In primary school, her grades were very low and the pressure to do a bit better came from all angles. She drove all her frustrations in to beading and garment sketching.

At 19, all I wanted was to join fashion school but the options were few in Africa. I settled for a BA with the option of marketing at the International Leadership University.

She started making jewellery in campus under an entrepreneurship unit. Her first line of jewellery cost her under a dollar then sold out. With the help of her professor, she saw a need in the market for African themed jewellery. Krystal-Bella then put her profits back in to her business.

She saved money with the vision of expanding her business in to East and Central Africa. Krystal-Bella was continually invited to fashion shows in different African countries.

In 2014, I was invited to Origin Africa which celebrates spirit, style and innovation of modern Africa that was held in Kenya. It was an honor receiving my certificate from the then first lady of Kenya, Margaret Kenyatta.

My social enterprise, Krystal Brand involves teaching youth and women to earn a living through making jewellery and clothes in partnership with Cooperatives. We work on their business models and have so far positively impacted tens of lives both in rural and semi-urban areas.

We have a partnership with some organizations in France and in Burundi where we export the products. We have an online site too.

Krystal-Bella is a motivational speaker which she does in various universities and schools. She has reached hundreds of youth through her talks.

Krystal is a Mandela Washington 2016 fellow and YALI RLC 2017 alumna. She confesses exposure both regionally and internationally has changed her life and made her better as a young African leader.

This young leader is working on continuing her studies by pursuing a Masters in International Business/ Supply Chain Management. This year, her enterprise is working on expanding the business in more areas of France, Burundi and in to other countries.

I always encourage young Africans to never give up. Pursue your passion and especially those pursuing the arts. Africa is just beginning to embrace the arts. Be part of the change. It is important to know who you are and what your vision is. If you have the desire, you can create anything you want.

Her vision in the next 10 years is to be one of the top ten African designers. To inspire thousands of African youth and women through her organization and to promote African designs and cultures.

I like to call myself the African Naturalista from hair to food. (Laughs).

We wish you the very best Krystal-Bella. Keep representing dynamic African cultures and impacting lives while at it. After all,

Style is a simple way of saying complicated things.” -Jean Cocteau.

The post This Is Africa| My Dress, My Choice. Krystal- Bella Shabani appeared first on Afrikan Excellence.

I was born and bred in Burundi. I had what everyone would call a normal childhood albeit I must confess I was easily distracted at school. I am not sure if it was the lack of interest in education as a child or the peer pressure. 

I continually thank God for a strong support system that my family was and continues to be, they never gave up on me and this saw my grades improve.

I joined one of the best high schools in Bujumbura. I became a leader in many aspects one of them being the coordinator of Karmesse fundraising events which aim at helping different orphanages in my city. Many people began calling me, Miss Mic Girl because of how I got comfortable with the microphone and hosted events.

After clearing high school in 2011, I joined Hope Africa University to pursue Social work and Community Development. Isn’t it interesting how life is like a puzzle? Every encounter since childhood is a step, a lesson towards shaping you. I already knew that I was created to give hope and encourage people by interacting with the less fortunate and this played a huge role in choosing my degree.

After finishing university, I interned in a firm for three months in 2015 until all hell broke loose. There was crisis in Burundi. It was ugly. People died, were displaced from their homes and even though the crisis happened a bit far away from where I live, the instability was unbearable and full of uncertainty, my family sort refuge in Rwanda.

We stayed in Rwanda for a month and went back to Burundi even though my parents wanted to assess the situation for a bit longer. My siblings and I really wanted to go back home. The rest of the year was uncertain but we had to strive on.

After three months, I got hired as a radio host at Buja FM to run a weekly show, Ligala Connect and later a daily breakfast show, Mpagaciro. My show has changed my life. It aims at empowering the youth, women and families.I am still awed at the power of media, it can make or break. My show reaches millions of people hence changing countless lives. I get to work with people who are struggling in life and help them in whatever way I can.

My heart was stolen long ago by youth and women. It is always heart breaking to host unemployed youth or women in their twenties who have had immense problems since childhood. People who have lost hope, people who come to the show as a last resort. It makes me cry sometimes and at the same time makes me stronger because there is so much I can do, that we can all do.

It is also very rewarding to see these hopeless people turn their lives around and become ambitious and successful. At 26, I have made a vow to change and help shape my community so help me God. I urge my fellow Young African Leaders to rise, to do something, to own Africa and tell our own stories. I believe that when you empower a woman, you shape a community. That healthy families make healthy nations.

We have all been created the same way, God has given us greatness and talents not for own selfish needs but to help others. I still can’t believe that I was selected to be a part of President Obama’s initiative, this goes to show that tenacity and a love for others will open big doors to enhance your skills as a leader.

My vision is to use every tool I have to encourage our youth and women in Burundi and in Africa. To let them know they have inbuilt greatness, they do not need politicians to succeed and can do it by themselves.

We are super proud of Arlene for what she is doing for Burundi. We also hope to catch up again soon in Burundi over her favourite meal, Isombe (cassava leaves), mixed with sweet potatoes, rice, meat and sauce.

The post Dropping The Mic, Spitting words And Busting Moves For My Africa. Arlene Muco appeared first on Afrikan Excellence.

We have heard your call Burundian men plus we received the chocolates and flowers. Allow me to introduce you to Clement Maxime Muhire, a young African leader who loves his country to bits and whose dream is to build and leave a legacy.

I am a young Burundian architect, urban and regional physical planner. I am an alumnus of President Obama’s Young African Leadership Initiative 2016. I am a husband to one and father to four.

My journey has been very hard. You know the way you look back in time and confirm it was the hand of God? I had a very peaceful childhood up until when I was about 11 years old in 1993. There were non-stop civil wars in Burundi which led to social trouble. People were killing each other, people who had lived peacefully as neighbors for many years.

I was forced to start living a paramilitary life. I became a watch dog. They nick named me Mwana wa kera which means little elder. This was because when things went wrong in our camp, like sudden attacks, I was always called in to advice the elders which often led to successful battles or strategies.

There were other people who preferred calling me Gasigarupfu which loosely translates to never die because I survived near death attacks in form of gunshots or mass killings.

Basic needs were luxurious at the time. Food, shelter, clothing and education were a struggle. I still can’t believe that I am this educated and alive! I am sure you have watched documentaries on genocides and civil wars in other countries- it’s not pretty.It is a nightmare. I can confirm that it is very easy for people and especially children to be turned in to soldiers for survival.

My leadership skills which I continuously look to develop through seizing relevant opportunities have made me a better leader. I am now better known as a social architect. Everything I do, I do excellently for my people, my country and my continent.

Young African leaders need to cultivate good leadership by being true in the way they think, in what they say, in what they do, and the way they live. By being God fearing, joining our forces and working for the common good, I am very sure we can take Africa to where it is supposed to be.

I mentor many young people who get shocked when they see my work. I am quick to encourage them because I am no superman but my confidence, resilience and hard work have led to successful projects and experiences that I never thought I would have.

The good book after all did promise me that my talents will usher me in to the presence of the great. Stop claiming the promise and then going back to chew on crisps and watching TV series day and night.

Wake up and work your dreams. How will God take you to dine with kings if you have no work to show them but dreams? No great man ever thrived on laziness. My 2026 vision blueprint is to ensure we have a world class social sciences research center and a housing agency in Burundi.

I also pray for God’s guidance to bring up my children as responsible and patriotic Africans. As for my dear wife, it is me and her and no room for any other. I love that woman! (He laughs).

The post One Wife. One Country. One Continent. Clement Maxime Muhire. appeared first on Afrikan Excellence.