Gislene Kouesseu
CEO of Kouesseu and Associates.inc
Gislene Kouesseu, mostly known as Gigi, was born on January 11 th , 1979, in Douala Cameroon. She obtained a master’s degree in Science Economics in the University Institute of Science and Technology of Yaoundé Cameroon. This degree helped her build strong analytical skills and business acumen which later fueled my entrepreneurial journey. Gislene Kouesseu came to the US in 2004 as an international student at Los Angeles City College studying nursing, and unfortunately stopped after four years.
She is profoundly dedicated in improving lives and creating lasting impacts in the society, throughout her career, she became deeply concerned with the challenges faced by people with developmental disabilities. She had a motivation for social change, so in 2018, she and her husband founded an organization called Kouesseu and Associates devoted in helping individuals with developmental disabilities to achieve equality in the society and independence.
As the director of Kouesseu and Associates, she has been advocating for social initiatives which prioritizes the rights of disabled people, improvements in accessibility standards and other facilities in her surroundings. This has led Kouesseu and Associates to be a trusted partner for institutions, families working for inclusivity. Also created relationships with local NGOs to promote a proper environment for people with developmental disabilities.
Her story mostly relies on resilience, dedication, and a strong belief in the power of societal changes. Inspiring people around her and strongly believing in her mission which is to uplift the disabled population here in America and maybe in the whole world. Her vision is to provide necessary resources and support needed by these individuals to become fully independent in the future.
Gislene, known as “Manda Bema” (Mother of the House), is a respected cultural matriarch and community leader entrusted with preserving tradition and order within her community. Despite not being from the Bafut tribe, she has embraced the responsibility of ensuring cultural values are upheld and passed down. As President of "We Care" and an active member of Friends of Friends, CWA, Bamileke Association CALBA, and NDE U.S.A., she has dedicated herself to empowering women, supporting the less privileged, and fostering unity. Through these organizations, she has created a strong network where women uplift each other in times of need and celebrate successes together.
Beyond her cultural and social contributions, Gislene is also a champion of economic empowerment, providing young Cameroonians new to the U.S. with employment opportunities as they work to establish themselves. Her generosity, leadership, and unwavering commitment to community development make her a deserving recipient of the AFRIFAMU Community Achievement Award. She continues to inspire and uplift those around her, ensuring that cultural heritage, social support, and economic empowerment remain at the heart of the community.
AFRIFAMUACAA is happy to celebrate a woman who does not only inspire her community but truly change lives. We are honored to announce that she is our WOMAN OF CHANGE AND DIVERSITY AWARD recipient this year.