Looking through the images in Ijeoma's book, you're immediately struck by how versatile he is. You see him pictured in one shot as Brooks Brothers buttoned-down prep (Kim Kennedy), in another as a gangsta-rap, Sean John-inspired 'player' (Jamil GS) and as everything in between. He can be extremely ethnic (Martin San Miguel), stunning in high-fashion editorial elegance (Dan Dease), very street (Noe Dewitt), and, most surprisingly but just as true to his morphable Sag nature, with the turn of a page you discover an almost puppyish innocence captured beautifully by Neil Harris.

That versatility is an important part of Ijeoma's early success, but it's also the key to his character. There's a bit of the white corporate suburbs in EJ, as he's known to friends and family. There's also a bit of the street, a bit of the Texas south as only a black child can experience it, and a bit of the more integrated Michigan north.

Quiet and restrained, he's full of a restless energy, driven, disciplined, on a mission — on the move. Ijeoma's definitely a confirmed jock with pro ambitions, but he also wants his MBA. Highly articulate, intelligent, poised, serious about his goals and ambitions, he's also full of fun and mischief. All of these things and more, Ijeoma is the kind of guy you'd want as your best friend.

He first addresses me in a quiet but rich, deep baritone voice and a charming southern drawl: "I'm one of the few dark-skinned people in my family. They all have light skin with gray eyes. Then I came along..." he says with a devilish grin the Monday afternoon we sat down to talk.