Runway to Microphone: Rhode Island’s Yemi Sekoni Now in Top 10 of National Competition – VOTE! 

Publisher’s Note:  YOU can help Yemi on her mission to win the National Hosting Competition. Link is at the bottom of the article. We wish Yemi, colleague, entrepreneur, and extraordinary talented businesswoman and cheerleader for people and for Rhode Island – the very best of luck!  She is certainly at the very top of our Top 10!

Rhode Island fashion producer, talent agency owner, and incoming scholarship organization executive director sets her sights on a new stage—and a possible podcast with iHeartRadio. 

For more than a decade, Yemi Sekoni has been helping others step into the spotlight. Now, the Rhode Island entrepreneur, talent agent, and fashion show producer is taking a turn in front of the microphone. 

Sekoni, owner and director of Donahue Models & Talent and founder and executive producer of Rhode Island Fashion Week, has advanced to the Top 10 in her group in the 2026 Top Host competition, a nationwide contest offering the eventual winner the opportunity to host a six-episode podcast produced by iHeartRadio, appear as a guest on On Air with Ryan Seacrest, and receive a $25,000 prize. 

For Sekoni, the opportunity represents an exciting, if somewhat unexpected, extension of a career built around connecting people, developing talent, and creating memorable experiences. 

“I’ve spent so many years helping other people find their confidence, develop their skills, and tell their stories,” says Sekoni. “The idea of bringing those experiences into a podcast, where I could have meaningful, entertaining conversations with people from all walks of life, is incredibly appealing.” 

A Career Built on Creating Opportunities 

Originally from England, with Nigerian and Jamaican roots, Sekoni brings an international perspective to her work. Since establishing herself in Rhode Island, she has become a familiar presence in the state’s fashion and creative communities. 

Through Donahue Models & Talent, she represents aspiring and experienced models and actors, helping individuals develop the professional skills and confidence needed to pursue opportunities in the entertainment industry. 

As the founder of Rhode Island Fashion Week, she has also created a platform for emerging and established designers, models, artists, and other creative professionals to showcase their work. 

Her experience extends beyond fashion. An entrepreneur with an MBA and a longtime SCORE volunteer mentor, Sekoni regularly works with small business owners, helping them navigate the challenges of starting and growing their businesses. 

Her commitment to mentorship and personal development also extends to the Miss Rhode Island Scholarship Organization, where she assumes the role of Executive Director in November 2026. In this leadership position, she will help guide an organization dedicated to empowering young women through scholarship opportunities, leadership development, and community service. 

It’s that combination of creativity, business experience, community leadership, and a genuine interest in people that she believes could translate naturally into hosting. 

“I’ve always loved a good conversation,” Sekoni explains. “I’m naturally curious about people, their experiences, and what makes them tick. I believe everyone has a story worth telling. Sometimes the most interesting moments happen when you put aside the script and simply connect.” 

A New Platform for Storytelling 

If selected as Top Host, Sekoni envisions a podcast blending culture, humor, personal experiences, and thought-provoking conversations. 

Her multicultural background, combined with years of working across the fashion, entertainment, business, and nonprofit communities, would provide a distinctive perspective. 

The competition also supports the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, which creates interactive broadcast media studios inside children’s hospitals, giving young patients opportunities to explore radio, television, and other creative outlets. 

For Sekoni, whose professional life has centered on developing talent and encouraging self-expression, the connection is particularly meaningful. 

Rhode Island Support Could Make the Difference 

Although Sekoni has already progressed through several elimination rounds, the competition is far from over. 

The current round will narrow each group from ten contestants to five, with voting closing Thursday, November 5, 2026, at 10 p.m. Eastern Time. 

Supporters may cast one free vote daily through her official competition profile. 

Sekoni admits she is pleasantly surprised by how far she has advanced. 

“I entered thinking it would be a fun opportunity to explore something different. I certainly didn’t expect to make it this far! But here I am, and I’m grateful to everyone who has taken the time to vote and encourage me.” 

Whether the competition leads to a microphone or another unexpected opportunity, Sekoni sees the experience as a reminder that professional growth doesn’t have an expiration date. 

“Sometimes you have to be willing to step outside your comfort zone and see where the journey takes you. After years of encouraging others to take that leap, I suppose it’s my turn!” 

To support Yemi Sekoni in the Top Host competition, visit: 

https://tophost.org/2026/yemi-sekoni 

Voting for the Top 5 closes Thursday, November 5, at 10 p.m. Eastern. 

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About Yemi Sekoni: Yemi Sekoni is a Rhode Island-based entrepreneur, owner and director of Donahue Models & Talent, founder and executive producer of Rhode Island Fashion Week, and incoming Executive Director of the Miss Rhode Island Scholarship Organization. She is also a business mentor and advocate for creative entrepreneurship, leadership, and talent development. [email protected] | 617-480-4018