Abraham Ailemen never sought shortcuts. Instead, he focused on building momentum and connections. His journey began in Ibadan, Nigeria, where he spent his early years in a close-knit community where everyone looked out for one another.
“In our neighborhood, if my mom cooked, she shared with the neighbors,” Ailemen recalls. This sense of community and informal games like soccer shaped his early life, making him understand the importance of movement and belonging over competition and structure.
At just 10, Ailemen transitioned to a boarding school, marking a significant shift in his life. He faced new challenges and discovered the need for adaptation and independence. “You learn to float or sink,” he said of that experience.
Sports became his anchor, helping him navigate new social landscapes. When his family moved to Chicago, he encountered a stark cultural shift. With limited organized sports options, he found himself learning basketball—a game he wasn’t familiar with. “In Nigeria, we played soccer,” he explained, yet he persevered, practicing daily and eventually finding success in a three-on-three tournament.
Family support fueled his academic journey. His siblings paved the way, showcasing the value of education. Ailemen earned a spot at Lane Tech High School, a highly competitive institution, where he had to adjust to new social and language dynamics. He learned to code-switch, ensuring his voice was heard while staying true to himself. “If people can’t understand you, nothing else matters,” he remarked.
Ailemen’s path led him to Cornell as a Posse Foundation Scholar. Initially unaware of Cornell’s offerings, he quickly recognized the opportunities available to him. While academics took precedence, he soon found his place within the track team, despite not originally prioritizing sports.
Once at Cornell, he became aware of how the system worked—or didn’t work. He observed a gap among teams where athletes shared similar pressures but lacked connection. “People didn’t know how much they had in common,” he noted. This realization spurred him to help create Men of Color in Athletics (MOCA), a space that focused on tangible goals rather than just visibility.
MOCA grew from informal chats to a structured organization, emphasizing service, professional development, and community. It wasn’t about making noise but fostering real impact. For example, during finals week, members left encouraging notes on windshields in campus parking lots, highlighting the often-invisible contributions of university staff.
“We wanted to give back,” Ailemen explained. They also organized workshops for athletes with busy schedules, connecting alumni across various industries. They believed sports should be accessible, not a luxury, echoing Ailemen’s own experiences growing up.
Ailemen’s track career has seen him face injuries and challenges. Yet, through pain and setbacks, he’s continually improved. “You can’t hide in this sport. The mark is the mark,” he stated, emphasizing the need for honesty in both athletics and leadership.
As a senior, his ambitions remain high—he’s focused on winning titles and pursuing medical school with plans to address inequities in healthcare. He sees connections in all aspects of his life, from his upbringing to his ambitions.
“At Cornell, everyone pushes limits,” Ailemen said. “It challenges you to think about what you’re doing with your opportunities.” His answer has always been to build something meaningful and lasting for others.
Ailemen’s journey at Cornell demonstrates how intentionality can create lasting impact. He emphasizes the importance of preparing others to step into leadership roles, ensuring that the work continues beyond any one individual. “If it relies on me, then I didn’t do my job,” he said.
As he looks ahead, Ailemen’s vision remains clear: to create a space that simplifies the path for others. His belief in the long game—making contributions that benefit future generations—serves as a powerful reminder of the responsibility we all have to uplift others.
