Black History Month | This is me, Shola
Last updated onFebruary is Black History Month – a dedicated time to reflect on the accomplishments of the Black community, celebrate culture and traditions and honour the resilience that helped overcome challenges.
This month, we are highlighting Shola Oduga, one of the co-leads for our Employee Inclusion Network, Ujima, which supports the Black community.
Meet Shola
My name is Shola (short for my full name, ‘Olushola’), which translates to “God has blessed me” or “the Lord creates wealth” in my native language of Yoruba. I’ve been with TC Energy since 2013 as a supply quality advisor based in Calgary.
I was born in London, England, and then moved to my parent’s home country of Nigeria when I was five years old. Both of my parents are in the medical field – my dad was a doctor and the Chief Medical Officer in Lagos State while my mom was a trained nurse. I have five sisters and one brother – and growing up in such a big family taught me the value of community and connection. After finishing grade school in Nigeria, I moved back to England to pursue a degree in biochemistry and later a master’s degree in pharmaceutical science. Somewhere in between studying and working in England, I met and married my husband, Sola (yes, we share the same name but spelled differently!) and had two wonderful sons.
I find joy and purpose in giving back and I’m involved in a few different causes. I volunteer at the Calgary Drop-In Centre, Habitat for Humanity, teach Sunday School to young kids at church and volunteer with the Oilfield Christian Fellowship. Every opportunity to volunteer feels like more than just an act of service – it’s a chance to connect with people, bridge gaps, foster greater understanding and make someone smile. And when I’m not volunteering, I enjoy travelling with the family, taking Zumba classes and most recently, trying my hand at kickboxing!
Shola enjoys volunteering at the Habitat for Humanity in her free time.
Embracing my roots
Growing up, I was surrounded by a large extended family of cousins, aunts and uncles who all helped shape my sense of community and belonging. My parents and aunts often shared stories about Nigeria's rich history and our family heritage, which I didn't fully appreciate when I was young, but now deeply value. Living in Nigeria taught me resilience, respect for elders and pride in my heritage. I’ll be honest though – it wasn’t always easy. For many years, I was focused on fitting in and blending into the majority so I wouldn’t stand out. But I’ve since come to realize that it’s our differences that make us unique, and I am not afraid to speak up and be myself.
In 2012, my family and I moved from England to Calgary to experience a new culture and provide better opportunities for our boys. But even as we settled into this new life, I knew how important it was to keep my boys connected to their Nigerian roots.
Shola with her husband and two sons.
Building bridges
At home, we speak Yoruba as much as possible. My boys enjoy traditional dishes, such as jollof rice (a tomato-based rice dish), pounded yam and egusi soup (a traditional Nigerian dish made with melon seeds, peppers and dried fish). I also emphasize the values I grew up with – respect for elders, resilience and the importance of finding your voice and speaking up. It hasn’t always been easy. There have been moments when others didn’t understand our culture. People have said we are “too loud” or dismissed our ideas, but I’ve learned to challenge those misconceptions. I firmly believe in being visible, vocal and unafraid to share who we are.
This mindset is what led me to co-lead Ujima, a group supporting the Black community at TC Energy. Here, I am able to combine my love for volunteering with my passion for diversity and inclusion efforts, and build bridges of understanding and connection in my community.
As a proud black woman, Black History Month is particularly meaningful to me. It's a time to celebrate the achievements and resilience of Black people, honour our history and reflect on the struggles we’ve faced. It’s also about teaching the next generation – my sons included – to value their heritage, stand tall in who they are and continue the legacy of resilience and pride.