Bongi Wenyika

Dr. Wenyika received her journalism diploma from the Harare Polytechnic College in Mass Media Communication (Print Journalism) in Zimbabwe. She worked with such media organizations as Reuters News Agency and non-profit organizations. As a journalist, she developed an interest in women’s issues and reproductive justice, self-development, and HIV/ AIDS. She later transitioned from journalism to the corporate public relations field.

In the year 2000, she and her family moved to the United States of America where she furthered her education at Oklahoma Wesleyan University, majoring in Business Management and matriculated with a Master of Human Relations and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from The University of Oklahoma. Dr. Wenyika is passionate about social justice issues including diversity, inclusion, equity, criminal justice reform, education and advocates for individuals with disabilities and the aging.

She has served as a Court Appointed Advocate in Juvenile Court, Oklahoma County. In 2017, Governor Mary Fallin appointed her to serve a four-year term as a board member to the Oklahoma State Council on Aging. Currently, Dr. Wenyika currently resides in Ottawa, Kansas with her husband Reggies, their two children, Thembi and Kudzai and dog Brian. She serves on the boards of Ottawa Community Arts Council and COF Training Services (services to people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in Coffey County, Osage County and Franklin County, Kansas.