As an award-winning cosmetic dentist, Dr. Amira Ogunleye has made a career out of making people smile again. But in a recent viral video, it's clear that she's also been teaching her daughter Adura how to use her own talents. In fact, little Adura currently has thousands of people on Instagram moved to tears over her latest attempt to make a stranger smile.
The viral clip was shared to Instagram on January 5
In it, Dr. Ogunleye's daughter stands before a patient identified only as "Miss Natalie," who is presumably about to receive dental surgery. Then, with the voice of an angel, she begins to sing the opening verses to Andra Day's hit song "Rise Up."
The song seems to strike a chord with Miss Natalie right away
And really, how could it not?
Adura has a gentle yet powerful voice for a 7-year-old, which quickly brings tears to Miss Natalie's eyes. But it's also the lyrics she's singing that trigger a wellspring of emotion:
You're broken down and tired
Of living life on a merry go round
And you can't find the fighter
But I see it in you so we gonna walk it out
And move mountains
We gonna walk it out
And move mountains
Miss Natalie's story is never fully explained in the Instagram clip
But based on the caption on Dr. Ogunleye's Instagram post, it's safe to say that she's been through it.
"We try to teach our children about using the blessings God gives us to make other people happy," the dentist wrote. "I explained to my daughter how Ms. Natalie had some struggles with her health and how we were gifting her a new smile. Adura wanted to gift her a song."
"Let it be a reminder that you are never alone and together WE’LL RISE UP," she added.
People soon flooded the comments section
"This put me in tears!" one user wrote.
"This is by far the most beautiful thing I have seen on this app," another said.
"Beautiful song, beautiful voice, and a beautiful soul," someone else added.
It appears that even Miss Natalie herself commented on the post.
"And I’m still crying," @unanimously_natalie wrote. "Best day of my life."
Though Adura's voice is beautiful, that doesn't seem to be the reason why Dr. Ogunleye shared the clip. Instead, it was to send a message about how one small act of kindness can have unforeseen ripple effects.
"Always be reminded, the most important yardstick of your success will be the positive impact you make on the lives of others," the dentist wrote in her caption.
Make no mistake, it's a pretty powerful message
But perhaps that's to be expected, considering who it comes from.
According to an interview with Dr. Ogunleye who was featured on Medium last year, the Egyptian-born dentist has a history of defying the odds.
After emigrating to the U.S. as a young girl, Dr. Ogunleye says her earliest years were spent in poverty and hardship.
"I watched my father work two to three jobs at a time, and he was still barely able to provide for his children — a common thread to many immigrant stories," she said at the time.
That said, her father was determined to do better for his kids
"My father recognized the value of education for his children, instilled a strong work ethic in me, and always taught me to strive for excellence," she shared. "I have never forgotten my roots. Access to care in underserved communities is still an ongoing issue. It’s my mission, as a dentist and immigrant, to help bridge that gap in our dental community."
At 23, Dr. Ogunleye became the youngest person to ever graduate from Howard University’s College of Dentistry with a doctorate. Since then, her incredible talent has made her a favorite among celebrities like LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, as well as everyday patients who come to her looking to regain confidence in their smile.
Along the way, Dr. Ogunleye (or "Dr. A," as she's often called) hasn't forgotten the importance of giving back. She recently launched a mentorship program called impAct with Doctor A to help guide the next generation of dentists.
"As a minority woman, business owner, wife, and mother, I understand the various roles and responsibilities women take on," she told Medium. "I know how helpful it is to be encouraged and empowered by others — especially like-minded women. Therefore, I’ve made it a priority, and honestly feel gratified, to lift as I climb."
"There is power in connection, knowledge-sharing, and providing opportunities," she added. "I actively engage and pour into relationships in this way."
