Why belief can build a life | Osamagbe Izivbigie | TEDxBute Street

Osamagbe shares the surprising story of how a childhood “award” — one his mother later admitted she invented — shaped his entire sense of identity. Through humour, honesty, and reflection, he reveals how the labels we give young people can ignite belief, resilience, and ambition. His ABC framework — Acknowledge where you are, Believe, and Create your pathway — invites us to rethink how encouragement, leadership, and language can change a life. I am a Welsh-based cultural entrepreneur, founder of OTID Entertainment and Afrowales, working at the intersection of culture, enterprise and public institutions. My work centres on building platforms that elevate underrepresented voices while strengthening the creative economy in Wales. I have produced large-scale festivals, youth music initiatives, cross-sector collaborations and policy roundtables that bring together artists, government, and industry leaders. Having migrated to the United Kingdom and built organisations from the ground up, my journey sits at the crossroads of identity, resilience, and innovation. I understand what it means to arrive, rebuild, and contribute. My work is not simply about events. It is about systems, narrative change, and demonstrating how culture can shape policy, community cohesion, and economic growth. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx