Picture a Nigerian-American storyteller whose vibrant lens and pen have painted the world with culture, identity, and resilience—meet Lola Akinmade Åkerström! Based in Stockholm, this award-winning author, photographer, and speaker weaves tales that bridge continents, from the bestselling Lagom: Swedish Secret of Living Well to her gripping fiction debut In Every Mirror She’s Black. Her work doesn’t just entertain; it challenges norms and amplifies voices often unheard.
With a knack for visual storytelling and a heart for cultural connection, Åkerström has dispatched from over 70 countries, earning accolades like the 2022 Hasselblad Heroine and the 2018 MIPAD 100 Award. Ready to dive into her world? Let’s explore her journey!
The Making of Lola Akinmade Åkerström
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Lola Akinmade Åkerström’s early life was shaped by a vibrant, resilient spirit forged at a tough boarding school. At 15, she relocated to the United States, diving into a new world of opportunity. She earned a bachelor’s and master’s in Information Systems from the University of Maryland, initially carving a career as a GIS programmer. But her heart leaned toward storytelling. A pivotal moment came in 2002, volunteering at the Eco-Challenge race in Fiji, where she wrote field dispatches, sparking her shift to travel writing and photography.
By 2006, Åkerström moved to Sweden with her husband, embracing a new cultural landscape. Her technical background blended with her creative passions, leading her to resign from GIS in 2009 to pursue her calling full-time. This bold leap laid the foundation for a multifaceted career that would inspire readers and travelers worldwide.
Lola Akinmade Åkerström’s Unforgettable Stories
Åkerström’s bibliography is a tapestry of culture and introspection. Her nonfiction gem, Lagom: Swedish Secret of Living Well, published in 18 languages, explores Sweden’s philosophy of balance with warmth and wit, earning international acclaim. Similarly, Due North, a 2018 Lowell Thomas Award winner, captures her travel reflections across continents, blending vivid imagery with heartfelt narratives.
Her fiction debut, In Every Mirror She’s Black, is a powerful exploration of race, class, and identity through the lives of three Black women in Sweden. Inspired by her own experiences, the novel tackles prejudice and privilege with nuance, earning praise from authors like Taylor Jenkins Reid. Its follow-up, Everything Is Not Enough, nominated for an NAACP Award in 2024, continues this saga, delving deeper into themes of patriarchy and belonging. Her upcoming novel, Bitter Honey (May 2025), promises to unravel secrets across decades, showcasing her knack for character-driven stories.
Åkerström’s style is immersive and empathetic, blending journalistic precision with emotional depth. Whether through photography for National Geographic or prose that resonates globally, she crafts stories that make readers feel seen, heard, and connected across cultures.
Why Lola Akinmade Åkerström Matters
Lola Akinmade Åkerström’s impact transcends pages and pixels. Her work amplifies marginalized voices, particularly Black women’s experiences in predominantly white societies, challenging readers to confront biases and embrace empathy. As editor-in-chief of Slow Travel Stockholm, she encourages mindful exploration, fostering cultural understanding. Her Geotraveler Media agency and academy empower aspiring storytellers, ensuring her legacy inspires the next generation.
Recognized as one of Condé Nast Traveler’s 2024 Women Who Travel Power List, Åkerström’s influence in travel and literature is undeniable. She fights isolation through storytelling, making the world feel a little smaller, a little kinder, and a lot more connected.
- Born: Lagos, Nigeria
- Key Works: Lagom, Due North, In Every Mirror She’s Black, Everything Is Not Enough
- Awards: 2022 Hasselblad Heroine, 2018 MIPAD 100, 2018 Lowell Thomas Award
Snag In Every Mirror She’s Black and dive into Lola Akinmade Åkerström’s bold, beautiful world of stories that spark connection and change!