Arshia Khan
Uché Onyeyiri with his wife Monaia and their three children Alexes, Paris and Angelo at the special events venue that they own, Angelo's Garden.

Uché Onyeyiri relocated all the way from Lagos, the largest city in Nigeria, to create a life for himself in the heart of Arkansas. He traveled to the United States to attend the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.

“Funny story: The reason why I ended up in Arkansas was because…I was searching alphabetically by state,” Onyeyiri says.

He had been searching for a suitable college and did not go past the University of Central Arkansas once he found it. “I fell in love with UCA and Conway as a whole,” Onyeyiri says.

It’s here Onyeyiri also fell in love with his wife Monaia, a Jacksonville, Arkansas native and fellow UCA alum. The couple planted roots in Conway and spent the past 18 years establishing a family—they have three children: Alexes (13), Paris (10) and Angelo (4)—and establishing a presence within the Metro business community. Onyeyiri is the owner of a photography company, Skye Touch_e_Photos, and a wedding and special event center, Angelo’s Garden, in the adjacent town of Mayflower. Monaia works alongside him as co-owner of and the wedding planner for Angelo’s Garden. He says their weekends are “weddings, weddings, weddings,” but fortunately, working is his favorite thing to do.

Onyeyiri says he loves that Conway is a smaller town with little to no distractions, but he also loves the proximity to Little Rock for the shopping options and airport. He describes the area as vibrant, historical and growing.

“I love the school system and love the family-oriented atmosphere in the city,” Onyeyiri says. “We typically go to parks and have lunch picnics as a family”

He says Conway is a great place to live since it is affordable and not as congested as other suburbs of large cities. “I love the suburban life in Conway.”

Neighborhood Recommendations

Originally from: Lagos, Nigeria
Years in the metro: 18
Neighborhood: Conway

Family dinner spot: TGI Friday’s in Conway
Go-to gym: 10 Fitness in Conway
Doctors we trust: Arkansas Pediatrics of Conway (pediatrician), Bannister-Lieblong Clinic (general practitioner)
Happy hour hot spot: Old Chicago in Conway
Favorite annual events: Conway Christmas Tree Lighting and Toad Suck Daze
Guilty-pleasure store: Cold Stone Creamery in Conway