Charlyn Okigbo is leading Black-owned sellers to prosperity on Amazon

Charlyn Okigbo leads sales and development at one of Amazon’s most important initiatives this year: the Amazon Black Business Accelerator, a program to help Black entrepreneurs thrive on the e-commerce site. “My role here is really attracting and engaging with prospective sellers,” Okigbo says, noting that this means "evangelizing Amazon as a platform where Black-owned sellers can be successful.”

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Okigbo, 34, started at Amazon five years ago as a retail buyer for luxury and beauty brands. She then helped launch Amazon Pharmacy and was head of marketing for Amazon payment services.

Okigbo says she is inspired by women leaders in tech and media including Netflix Chief Marketing Officer Bozoma Saint John and Angela Ahrendts, former senior VP of Apple. “They’re not just successful at one company,” Okigbo says. “They tried different things among different companies and have seen success.”

Okigbo says one of her career goals is to help shepherd a brand to new heights. “I think that that’s the next meaty challenge that I am looking for,” she says. “How do I take a brand that’s up and coming and really just blow it out of the water and make it a household name.”

If you could have dinner with one person, alive or dead, who would it be and why? 

Larry David. Need I say more? It would be the most dynamic, hilarious dinner event.

What are the top two social media sites you use on a regular basis? 

Instagram without a doubt. I’ve also come to enjoy Reddit. I don’t know how to use Facebook anymore. I feel like the interface has changed so much, and not for the better.

What’s currently on your bedside reading list? 

Marianne Williamson, “A Year of Miracles.” I’m still waiting on bated breath for her rerun.

What was the last show you binge-watched? 

“Clickbait.” I’m truly embarrassed to say how long I stayed up to watch the final episode.

At what age do you hope to retire? 

36. A girl can dream … amirite?

See all of Ad Age's 40 Under 40 honorees.