The founder of FAME Foundation, Arabinrin Aderonke, has credited a United States government-sponsored leadership exchange programme with transforming her career and inspiring a social impact initiative that has since attracted more than $400,000 in grants and technical support from international organisations.

Marking the 250th anniversary of the United States and the country’s Independence Day celebration on July 4, Aderonke reflected on how an unexpected invitation from the U.S. Embassy in 2019 became the turning point in her personal and professional journey.

According to her, the invitation came despite the fact that she had neither applied for the programme nor relied on any personal connections.

“America will always hold a special place in my heart because it gave me something priceless: belief,” she said.

“In early 2019, I received an unexpected email from the U.S. Embassy inviting me to represent Nigeria in a prestigious exchange leadership programme. I had not applied. I had no connections. They had simply been watching my work quietly and saw something in me worth investing in. That moment changed my life.”

Aderonke said the fully sponsored five-week exchange, funded by the U.S. Department of State through the Global Sports Mentorship Programme, exposed her to new ideas, leadership experiences and professional mentorship across the United States.

During the programme, she underwent training at the Dallas office of Saatchi & Saatchi, which she described as “the most beautiful office I’ve seen and worked in till date.”

She said the experience challenged her thinking, broadened her worldview and strengthened her commitment to using sports as a tool for social development.

“For five unforgettable weeks, I traveled across America, learning, growing, unlearning and seeing possibilities I had never imagined,” she said.

“I was mentored by incredible minds and had the privilege of training at Saatchi and Saatchi, Dallas, Texas. The experience expanded my thinking, strengthened my purpose, and changed my perspective forever.”

The social entrepreneur explained that the experience directly inspired the creation of the Play It Dream It Initiative, which has become the flagship project of her non-governmental organisation, FAME Foundation.

According to her, since its launch in 2020, the initiative has secured more than $400,000 in grants and technical support from several international development partners, including the German Government through GIZ, Laureus Sport for Good, UN Women, the Spotlight Initiative—a joint European Union and United Nations project—the MacArthur Foundation, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the French Government, and most recently, Manchester United in partnership with Midea.

She described the initiative as evidence of how a single opportunity can create a ripple effect that transforms communities.

“What started as one opportunity has grown into a movement impacting lives and creating meaningful change,” she said.

Reflecting on the journey, Aderonke said the experience reinforced her belief that opportunities can change lives regardless of where they originate.

“Looking back, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. You do not have to live in America to experience the American Dream. I am living proof of that.”

She added that the United States not only invested in her potential but also helped shape a vision that continues to create opportunities for others.

“America opened doors for me, invested in my vision, and helped shape a journey that continues to impact lives.”

Aderonke also disclosed that she received a letter personally addressed to her and signed by then-U.S. President Donald Trump, describing it as one of the memorable moments from her engagement with the country.

She concluded her message by congratulating the United States on its Independence Day and 250th anniversary, saying, “This July 4th, my heart is full of gratitude for a country that became part of my story in such a profound way. Happy Independence Day, America. Happy July 4th. Happy 250th anniversary birthday, America.”