Upper Arlington Public Library

Author Visit: Obayuwana Sisters

Columbus City School students and published authors Zahara (age 8), Zakiya (age 11), and Zalika (age 12) Obayuwana talk about their book series, Zakira Presents.

Join us for a visit with Columbus City School students and published authors Zahara (age 8), Zakiya (age 11), and Zalika (age 12) Obayuwana. The sisters will share the Zakira Presents book series and talk about their experience as young authors in the central Ohio community. 

Zakira Presents stars young Zakira, who shares cultural experiences with readers through story and fun activities. Each book encourages empathy, inclusion, and cultural appreciation. 

The presentation will be followed by a Q&A and book signing. 

More About Our Authors

Seventh grader Zalika is the inaugural Spelling Bee Champion of World Language Middle School. With a goal of becoming the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Zalika has a passion for justice and is a natural born leader. She loves math, sports, music, art, and spending time with friends and family. Zalika plays the double bass and piano and loves to come up with quotes. One that she lives by is, “If you’re fighting for what’s right, you are right.”

Fifth grader Zakiya cares for animals and Mother Earth deeply. She enjoys sewing and drawing and was part of the Stage Crew and Set Design of Ecole Kenwood French Immersion Elementary School’s 2022 Spring Musical Production of The Aristocats Kids. She is also a violinist with the Urban Strings Columbus Youth Orchestra. Fluent in French, Zakiya likes learning other languages, and she is currently learning Kiswahili.

Third grader Zahara is a natural storyteller. Zahara’s inventive spirit moved her to write her first story, “The Cat and the Rat” at age 5. Zahara enjoys cooking and hasn’t met a sprinkle that she doesn’t like. She loves singing, dancing and animals, especially her fur-brother, Ziggy. Zahara is currently working on a collection of stories to be released January 2023. 

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