our story
who we are
Brace up and Rise Foundation was founded in 2024 by Ijeoma Ugochukwu, popularly known as IJ Motivates, a passionate advocate for single parents and personal development. As a single mother of three living in Canada, IJ understands firsthand the struggles that come with raising children alone—balancing financial responsibilities, emotional challenges, and the pursuit of a better future.
Having faced and overcome these obstacles herself, she felt a deep calling to create a support system for other single parents, ensuring that they don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Her experiences ignited a mission to empower single parents with the tools, resources, and encouragement they need to thrive, not just survive.
Meet Our Founder – Ijeoma Ugochukwu (IJ Motivates)
"My struggles shaped my purpose."
IJ Motivates is more than just a motivational speaker—she is a living testimony of resilience, strength, and the power of community. As a single mother of three, she faced countless obstacles, from financial hardships to emotional battles. However, she refused to let her circumstances define her. Instead, she turned her experiences into fuel for change, dedicating her life to uplifting others who walk the same path
Through her work as a motivational speaker, coach, and philanthropist, IJ has inspired thousands with her story, proving that single parents can overcome challenges and build successful, meaningful lives. She founded Brace up and Rise Foundation to extend this impact, ensuring that no single parent feels alone or unsupported.
“I created this foundation so that single parents never have to feel the way I once did—alone, overwhelmed, and without help. Together, we can rise.”
IJ_Motivates
Empowering Single Parents, Transforming Lives
Our Mission
At Brace up and Rise Foundation, our mission is simple but powerful:
To empower single parents by providing access to financial aid, emotional support, skill development, and a strong community, ensuring they can build a stable and fulfilling life for themselves and their children.
We believe that single parents are not alone, and with the right support, they can rise above challenges and create a brighter future.
Our Vision
A world where single parents are empowered, supported, and given equal opportunities to succeed.
A community where no single parent feels isolated, hopeless, or without help.
A movement that transforms struggles into strength and pain into purpose.