Alumni Q&A with Ajoyi Stackhouse

DJ Stack - NEIU Weekend 2020

Ajoyi Stackhouse (B.A. '15) has played at various bars and venues around the world. She has played locally at Navy Pier, The Promontory, Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel, Simone鈥檚 Bar, Festival Cubano, and at the DMC World DJ Championships, Riu Hotel in Ocho Rios Jamaica, Sandals Regency La Toc in St. Lucia, and Club B.S. in Yokosuka Japan. DJ Stack takes listeners on a musical journey transcending genres and time. She graduated from 秘密研究所n in 2015 with a bachelor's degree in Communication, Media and Theatre. 

When asked to DJ at this year鈥檚 NEIU Weekend program, she did not hesitate to respond. She is as passionate about NEIU as she is about music. Learn more about what inspired her to become a disc jockey and more. 

to see her perform live during NEIU Weekend 2020 at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18.


Alumni Q&A with Ajoyi Stackhouse 

In what ways do you feel NEIU has unlocked your potential and helped to shape your life experience and/or career?

NEIU has provided me with an extensive understanding of communication media, which has allowed me to perform at a wide range of events across the country and around the world.

When did you start as a disc jockey? What motivated you to start?

I started as a disc jockey in 2009. A friend suggested I start DJing since I was always the go-to person for music.

Before now, had you performed at NEIU? If so, when?

Yes, I started performing at NEIU on the "Roger that with Mo Information鈥 podcast in 2012. Over the years, I鈥檝e also been privileged enough to DJ several Black Caucus and Pedroso Center events. 

What experience do you think your audience has after watching you perform?

I hope that this performance will be an uplifting journey through music.

Describe a moment in your life where you were challenged and how did you overcome this adversity? How did this adversity impact your life? 

Transitioning from the military to a full-time student proved to be a big challenge. I overcame it by keeping a positive mindset. This experience impacted my life greatly and contributed to building my self-confidence.

Of these words - proud, resilient, supportive, multicultural, creative - which resonates with you and why?

The word 鈥渞esilient鈥 resonates with me because if this year has taught me anything it's that we are not in control. It鈥檚 essential for us to be flexible and strong beings.

If you could go back in time to when you were a student at NEIU, what advice would you give yourself? 

If I could go back in time and give myself advise as a student, I would say 鈥淓xplore the topics and subjects that interest you, and don鈥檛 be afraid to really dive in.鈥

What do you think is most special about NEIU?

What's special about NEIU is its diversity, and the relationships between the faculty and students.