About Me
Background & Education
Hello there, I’m Segun Akinyemi—pronounced sheh-goon ah-keen-yeh-mee—a Yoruba name that is, in truth, much longer (if you ever run into me, ask me my full name). Welcome to my website, a place where I share my various passions and interests.
For some background about me, I grew up in Seattle, Washington, but after high school, I made my way to the Midwest to attend Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis. If you’re wondering how I ended up there, I’ll admit I didn’t exactly choose Lindenwood out of a sea of options. The athletic scholarship they offered me made college just barely affordable. During my time there, I competed as a track & field athlete in the high jump while studying Computer Information Systems, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in 2018. Looking back, I truly believe my time at Lindenwood was divinely ordained. It wasn’t perfect by any means, but it was perfect for me at that time in my life, and I’m grateful for the experience. Shortly thereafter, I continued my education at Washington University in St. Louis, earning a Master of Science in Information Systems Management in 2020.
Personal Journey
I often tell people that while I was raised in the greater Seattle area, I became a man in St. Louis. People who mean a lot to me reside there—people who didn’t just preach the Gospel, they lived it. They picked me up when I was down, offered essentials while I was a broke college student, opened their homes during holidays when I couldn’t afford to fly back to mine, and housed me over summers so I could work odd jobs to support my family. They helped me pay off a Sallie Mae (a truly evil and predatory organization) loan so I could stay in school—ensuring that by graduation, I owed them nothing. They stood in the crowds at my track meets, wrote references for internships and grad school, insisted on sending money to my family when I finally opened up about our needs, and sat with me in church pews, long after service had ended, in vigil, praying for God’s grace, deliverance, and aid when I needed it most. It was through these people that I experienced Jesus—not in a whirlwind from heaven—but in everyday acts of love and sacrifice.
Those experiences transformed my understanding of what it means to be a Christian. As is written, “If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?”. The generosity I’ve received is why I’m so passionate about service. I do for others what God did for me—through people who didn’t just talk about being Christians—they lived it. Or, to put it another way, they were bout that action. If the world were ending tomorrow, without hesitation, I’d be on my way home to St. Louis, Missouri. It was the Midwestern kindness of people in the “Show-Me” State that helped me find myself and become who I am today.
Professional Life & Values
Now as a working professional, I’m a software engineer, but like to style myself more broadly as a tech enthusiast. I’m fascinated by technology and its ability to transform the world around us. I consider myself fortunate to have been born in our present era of computing innovation, problem-solving, and discovery. At the rate we’re advancing, it seems like Moore’s Law might just need an update. If you’re wondering what I’m up to career-wise, feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn, or check out my Charlotte Business Journal 40 Under 40 profile.
Regarding my personal convictions, I strive to live in a way that emulates the character of Jesus Christ. His teachings guide my life, my definition of who I am, and my understanding of what’s truly important. I could speak at length on this topic, but this page is meant to be only a brief introduction, so I’ll refrain. Instead, I leave you with one of my favorite quotes below.
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
All that being said, thanks for visiting. Feel free to explore!