The Heart of Under the Milky Way: Ajagbe Ayodeji Reflects on Poetry, Collaboration, and Community

Every now and then, you meet someone who doesn’t just dream about a project. They roll up their sleeves, and make it happen. Today’s guest is one of those people. Ayodeji Ajagbe is the visionary behind Under the Milky Way, a poetry anthology that has brought together voices from around the world in one breathtaking collection.But this isn’t just a book — it’s the result of years of planning, countless conversations, late-night edits, and a deep belief in the power of words to connect us, no matter where we are. Ayodeji not only birthed the idea but also personally funded the project, proving that when passion meets determination, beautiful things are born.He’s also a poet himself, and his own contributions to the anthology carry the same heart and soul that went into building the project from the ground up. Today, we’re going to talk about the journey, the challenges, the magic moments, and the stories behind the poems. Ayodeji, welcome to the show.You can find him on instagram with the link below