Connections!

Reflecting back to was a busy first quarter of 2025!

The end of Q1 brings much to reflect on. It's been fulfilling quarter bonding with friends and peers, as well as new connections from across the continent and beyond. The role we play in shifting the narrative while creating linkages, can outlast us and that has never been more important than now.

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of chatting on a podcast with Damilola Adeduro, a lettering artist, brand identity designer, and visual communications professional. The podcast conversation, which rekindled why I moved back to Rwanda, led us to discuss Illume's genesis, authenticity, bridging creativity and business, and the importance of excellence. You can find the episode HERE!

In Feb, I got to reconnect with a friend and adopted son of Rwanda, French artist Guillaume Sardin, whose residency and solo show fostered a powerful discussion on: “creolization, local traditions, and ethnography”. Through the complex story of Nyagakecuru, the exhibition invited viewers to reflect on their own identities and the ongoing dialogue between history and globalization.

At the beginning of March, I was invited to join a panel and participate in a celebration for students at the Africa Leadership University as part of the SoCreative Program and certificate ceremony. Once again, it was an opportunity to meet and connect with students from all over the continent who are gaining skills in the ever-growing and increasingly important creative industry. Special shoutout to Valeria Mosso and her team for connecting us and being constant supporters of these valuable exchanges.

For one evening, at a private dinner, I had the privilege of breaking bread with some of Rwanda's most emblematic artists and patrons of the arts, an evening curated by Kami Gahiga where we interacted with Koyo Kouoh, whom the Fondazione La Biennale di Venezia appointed as Curator of the Biennale Arte 2026. This was part of Zeitz MOCAA's visit to Rwanda in preparation for their annual Curated Art Tour scheduled for later in September of this year.

And last week, I shared my story, en français s'il vous plaît, for Semaine de la Francophonie, invited by Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation, Rwanda at IFR with "Je m'éduque, donc j'agis" as the theme. Ce fut un moment de fierté de partager mon parcours, toujours à la recherche de partenariats et engagé à valoriser la créativité africaine sur la scène mondiale en présence d'ambassadeurs et d'invités de marque. En fin de compte, ce fut l'occasion de rappeler que la narration authentique et les partenariats stratégiques sont des outils essentiels pour créer un impact durable pour le futur développement de notre chère continent.

Finally, I witnessed and celebrated with my peoples, Joan Mazimhaka and Anne Mazimhaka of Illume, the fruits of their hard work and collaboration with the teams at Discover Zambia, TUI Care Foundation, and Nikon Middle East Africa, held as part of the Tui Colorful Cultures Program, where over 30 participants received certificates for content creator masterclasses. Felt like an OG!

Busy March, huh?

You made it to the end, thanks for reading along!