Egypt (Ify) Ufele was born on May 3, 2005 in Long Island to Dr. Reba Perry and Emeka Ufele. As Dr Perry would put it, there was always something special about her youngest daughter. Ify also has an older sister, Sade Perry, who is also a fashion designer, who was part of her inspiration in working on her own fashion line. But there is more to the story than just a little girl who wanted to follow in her older sister’s footsteps. Ify wanted to make a difference, and she has embarked on a mission to do just that.
At a very young age, Ify was diagnosed with a critical asthmatic health condition. She was in out and out of the hospital on a regular basis, and was put on major medicines and steroids that affected her physical appearance, mainly her weight. It wouldn’t be long before Ify was in better health and returned to school, only to become bullied and made fun of by other kids in class. Being pushed around and called chubby, Ify knew that something had to be done. She wanted to make a difference, not just for herself, but so other kids could feel safe and not have to be tormented or bullied over something that they simply had no control over.
So, in January 2015, with the help of her mother, Ify decided to start a charity called Bully Chasers. It’s an organization that supports youth who have been bullied and provides them a platform to speak against it.In her spare time, Ify was having fun making her Barbie dolls clothing with her grandmother, Nellie Rembert. After learning how to sew for her dolls, Ify began to make clothing for herself because she really couldn’t find fashionable pieces in her size. Everything seemed boxy and unflattering for curvy kids. In July 2015, Ify was able to showcase her new fashion line. It was at UBM’s (Unique Blend Models) Fashion event where the host and her publicist, Yvonne MsDivaDazz Forbes, announced that Ify’s line was formulated around an anti-bullying campaign. Ironically, she named it ChubiiLine.
In January 2016, NY1 TV Anchor Cheryl Wills interviewed Ify at her home, and she was able to talk about her clothing line, her dreams, being bullied, and how it has changed her life. Shortly after the interview with NY1, Ify showcased her latest designs for ChubiiLine at SBFW (Small Boutique Fashion Week) during NYFW, which included pieces for plus sized women, grown men, and children of course. Her mission and message about anti-bullying has been swept around the world in just a few days. With over 6 Million views on Popsugar.com, Fusion.com. Ify has become a world renowned activist for anti-bullying. Press interviews include NBC’s Today show, ABC, Pix11, CNN, Dailymail.co.uk, Black Enterprise, Vibe.com, Huffington Post, People Magazine, Teen Vogue and many more. Awards received includes The Black Girl Magic Award, Junior Business Woman of The Year Award, the I Can Be Me Award, Positive Princess of the Year Award, Women Access To Empowerment Award, the Junior Trailblazer Award, Power Of Dream Award, NAACP and much more. Actor/comedian DL Hughley, and the fabulous Brandy have even chimed in to show their support for Ify’s cause. Ify was also named one of the top three influential people in the world by Laila Ali. She has even landed a manufacturing deal for her line now in Dr. Jays and coming to City Trend in the summer 2016.
It isn’t often that we come across a story like this. Egypt (Ify) Ufele has taken something so negative and hurtful, and turned it into a positive experience. She has created a platform to show her talent while putting out a positive message to help kids just like her that are bullied every day. In today’s society, bullying isn’t just at school like it used to be 20 years ago. With social media being so prominent in our world today, it can ruin and destroy our youth, and deter them from following their dreams, or lead them down paths that include drugs, alcohol abuse, or even suicide. One quiet voice has created a landslide of change with the joy of a child and the power of warrior. So kudos to Egypt (Ify) Ufele, America’s Child Prodigy for Anti-Bullying.