How I became one of 105 new Obama Foundation Global Leaders

I am overwhelmed by the amount of love and support pouring in from all of you. It’s not been an easy task to hold this news for some time. When I received the acceptance letter, I couldn’t believe it myself. I am writing this article to empower the self-doubters dealing with imposter syndrome on the daily. You’ve already done great things. Pat yourself on the shoulder and remind yourself that: Yes! You! Can!?

I applied to the Obama Foundation Leaders program on two premises, 1) as a political activist from Uganda based in Denmark, using hip hop music for positive social change for over ten years, and 2) as a Project Associate supporting tech entrepreneurs with solutions to democracies’ problems, at the Alliance of Democracies Foundation .

For my music activism work, see here: https://banamutibwa.org/

So, how did a Luganda political rapper transition to a Project Associate supporting democracy tech entrepreneurs from Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Armenia, and Venezuela?

Growing-up, I witnessed firsthand how Museveni’s authoritarian regime was the root-cause of the corruption, inequality, and societal injustices I faced in Uganda. I didn’t believe in an education and economic system built on the merits of nepotism, and personal rank in society. We were poor and I had no support network of Ugandan elites to allow me thrive post education. So, I dropped out of high school and found refuge in writing and performing Hip Hop music.

Fast forward to when I moved to Denmark in the cold winter of December 2014. I quickly realized that I needed to attain an education first if I was to continue my fight for democracy and freedom as a profession. In the summer of 2015, I was admitted to Langk?r Gymnasium to study the International Baccalaureate Diploma. It wasn’t always easy to be the oldest kid on the block, but I hung in there. My newcomer brothers and sisters, it is not too late to start afresh. Thanks, Mark Druett and your team for your guidance during the years I spent in Tilst.

“I am ready to give whatever it will take to shine bright like a diamond, if offered a place on this study programme.” That was my concluding sentence when I applied to the 丹麦哥本哈根商学院 to study International Business and Politics (If you know, you know).?I guess, I meant it literally. No matter how old you are, never forget to show-off your coolness. That is key to the politics of pleasure. But remember to switch back to your formal authority when need be. Thanks, Eddie Ashbee and your team for your guidance during the 3 years I spent in Frederiksberg.

I joined Alliance of Democracies Foundation as an intern in the summer of Covid-19. Despite the role being a perfect match for me and my competencies, as a father to a 3-year old son then, my main motivation for applying to the internship was the small wage that came along with the position. Unpaid internships deepen the existing social divide. A survey conducted by National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) found that paid internships disproportionately go to white, male students with parents who have a college degree. I guess something ought to change globally. “It’s Time to Officially End Unpaid Internships” as Rakshitha Arni Ravishankar highlights in the Harvard Business Review .

At the Alliance of Democracies Foundation, I was tasked with developing a new project in the intersections of democracy, tech & entrepreneurship. I remember vividly the day I pitched the results of my internship to Alliances of Democracies Foundation founder and chairman, Former Prime Minister of Denmark, and Secretary General of NATO, Anders Fogh Rasmussen . He said yes to the Fellowship which is now my current job. Thanks to our Executive Director, Jonas Parello-Plesner and our COO Maria Fogh Duelund for not being intimidated by job market demands and employing a fresh new (mature) graduate.

I am thrilled to be joining the global network of #ObamaLeaders. It’s an honor to be part of the Leaders Europe cohort and I’m equally excited to join fellow Leaders doing the work to make a difference in Europe, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region. Again, applying to the Leader’s program wasn’t entirely my idea. I was encouraged by Sahra-Josephine Hjorth to apply and had I not promised her that I would apply, I doubt if I would have done it myself.

Also, thanks to all of you that have supported the Democracy Tech Entrepreneur Fellowship. You’re too many to mention. I will tag all names of masterclass speakers, mentors, democracy activists and experts that have supported me, us, from day one in the comments section. Many thanks.

I will end on a quote by Jay-Z, that I also included in my Obama Leaders application:

“The goal is not to be successful and famous…the goal is, if you have a specific God-given ability, is to live your life out through that”.