Olaniyan Thurmon, affectionately known as Lani, is a 19-year-old individual born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. His name, Olaniyan, translates to "surrounded by honor," a fitting moniker for a young man who has already accomplished so much in his life. Born to Babatunji and Lonniecia Thurmon, Lani is one of five children, including his siblings Dakari, Jalynn, Abeje, and Olatunji.
Lani's life has not been without its challenges, as he was born with Albinism, a condition characterized by a reduction or absence of the pigment melanin, resulting in white skin, light hair, and vision problems. This condition affects approximately 1 in 17,000 people globally, making Lani one of the 1% of people born with this condition. Two and a half years after his birth, his younger brother Olatunji was also born with Albinism, making them one of the few sets of siblings born with this condition.
Despite the challenges posed by his condition, Lani has never allowed it to hold him back. A natural athlete, he was involved with playing AAU basketball for years and even helped lead his team to a championship in 2013. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball, video games, and has recently taken up cooking breakfast for his family.
Lani's friends and family describe him as mature for his age and mild-mannered, traits that have served him well in his pursuit of his passions. He has always had a keen ear for music and has recently started working on his first rap EP, titled "Overnight," which is set to be released in the near future.
In addition to his music endeavors, Lani has also had a successful acting career, with his first role being Ivan in the second season of the TV series Hap and Leonard. He has also appeared in the Marvel movies Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, playing the role of Teen Groot Reader. Early this year, he was cast in the film One Way, set to be released later this year, and in the Marvel series Ms. Marvel, due out in late 2021.
Lani's ultimate goal is to use his platform as an advocate for people with Albinism, educating others and helping to dispel the myths and misconceptions surrounding this condition. He hopes to travel the world, visiting schools, hospitals, and orphanages to share his story and promote acceptance and tolerance.
Inspired by a documentary he watched about the unfair treatment of people with Albinism around the world, Lani, along with his brother, created an organization called GloBoyzz, whose mission is to spread awareness and promote acceptance of people with Albinism. He is determined to make a difference in the world and is committed to using his platform to inspire positive change.
