Blog

You Can’t Pour from an Empty Cup: Rethinking How We Drive Change in Africa

I’ve had the privilege of crossing paths with some of the most passionate and driven individuals across Africa. Teachers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders who, against all odds, feel called to uplift their communities. Their stories inspire me deeply, but I’ve come to recognize a recurring pattern – one that I feel compelled to talk about.

Thank you, and See you Soon.

As I close out 2024, a year that has been both exhilarating and transformative, I find myself reflecting on a concept that has surfaced repeatedly in my thoughts and conversations—social debt. For much of my life and career, I have carried this weight with pride, honoring my obligations to family, friends, and my broader community. As I step into 2025, I am making a conscious choice to recalibrate.

The Tipping Point: A Broken Economy

When I first moved to New York City, I quickly became acquainted with the complexities of the American economy, many of which I had only observed from afar. One of the most striking aspects was the tipping culture—a seemingly small but pervasive feature of daily life that speaks volumes about deeper systemic issues.