On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, Catholic Central welcomed corporate attorney and nonprofit founder Harry Ajagu to speak with students about faith, community, commitment, and the power of impact. His message emphasized that success is not just about personal achievement but about service to others.

Ajagu’s talk centered around four key themes:

• Faith – Trust that God's plan is greater than your own.
• Community – We are both the product of our environment and the architects of our own futures.
• Commitment – Discipline creates opportunities.
• Impact – Success means nothing without giving back.

Ajagu shared his personal journey with students, highlighting how faith has shaped his path. He spoke about how young people often have their futures mapped out - choosing a college, setting career goals - but life doesn’t always go as planned. He used the example of a high school senior who eagerly applies to his dream school only to be waitlisted, a situation that can feel like a setback. But, as Ajagu stressed, “God’s plan is always bigger than your vision.”

His own life story reflects this principle. Despite challenges and unexpected detours, his trust in God’s guidance led him to success. Now an in-house corporate attorney handling high-stakes commercial and real estate matters, he remains just as devoted to his nonprofit work, ensuring students have the resources and opportunities they need to grow.

“The one thing that remains constant is my faith in God,” Ajagu said. “Life is unpredictable. I had a plan for how I thought things would go, but life isn’t like that. I wasn’t always where I wanted to be, but I was exactly where God wanted me to be.”

Ajagu challenged students to pursue excellence in everything they do, reminding them that their environment may shape them but does not define them. He urged them to take ownership of their future and to recognize the influence they have on others.

“Your actions and influence can change lives,” he said. “Take your success and make it work for others. Be as committed to your community as you are to your own goals.”

His commitment to service is evident not just in his words but in his work. Alongside his legal career, Ajagu has founded nonprofits dedicated to empowering young people and providing them with mentorship and career development opportunities. His dedication to giving back is deeply tied to his faith. He sees service as a calling and a way to honor God’s blessings.

Ajagu was deeply impressed by Catholic Central’s facilities and the opportunities available to its students. “Walking through the campus alone was mind-blowing. I have never seen a school do it so well,” he said. “I was inspired by this school and by making sure the kids here have so many career opportunities to pursue. I know it’s going to have such a major impact on their lives.”

Director of Diversity, Student Engagement, and Community Outreach, Chris Okoye ‘14, who introduced Ajagu, emphasized the importance of his message. “We talk about faith, culture, commitment, and community, and Harry is an example of faith in action - putting service first, putting community first. He’s in a big-time career, yet he still lives morally and with God at the center. There’s no better example of God’s plan in motion.”

Ajagu left students with one final thought: Trust in God’s process. Even when life doesn’t go as planned, His plan is always greater than anything we can imagine.