“…Blessings on blessings on blessings, look at my life man, that’s lessons on lessons on lessons,…. man, this wasn’t luck, it was destined.”
~Big Sean- Blessings, 2015
I just bumped into an old playlist that I used to listen to way back in 2015 at my bedsitter (read studio apartment) when I had nothing but a bed, a subwoofer and sheer will.
The subwoofer would later get stolen(Chuckles). Do you know that welcome to Nairobi thing? One day you go to work and come back home to a house with an echo? Oh yes, I was welcomed in style; the thieves even had the time and audacity to eat my weekly stock of bananas! Premium tears. Anyway, I digress.
This playlist reminds me that time is a beautiful thing. A lot has changed since my first year of employment. The learning and mentorship at Impact Africa Network is a case in point of the rigor in career development today.
In one of our recent study sessions at work, I was explaining to the innovation fellows in my group how privileged they are to be exposed to such an opportunity so early in their careers. I mean look at me, getting similar privilege, except in my 6th year(not that I was counting!) But happy that it’s finally happening to me too.
That’s how you change the African narrative, by one generation being better than the next. This time six-fold.
Oh, and yes, we have study groups where we engage in weekly learning sessions to enlighten ourselves, change our mindsets and widen our scope of thinking.
In the innovation space, there’s a lot we need to learn, unlearn and relearn. We do this through reading articles, listening to podcasts and reading books, all the while sharing thoughts and ideas. You know that famous saying that goes, ‘If you want to hide something from an African, put it in a book’ ? Well, we are conquering that mindset.
I have always had a big space for innovation in my heart and mind. I always want to be where the next big thing is at; something about not being at the center of it all doesn’t sit well with me. This is simply why it was easy to get on with IAN’s mission right away; to ensure young talented Africans have a chance at participating in the digital transformation of Africa as creators and owners.
A mission that naturally consumes you, it almost feels like being in a match/protest for freedom in the days of Martin Luther King, we’re driven to take Africa to the World!
Martin Luther King, Jr.
It’s been so exhilarating to watch the amount of work the innovation leaders at IAN have been able to accomplish with little to no experience. At the beginning of the year, we had an All-hands meeting where each one was expected to share their goals for the year and oh my! The brilliance, attention to detail, the confidence! Africa isn’t ready! (Nigeria, you hear?)
Power to our women
For the last five months, I have been the co-host of the coolest live stream ever! The Power To Our Women live cast series, holding conversations with global female business leaders and change-makers designed to inspire a new generation of female leaders in Africa. Since its kick-off in October 2020, we have recorded 13 impactful episodes with guest speakers from Facebook, Accenture and GitHub among others.
“The fundamental thesis is that women are in general better equipped to nurture and thrive in complex people centric systems; and startups are the quintessential people centric systems of our day, giving women an advantage in their development”
- Mark Karake, founder & CEO, Impact Africa Network
Backing this thesis that we truly stand by, 7 out of 10 of the leadership positions at IAN are occupied by women, one of them being yours truly. What an amazing thing to be in a workspace that bets on women.
It can only get better from here, watch this space folks!
“F**** a vacay I feel better at work. Blessed.
I’m waaay up, I feel blessed!”
Also, Big Sean, 2015.
Meet the brilliant women of IAN (5 mins)
In honour of Women’s History Month, we shall be having a special cast on March 18th, 11:00am EST to tell the stories of the female leaders of IAN alongside guest speakers like Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist and Kike Oniwinde founder of BYP Network.
