Honest early-career stories from African builders and professionals. One entry a month. No highlight reels.
Every big career was once a first day, a first rejection, a first cold message nobody answered. Entry One documents that part. The part people usually skip.
What this is
Long-form profiles of early-career professionals, founders, and builders. Real starts, real detours, real lessons.
Who it's for
Students and early-career professionals, with an Africa-forward focus: the continent and the diaspora.
The cadence
One entry every month. As always, see you next month 🙂
ENTRY SEVEN · MAY 2026
If Damien Was a Stock, I'd Buy Him
Damien Niyonshuti · Software Engineer at Ford
"Stop waiting to feel ready. Pry."
ENTRY SIX · MARCH 2026
Builder's Edition: Bakame AI
Happy Herman & Diarra Niang · Co-founders
"Waiting until you feel completely ready is often the fastest way to never start."
Entry Six: Builder’s Edition (Bakame Ai)
ENTRY FIVE · FEBRUARY 2026
Beyond the Classroom, Beyond the Crowd
Praise Manzi · AI Intern at NVIDIA
"Follow your curiosity."
ENTRY FOUR · JANUARY 2026
A Problem Worth Solving, A Purpose Worth Pursuing
Mrs. Florida Kabasinga · Founder, CERTA
"What is a problem you care enough to keep showing up for?"
ENTRY TWO · OCTOBER 2025
Gaju Gatera · Senior PM at Microsoft
"Whatever life throws at you, you cannot give up."
ENTRY ONE · OCTOBER 2025 · WHERE IT STARTED
Mike Manzi · Software Engineer at Capital One
"Now is the hardest it will ever be. It gets easier once you begin."
FOLLOW ALONG
New entries land here first, then on socials.
Founded October 2025. Built to show what's possible.