Am I a throwback to an earlier generation or a modern-day incarnation?
Probably a little of both.
People often mistake my even-temperament for "no-nonsense" when they first meet me. It's a shame because once you get to know me you will discover that I'm far from serious and the words 'assertive', 'humorous', and 'curious' better describe me.
A transplant to the United States, I grew up in Ferkessedougou, a rural town in Côte d’Ivoire. In my youth, I constantly ate sugar cane as a snack as I was always looking for a sweet rush. Only later did I realize that my early quest for a sugar rush was, in fact, a search for something exciting—a trend that has always been part of my life.
In 2008, shortly after receiving my MSc from a business school in Abidjan, I was fortunate enough to win the green card lottery and began to build a life for myself in New York in 2009. It wasn’t the ideal time to land since it was just after the economic downturn of 2008, but with a little persistence and courage the United States eventually started to feel like home.
“Life is an exciting business, and most exciting when it is lived for others.”
Although I am still figuring things out, I know for sure is that every day is a humbling experience. I am grateful for the experiences and opportunities I've had, and the people who add depth to my life, like my wife and daughter. They both teach me something about myself and life every single day.
So as I juggle parenthood, marriage, and a professional career, I intend to use this online platform to share my thoughts about the things that interest, affect, and inspire me: environmental sustainability, humanitarian action, impact investing, and community development in particular.
Things that matter if we hope to create a brighter future for our children.
