on the 30 Under 30 list. My mission is rooted in representation—sharing the beauty of African culture and inspiring others to embrace their own stories unapologetically.
Whether I’m creating viral content, building innovative projects, or collaborating with brands, my focus remains on bringing joy, celebrating diversity, and empowering the next generation of creators and entrepreneurs.
Glazia: New York Magazine’s “The Cut” has named you one of “The Best TikTokers to Follow” and most recently you were named a 2024 Forbes Top Creator and honoured in their 2024 30 Under 30 List. Can you share your story of how “Drea Knows Best” came to life and became a household name in the digital space?
D.O: When I quit my engineering job to pursue content creation full-time, it was terrifying. I felt so much pressure on my shoulders to succeed, especially because I was leaping into the unknown. Then Vine shut down, and I lost 700,000 followers overnight. It was devastating, and I had to face the reality of starting from scratch. But instead of letting it stop me, I leaned into my engineering mindset. I treated content creation like a problem to solve, analysing what worked, studying the algorithm, and building a plan to stand out.
For example, in everything I did with content I would go above and beyond. With skits, I live in LA so I would invest money into renting out Hollywood studio sets. If I was pursuing this “content creation thing,” I was going to do it wholeheartedly, which means betting on myself and investing in myself.
More than anything, I wanted my content to represent who I am. I brought my love for Nigerian culture and humour into everything I created. That mission became the foundation of Drea Knows Best. I wasn’t just making videos to go viral; I was building a platform to rewrite narratives and connect people across cultures.
Fast forward to today, being named a Forbes 2x Top Content Creator and honoured on the 30 Under 30 list is surreal. But more than the titles, it’s about the lives my content has touched, the people who feel seen, represented, and inspired to embrace their own stories. My journey hasn’t been easy, wheewww, but every challenge has shaped me into the creator I am today.
Glazia: As a first-generation Nigerian American, you create comedic yet educational content that highlights your heritage and culture. How do you balance humour with education in your content, and what message do you hope to convey to your audience, particularly to the next generation of Black content creators?
D.O: For a lot of people, my content might be the only lens they have to see Africa, and I take that to heart. I want them to see Africa the way I see it: regal, innovative, and vibrant. I use comedy as a tool to teach without feeling preachy. It’s the secret sauce! Whether it’s through funny skits, teaching Nigerian slang, or sharing cultural moments, my goal is to connect and educate while keeping it fun and engaging.
This mission is so personal to me because growing up, I was bullied and dealt with a lot of negative stereotypes about Africa. Being able to rewrite that narrative through my content, and launching a card game Sabi Slangs that celebrates culture, means everything to me! Sabi Slangs is a challenge-based game that was inspired by my viral Nigerian slang series and Mama D character, blending humour and education to celebrate culture in a way that brings people together.
I’m not just here to make people laugh;, I’m here to challenge perspectives. My hope is to inspire the next generation of Black creators to use their voice and their platforms to tell their stories unapologetically.
Glazia: Your work supporting marginalised groups and giving back to the African American community is truly inspiring. Can you share more about your motivations behind funding college scholarships for first-generation African American students and helping to build the El-Gibbor International Academy in Nigeria? What impact do you hope these initiatives will have on the communities they serve?
D.O: I live by the principle “To whom much is given, much is expected.” It’s a reminder that everything I’ve been blessed with isn’t just for me; it’s to make a difference. My favorite rapper Big Sean said it best in his song This is Bigger Than Me. Our purpose IS BIGGER THAN US. I truly believe our purpose in life is beyond just benefiting ourselves; it’s about using what God has given us to bless others.
These initiatives are about giving hope and opening doors. I want others to see what’s possible when you trust in God, work hard, and believe in your………..
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