TikTokAs we continue to celebrate Black History Month, we chatted with UCD med student, @itsaghogho! Aghogho is a Medical Student, TikTok Creator, Writer, Public Speaker, and Young Leader. She has been termed a "Face of the Future" by the Irish Times, and a "Trailblazer" in black Irish history by RTÉ. She holds the title of the Gold Medal Winner for Research Excellence 2023 at University College Dublin’s School of Medicine (1st place out of 133 medical students), as well as All Ireland Scholar 2017 (a scholarship awarded to only 125 students nationally for remarkably high academic performance). She passionately advocates health equity and access to education for children from underserved communities, and believes in the power and necessity of representation in order to improve access to education. Read our interview below to hear her feelings on Black History Month, and the importance of black representation in the TikTok community.
Q: What first inspired you to create on TikTok and why?
A: Honestly, I have always been a very creative person, but my weaknesses were procrastination and perfectionism (arguably the same thing). I love expressing myself, but the platform you use for expression can sometimes be just as important as what it is you’re expressing. TikTok gave me a platform for easy, creative storytelling. The genuine feel and authenticity of the app removed the barrier of having to appear perfect and put together, like we tend to do on other social apps. TikTok gave me permission to think of an idea, film it, edit it and post it - all in under 30 minutes. No other platform created a safe space for me to do that. So that’s what inspired me. TikTok was the first platform where I felt like I could genuinely be myself!
Q: What is your goal on TikTok?
A: I want to inspire people to become their most powerful self, which I believe is their most educated self. Education is one of the most empowering tools in the world to move people forward in life. And that’s not necessarily limited to a college degree. I want people to see my content about studying, lifestyle and working hard in med school, and to feel inspired to pursue their own dreams and visions. Whether it’s medicine, engineering, art, music, beauty, tech etc. I want people everywhere to know that whatever they can imagine for themselves is indeed possible. If my story helps just one person not give up and achieve their own success, I’m content.
Q: What does Black History Month mean to you?
A: Black History Month (BHM) to me is the well-deserved acknowledgement and celebration of trailblazers and legends in history. I purposefully say history because the figures we celebrate during this month aren’t just a part of black history, but the world’s! It is the shining forth of persons that would aforetime be disregarded for their contributions, simply because of their skin. The importance of black history month, beyond telling the brilliant stories of these people, is in the impact it has on the next generation. Young black kids need to see that people who look like them have gone before them and achieved great, inspiring things. I am a huge believer in the power of representation and I think that all it takes is for you to see someone like you in your desired position to believe that the goals you aspire towards are possible. That’s why I love black history month. Because as the 23-year-old black woman that I am today, I am still inspired every BHM about what is possible when I choose to be bold, audacious, and limitless.
Q: What other Black creators are on your For You feed?
A: There are a lot! Some of my favourites are @victoralfred11, @vanillanwojo, @peacesmuse, @ogecheese, @liciugh, @christina.aaliyah, @monetmcmichael, @evaapio, @sharonade, @hannahlyee, @eatingwithjuru, @adundesserts. Shoutout to ALL the hard-working, gifted black creators though. Believe me, you are seen!
Q: What is your favourite TikTok you have made to date and why?
A: My live reaction of opening my medical school exam results for the first time! It was such an emotional and raw moment for me, because I had dealt heavily with impostor syndrome prior to this moment due to my unusual journey to Medicine. I love this video because it will always serve as a reminder to me, and hopefully to other people, that we are always more capable than we think we are! The genuine surprise and joy on my face in this video makes me so happy because it’s like yes girl… we did that!
Q: Which of your TikTok’s do you think helps people get to know you the most?
A: I don’t think I’ve ever been more myself in a TikTok than I was in this vlog. Day in the life videos will always always always be my favourite to both watch and create on TikTok. This TikTok is also sentimental to me because it’s a video diary of the first day of my medical school journey! It’s a video I will cherish for the rest of my life.
Q: How does it feel to represent the Black Irish community on TikTok?
A: Exciting! I hope I am doing a good job at portraying just how amazing our community is. Because we really are full of all sorts of cool and interesting people, in a diverse way too. It makes me proud to say I am black and Irish! There are many other creators representing us too though, you guys should definitely check them out.
