Blessing Offor is a GRAMMY®-nominated, chart-topping recording artist. Before signing a record deal, he received a four-chair turn on “The Voice.” Since launching a high-profile music career that’s swiftly skyrocketed, he’s collaborated with TobyMac, Benjamin William Hastings and Lauren Daigle. Additionally, he’s shared the stage with the likes of Chris Tomlin, Andrew Ripp and Zach Williams; and he’s performed in iconic venues such as the Grand Ole Opry House and Red Rocks Amphitheatre. But his story could have been vastly different.
Born in Nigeria, the “Your Love” singer was told his school couldn’t educate a visually impaired student who couldn’t see the blackboard. Knowing he would have a brighter future overseas, his parents did the unthinkable and sent young Offor to America under the guardianship of his uncle. In the States, he was able to receive a world-class education and high-quality medical care for his congenital blindness. The move to America, however, meant that he was separated from his family for decades.
Just weeks ahead of attending his first-ever GRAMMY® Awards this February, Offor — who now resides in Nashville — returned to Nigeria for the first time in more than 25 years. During his time spent in his homeland, the in-demand collaborator announced the inception of the Offor Mercy Fund, a nonprofit that seeks to help African children like his younger self, whose visual impairments are keeping them from receiving the educational opportunities they deserve. The newly established ministry is partnering with individuals and like-minded organizations to provide young blind children with the resources and supplies they need to learn and make their way in the world.
“Starting the Offor Mercy Fund is my way of helping fix the broken system that told me that I was unteachable,” the soulful vocalist shares. “Our simple goal is to provide resources from America to kids in Nigeria, who are living that harder story that I could have lived.”
Offor recently distributed a suitcase full of books written in braille to a classroom full of excited students while he visited his native country. He detailed his trip on Instagram so fans could follow along with his long-awaited family reunion and learn how they can be a part of changing the lives of children through his new nonprofit.
With his inspiring music effortlessly crossing genres, Offor just wrapped a series of concerts opening for country hitmaker Lee Brice. He’ll support Daigle on select dates of “The Kaleidoscope Tour” throughout the spring.
