Born and raised in the Democratic Republic of Congo, I have had the privilege of traveling to various places in the world and meeting people of different backgrounds and cultures. I have realized that no matter the color of our skin, no matter our social status, every human being craves to be loved, to love, to live in peace and harmony.
I am an author, singer, and songwriter who believes in the power of arts in shaping the culture of a generation and I aim to use such a power to influence positively people around me. Raised on the beats of the popular genres such as kwassa kwassa, soukous, and rumba music, early on, my main external music influence was The Jackson Five. Growing up, I have admired the variety of music creativity and have always wanted to explore new territories in my writing and singing without losing touch of my African roots. As an independent thinker and observer, I believe in an active, positive, and non-violent social justice engagement.
I don’t keep a personal journal, but I use this blog to share my life experiences and observations with the world. I can’t figure out yet how to translate this into being what people call a (professional) author. It may take me a few more years of trial and error to get there, or maybe getting to meet a mentor who will help me find my way there.
I have nine years plus working in the private sector and nonprofit organizations, leading projects in sexual and gender-based violence, health, and nutrition, youth, and community development. I value my relationship with God far above any religious ritual. I would love to be remembered as a man that never lets the outside world dictates his inner world. A man who walked by faith and whose positivity contributed to bringing hope and healing to a hurting world.
I am the recipient of the “2019 Maurice J. and Fay B. Karpf & Ari Hahn Peace Endowment Award”, for the video to the song Nzala, raising awareness on the consequences of war and violence on the well-being of humanity, pinpointing more particularly the issue of poverty as a result of violence around the world. Not only is poverty a consequence of war and violence, but poverty can also be a cause of war and violence. I am also the recipient of the 2020 Barbara Wakefield Award from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University, an award given each year to an individual who has contributed in a significant way in leadership, building his community with their activities, relationships, and attitude.
Some of the items on my bucket list that I am proud I have achieved are: