Norman Musengimana
FOUNDING DIRECTOR AT BIZSKILLS FOR GOOD INC.
I have a unique background that has taken me from Rwanda to Kenya, to study in the United Kingdom and Canada. I pursued my passion for innovation and entrepreneurship, earning a Master’s degree in Leading Innovation and Change and a Master of Management in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. My love for helping others achieve their goals has driven me to volunteer and travel the world, visiting over 20 countries and working on social innovation and entrepreneurship projects.
Now, I am thrilled to be working in the City of Kingston. My role is two-fold; I work with ecosystem partners to help our ecosystem function better and grow. I also work with entrepreneurs on two aspects of entrepreneurship. I support local entrepreneurs and start-ups in exploring entrepreneurship, building strategies for their businesses, and facilitating them to access resources. I also find and attract the best and brightest founders from other parts of the world to Kingston, providing them with access to essential resources and guiding them as they integrate into the local ecosystem.
For me, it’s all about respect, kindness, and a love for learning. I enjoy connecting with people, discovering new technologies, and exploring the world of patents and ideas. I feel so fortunate to work with such incredible people and to be part of such a welcoming community.
As for my travels, I’ve been lucky enough to explore Rwanda – my motherland, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, South Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Zambia, and Egypt. In Europe; Belgium, Scotland, Switzerland, The Netherlands, England, France, Germany, and Denmark. Asian countries; India, South Korea, Japan, Qatar, UAE. & North America; USA and Canada, my new 🙂
Overall, I am excited about what the future holds and look forward to helping others achieve their dreams, one step at a time.
Hakeem Subair
FOUNDER AT 1MT & DIRECTOR AT BIZSKILLS FOR GOOD INC.
My current roles as CEO of 1 Million Teachers Inc, adjunct professor, and student advisor are shaped by my passion for applying business principles to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing our planet.
I never set out to be an entrepreneur. In fact, I grew up wanting to be a pilot because I had an uncle in the Nigerian Air Force. I never thought about teaching either. Very few in my community did. But that all changed because, before anything else, I’m a parent. When I struggled to find a suitable education for my kids, it quickly spiraled into the realization that this is a global problem. One that’s not slowing down.
In my search for answers, I was brought back to so many of the things I witnessed growing up. The lack of teachers isn’t random. It’s systemic. Many teachers aren’t adequately trained or compensated, which impacts the quality of their teaching and the confidence they have in the community. This impacts the perception of the profession, leading to fewer people wanting to pursue it. It’s a vicious cycle, but it’s one that can be changed.
For me, all the statistics about the global teacher shortage are personal. But what began as a family mission has grown beyond what I could have ever imagined. I’m so incredibly grateful for the support of every person and organization that has been part of this journey, and in particular, I’m grateful for our global teaching community. They’ve made it easy to reaffirm that what we’re building is critical.
Every time we release a new module, it’s followed by a request for more. Our teachers are eager to support one another and to bring their skills beyond the classroom and into their communities. The global teacher shortage can feel insurmountable, but every day it’s them who prove it’s possible.
We’ve come a long way but really, we’ve only just begun. Whatever part you’ve played in this journey, thank you.