How do you stay grounded when you’re building what healthcare systems refused to? Titilope Olotu says, “remember who you’re doing it for”.

A Nigerian-American biology student at UCLA and founder of PADÍ, Titilope isn’t just providing menstrual and mental health resources, she’s creating lifelines for the 22,000+ youths that medical professionals failed. Women who deserved better. Communities who were overlooked. Immigrant students like herself who understand what it means to be marginalized by the systems meant to serve them.

From Bloomberg Philanthropies to Accenture to the Diana Award, her work has earned global recognition. But what keeps her going isn’t the accolades, it’s the excitement on Nigerian students’ faces, the messages from women worldwide saying PADÍ is the option they truly deserve, and the knowledge that she’s mobilizing her privilege to pass it forward.

Between level 17,000 of Candy Crush (her destress ritual since high school), cooking fusion meals that merge cultures and break traditional chains, and being the eldest of five navigating her parents’ financial struggles as first-gen immigrants, her story is one of faith, purpose, and refusing to forget where she comes from.

In this Lead Out Loud feature, she opens up about the weight of being needed, the joy of feeding her loved ones, why men experiencing labor pain would’ve solved women’s health decades ago, and what she’d do with a million dollars tomorrow (spoiler: retire her parents first).

Meet a young woman who understands that real change isn’t performative, it’s personal, grounded, and powered by the communities you refuse to leave behind.

1. You’re in the room and someone asks, “Who’s Titilope?” Give us your real, unfiltered self-intro

Titilope is a Nigerian-American biology student at UCLA and a social innovator transforming menstrual and mental health access for marginalized communities globally.
At 19, she is the founder of PADÍ, providing support for women whom medical professionals and systems have failed. Her nonprofit, Period Padi, has supported 22k+ youths with access to menstrual, mental, and financial resources. Titilope has garnered recognitions and partnerships, including the Diana Award, Chegg Global Scholar, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Accenture, an AFROTECH feature, and more.
As the eldest daughter of five, Titilope is a believer of God’s will, and always seeks initiatives to give back to underserved communities, especially immigrant students like herself.

2. What is a little-known quirk, hobby, or obsession that people would not guess about you?

Absolutely obsessed with Candy Crush. I started playing in high school, and I realized it was always a way for me to de-stress. I am currently at level 17,000, and many people do not know that about me, but I still play to this day.
You are building PADI while juggling school, work, and life. What is one thing that keeps you grounded when everything feels like a lot?
Remembering my background, especially as a low-income first-generation immigrant. I definitely understand that I am privileged to be receiving the opportunities that I have. In addition, knowing the work I am pursuing will support multiple communities and make an impact always keeps me grounded. From watching the excitement on Nigerian students’ faces to seeing women and clinics from different communities globally reach out to me asking for support and mentioning how PADI is an option that all women truly deserve. There are times when I feel overwhelmed, but when I remember the impact and the communities I am supporting, it gives me motivation to persevere. I am a firm believer in mobilizing your privilege and passing it forward. I know that God has granted me the opportunity and the privilege to make an impact, and with that, I will do the best that I can, to the grace of God.

3. Outside the lab and your work with communities, what is one place or activity that instantly sparks your energy or creativity?

Cooking is really something that allows me to be creative. I am someone who grew up hating cooking because of the traditionalist beliefs attached to it, such as cooking for one’s husband and all of that which is prevalent in many communities. At some point as I got older, I started to struggle with eating healthier and having a good relationship with food. Over time, I began experimenting with various meals, and I have developed multiple fusions that allow me to merge cultures together and explore different things. It is always so exciting when I feed my loved ones and they are in love with it. For example, my meat pie is a family favorite and finishes in less than a day. It gives me so much joy knowing that I am providing satisfaction and joy through cooking. It has given me a new light on what cooking truly is, beyond the traditionalist beliefs that continue to hold women down and critique them for not being a product of a tainted society.

4. If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing about women’s health globally, what would it be?

Oh my goodness, one thing is not enough. But if there is one aspect, it would definitely be
genuine awareness. I do not just mean posters, media, and graphics, but truly walking in the shoes of people who are struggling as a result of the lack of support for women’s health. I believe some people only become concerned about women’s health when it pertains to them or when they can relate on a personal level. Even the slightest understanding of the struggles women go through would make the biggest difference. Imagine if men could feel constant cramping, deal with PCOS, or experience labor pain. I believe many solutions would have emerged years ago. Women have only recently been allowed in these spaces to thrive and advocate for themselves, yet systemic injustice still makes progress difficult. Awareness is one of the most important factors, because if someone is aware and chooses not to change anything, that speaks to their character and reveals who is contributing to the detriment of women’s health.

5. Fun Round

• Favourite music right now? Je te lasserai des mots by Patrick Watson. Throw in some rain sounds and I have a 12-hour loop.
• Favourite colour? Black
• Favourite snack? Bueno chocolate
• Favourite food? A seafood boil. I know there is so much going on with it, but there is something about a seafood boil that is just immaculate.

6. First thing you are doing if you wake up with $1 million tomorrow?

Definitely retire my parents. As a first-generation immigrant, I know the struggles my parents face with financial difficulties. My first major priority would be providing financial security for my parents and my family overall, especially as the eldest of five children.