about
About Obie Ford III
Holding space for life's meaningful transitions.
Across ceremonies, coaching, and creative expression, Dr. Obie Ford III supports individuals, couples, and communities during moments that shape who they are and who they are becoming. Whether celebrating love, navigating a life or professional shift, or exploring identity through art, Obie brings presence, intention, and warmth to every interaction.
Serving all of Ohio and all locations beyond, his practice centers dignity, joy, reflection, and connection - honoring the stories that make each life unique. You belong here.
The Philosophy Behind the Practice
Life is full of transitions. Some are joyful — weddings, commitments, and new beginnings. Some invite reflection — career changes, personal growth, or the loss of a loved one. And still others call for exploration, expression, and sharing of the artistic gifts that help us make sense of these moments.
These moments deserve care, intention, and space to be fully experienced.
Through ceremonies, coaching, and art, Obie helps people mark these transitions, make meaning of them, and move forward with intention and care. His practice is grounded in love, affirmation, enjoyment, and the belief that every life story matters.
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The Heart of The Obie Agency
At the heart of The Obie Agency are three connected service pillars that reflect the many ways people experience transformation: Conducting Ceremonies. Coaching Lives. Creating Art.
Conducting Ceremonies
- Obie is a licensed and ordained minister. He is widely requested to officiate ceremonies that honor life, love, and legacy. He officiates personalized weddings, commitment ceremonies, memorials, and life celebrations with a genuine and people-first approach.
- He is trusted for his warmth, storytelling, and ability to create ceremonies that feel intimate, meaningful, and unforgettable.
Coaching Lives
- Obie is a certified career and life coach. He supports individuals navigating personal and professional transitions. Known for his steady, insightful, and affirming presence, Obie supports clients through personal and professional transitions with intention and care.
- His coaching practice provides a reflective, strengths-based space to gain perspective, explore possibilities, and move forward with purpose.
Creating Art
- Obie is a multidisciplinary artist. His creative projects span photography, commentary, movement, storytelling, and live performance.
- He explores themes such as transition, identity, empowerment, joy, and love.
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Dr. Obie's Background
Obie brings a rich blend of leadership, artistry, and human-centered practice. His purpose is guided by an enduring intention: to serve, love, inspire, create, and elevate individuals, couples, and communities.
- He is an ordained and licensed minister through Universal Life Church and a licensed minister in the State of Ohio, authorized to solemnize marriages in several states across the country.
- Obie is a certified global career development facilitator (GCDF), a certified diversity and inclusion practitioner, and a qualified administrator and coach of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI).
- A trained actor and model, Obie's creative journey began in his formative years and continues today through intentional collaborations with creative partners and brands.
- As an educator and executive leader, Obie has served private, public, two-year and four-year institutions. Hs is a published writer, noted speaker, and experienced emcee.
- He holds an undergraduate degree in psychology with a minor in sociology; a graduate degree in educational policy and leadership with focus areas in cultural & somatic studies and African & African American history; and a PhD in higher education administration.
A Few Fun Facts About Dr. Obie
He has officiated hundreds of ceremonies, honoring people from all backgrounds, identities, traditions, and ways of being.
He enjoys people, nature, all things water, tennis, live events, and hoola-hoop dancing ("hooping") — once winning a contest and being crowned "The Hooping King."
He's a devoted plant dad with a growing collection of personalities that bring color, calm, and character into his home.
His name, Obie, means 'heart full of love.' The Obie Agency is built on this foundation.