For ambitious leaders, the journey from local impact to global influence often feels like a riddle. Yet, what if the secret to expanding your reach lies not in leaving your origins behind, but in deepening your connection to them?
This is the powerful truth I’ve discovered through “When African Women Talk,” which began as a simple idea and has blossomed into a vibrant demonstration of legacy.
Being Rooted
For me, being rooted in community is all about Ubuntu: “I am because we are.” This means our individual success is tied to everyone else’s well-being. Being rooted means connecting with the stories and shared experiences around me, recognizing their strength as my own. This grounds me, pushing me to uplift others and foster inclusive empowerment. It’s about honouring my heritage and consistently acting in ways that strengthen the whole, whether I’m in Africa or Canada.
Growing up in Zambia, I saw the challenges and incredible resilience of underserved communities. This ignited my passion for sustainable development and women’s empowerment, not just across Africa, but worldwide. Those local experiences kept my perspective real, inspiring solutions that work in communities and can scale globally.
My global work, spanning Africa, Australia, and Canada, broadened my view, allowing me to introduce fresh ideas while respecting cultural nuances. This exchange between local insights and global strategies continually drives me to create change that’s both community-centered and globally expansive.
Scaling Without Disconnecting
Growing an initiative while keeping it authentic is challenging. My biggest lesson has been staying true to core principles: empathy, genuine community engagement, and respect for local cultures.
Building trust takes time, especially across different countries, but authentic relationships are the bedrock for lasting impact. It’s about finding that sweet spot between expansion and ensuring everyone feels connected to the mission.
Technology is also a game-changer here. It bridges gaps, amplifies voices, and makes cross-border collaboration possible. For Black women and entrepreneurs, tech offers vital platforms for mentorship, resource sharing, and powerful storytelling. It breaks down barriers of distance and access, allowing us to showcase local successes globally, foster peer-to-peer learning, and build networks that offer support and inspiration.
When used thoughtfully, technology strengthens community efforts, ensuring local voices are valued while forging global connections.
A Strong Pipeline for Black Builders
A healthy local-to-global pipeline for Black builders needs accessibility, mentorship, and visibility. It should offer spaces for skill development, access to funding, and platforms to elevate their stories and innovations. Crucially, this pipeline must encourage constant exchange, helping local ideas grow while connecting them to the wider world for mentorship, resources, and market opportunities.
It’s about creating smooth paths for Black entrepreneurs to move from community support to global markets, ensuring their unique perspectives and solutions are valued on a larger scale. This interconnected ecosystem empowers individuals and strengthens the collective voice of Black communities worldwide, sparking a cycle of inspiration and mutual growth.
