Wedding Party

Chioma Okafor

Maid of Honor

So I met Debra as soon as I left the womb, decided to bless her with my presence, but I haven’t been able to escape her since. Now I’m her maid of honor... No, but to be serious My name is Chioma,I am Debra’s younger sister and unofficial best friend :) I am so excited for Debra and Chijoke’s union and the addition of another brother to our family.

Chike Eseonu

Best Man

Chike is the younger brother of Chijioke Eseonu. The two met shortly after Chike migrated from their mother's womb, and they have been brothers ever since. Chike will be the best man at Chijioke's wedding, and looks forward to celebrating this monumental moment with his brother.

Lorraine Boakye

Bridesmaid

Debra and I met the first week of medical school. We were walking to the bus for one of our orientation events and we struck up a conversation. It was beyond the usual small talk — it felt like I was talking to someone I’d known for a long time. This feeling of familiarity and ease is among my favorite things about my friendship with Debra. She’s incredibly thoughtful, gracious and adventurous. We’ve grown up together and learned about ourselves and the world. If it weren’t for accidental naps our several hour phone calls, ice cream feasts and movie marathons would be endless! LaDebra, thank you for being the best partner in crime. I’m so honored to get to stand by your side on such a special day in your life!

Greggy Laroche

Groomsman

Hey Everybody, I’m Greggy. Chijioke aka CJ and I met the summer before medical school was officially supposed to start. We decided to attack gross anatomy before the whole class did. We realized we both enjoyed watching and playing basketball although I was far beyond CJ’s level. My favorite memory of CJ is his infamous spin move on the basketball court at the CAB. Great times! I’m happy we have remained really good friends. Even happier to be part of his wedding party!

Nana Yaa Misa

Bridesmaid

Debra and I met freshman year of college back in ‘08 just before we both hopped on the premed train! I had no clue what I was doing but Debra was always there 1 step ahead seamlessly leading our pack while effortlessly looking fly. 12 years and countless study late nights, turnups, breakups, lituations, situations, sweat/tears and celebrations later Debz remains my best friend and sister. She’s one of the kindest, most optimistic, insightful and supportive people I know! She has in fact become a unit of measurement for which I mentally evaluate all wonderful people - “But are they Debra great?” Nothing makes me happier than to see her marry the love of her life!

Oderah Nwankwo

Groomsman

My name is Oderah Nwankwo and I am the 3 months slightly older first cousin of Debra. I was born and raised in Pine Bluff, AR where I attended the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff where I received my BS in Chemistry. I currently work in the disease state of diabetes for Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals as Pharmaceutical Sales Rep, as where I also hold the role Medical Professional Chair for the Houston West District team. Beyond all that, I really just like chilling, traveling, investing into business ventures, buying dope suits to stunt in, (yeaaaaaah I be dressing my ahhh off), finding ways to make an extra dollar to endorse this lifestyle and most importantly is making sure my entire family is good. #NwankwoClan. With that, I wish my cousin her fiancé nothing but the best!

Ngozi Ibe

Bridesmaid

I’m a recent graduate of University of Missouri-Columbia, and en route to medical school. As the baby sister of five, I’ve had the blessing of having the Okafor sisters as role models at home. Lucky to have so many great memories with Debra, but my favorite moments will always be greeting Debra every time she came back to visit from college!

Obum Nwankwo

Groomsman

By default I know Debra, because we’re cousins. She’s ranked in the top 15 of favorite cousins of all time which is very hard to do. My list is so exclusive I’ve ranked some cousins twice using their government name and their nicknames used when American’s can’t pronounce them. Debra is my very smart and headstrong older cousin. A talented former athlete (track) and funny without even trying. A delight to be around. So nice. She elongates a lot of her words like Barack Obama and she suck’s at UNO. Never play UNO with her, I repeat, never play UNO with her. You may disown her before the wedding and we don’t want that. We were able to reconcile our differences and not be estranged, and I can honestly say, I couldn’t be happier. I love you Debra!

Amari Howard

Bridesmaid

I can't recall when I met Debra but I have only amazing and great memories with my girl. She's confident, gorgeous, funny, my natural hair guru, and my peds GI sister for life! One of my favorite funniest/memories of Debra: I finally got my drivers license when I was 24 or 25 and I took Debra, Lorraine and Amarachi for a drive in Pittsburgh. Debbie was in the front seat. As we are driving down an incline (not that scary) Debra lets out a scream as if she was going down a sharp incline on a roller coaster. We all look at Debra like she grew a second or third head then bust out laughing. Always a good time with my girl!

Uchenna Nwokorie

Groomsman

Ive had the “pleasure” of knowing Chijoke all my life. Family visits to and from Richmond, sleepovers, and heated basketball games are a vivid memory of us. We’ve grown from adolescents to adults and I would like to state that he has gotten all of his good qualities from me! Im blessed to be able to witness this next step in his journey. Congrats!

Zaneta Forson-Dare

Bridesmaid

Debra was the first friend I made during our pediatrics residency and she hasn’t been able to get rid of me since – haha! She is the most optimistic, warm, happy and genuine person and being her friend is so easy and enjoyable. I knew it was meant to be after spending many evenings together half watching TV shows as one or the other or both of us fell asleep. I moved half way across the world to do residency and together we made it through all the ups and downs that that entails with some tears, side eye but mostly uncontrollable laughter. I am so blessed to have found a sister friend and nap partner for life!

Chinedum Ukejianya

Groomsman

I had the pleasure of watching Chijoke and his siblings grow up before me. He is one of the cousins in our family that we all try to emulate. We both have the same nickname “Chichi”. And I remember growing up and spending graduations and ceremonies hearing my name all day because the adults would be calling for Chijoke. And if they were calling for me I’d just pretend they were still calling for Chijoke. Congratulations man.

Amarachi Eseonu

Bridesmaid

Amarachi initially met Debra during their first week of medical school together. She is also the younger sister of Chijioke Eseonu. She will never forget the time Chijioke told her about his first impression of Debra, and well....the rest is beautiful history.

Chibuzo Emenari

Groomsman

Chijioke is my cousin; his dad and my mother are siblings. We were born and raised in the DC metropolitan area and would frequently visit each other. Our families would link up during weddings, birthday parties and other functions. I have known him to be a good and respectable guy. He helped me out in the big way during one of my medical school sub-internships. I'm just very happy that he's taking this new step in his life and I'm excited to be a part of it.

Adaeze Asonye

Bridesmaid

My name is Adaeze Asonye, Debra’s younger cousin! My memories with Debra go back to when my siblings and I would often visit her house to attend parties and family get-togethers. Since I missed out on having sisters of my own, Debra was always an older female figure I felt comfortable talking to. I wish her and her husband the best!

Kelechi Eseonu

Groomsman