Awareness: Action-Oriented Economic Re-Education that Prioritizes the Black Experience
Reimagining Trajectories: Global Black Development in Action
On Wednesday, November 20, 2024, DIFFvelopment proudly launched the inaugural cohort of the Council on Global Black Development (CGBD) research program, marking a monumental step in our mission to empower visionary Black leaders through solutions-based research.
This Year’s Cohort
Selected from a competitive pool of applicants, this exceptional cohort includes five researchers with diverse academic and professional expertise, representing areas such as economic development, education, and policy advocacy. Each member is assigned to one of two departments:
- Trajectories Department: This team will be focused on determining how historical knowledge of self influences the life trajectory of individuals, with a focus on the choices they make in education, career, and financial investment.
- Impact Department: This team will be dedicated to identifying the ways in which these informed life choices contribute to positive community impact and generational wealth building.
Program Structure
The CGBD program is designed to develop the next generation of Black thought leaders. It begins with a two-day orientation, where researchers delve into the ancient roots and shared identity of the global Black community. From there, they transition into a yearlong research journey divided into three distinct phases:
- Planning: Researchers develop department-specific execution plans.
- Research & Collaboration: Teams conduct in-depth studies, sharing progress monthly through collaborative meetings.
- Synthesis & Presentation: Findings are consolidated into a unified report, culminating in a high-profile symposium in October 2025.
Supporters’ Role
The symposium offers a unique opportunity for supporters to engage with the researchers’ groundbreaking work. We invite you to attend, provide feedback, and partner with us to actualize their visionary recommendations. Look out for registration details!
Program Goals and Aspirations
Participants expressed their ambitions for the program through onboarding responses. Many shared their eagerness to gain mentorship, access historical archives, and collaborate with peers across the diaspora. A standout goal is the desire to create research outputs that directly improve the socioeconomic conditions of Black communities worldwide.
Looking Ahead
This inaugural cohort’s journey represents a pivotal moment in DIFFvelopment’s history. Together, we’re creating a foundation for impactful research and visionary leadership that will shape the future of the global Black community. Stay tuned for updates as we approach the symposium, where these researchers will unveil their innovative solutions to challenges that have spanned centuries.
Advancement: Activated & Hungry to Effect Change
Spotlight: Pacifique Nezerwa, ’23 Alumnus
Since completing DIFFvelopment’s Consultrepreneurship program in 2023, Pacifique Nezerwa has exemplified what it means to translate education into actionable change. His wealth status has increased by 4%, signaling his active journey toward building generational wealth. But this statistic is only the beginning of his impact story.
Transformative Growth
Before joining DIFFvelopment, Pacifique believed business success was solely profit-driven. Through the program, he embraced the concept of social entrepreneurship: building sustainable wealth while creating meaningful community impact. “The mantra of ‘Giving back to the Black community’ inspired me to transform NELEVAT into a social enterprise,” he shared. NELEVAT now provides affordable access to crucial digital skills training, addressing Rwanda’s high youth digital skills gap and unemployment rates.
Milestones in Leadership and Visionary Action
Under Pacifique’s leadership, NELEVAT has trained over 255 learners, with ambitions to reach 2,000 by late 2025. His innovative approach combines online and offline learning, using corporate sponsorships to reduce costs for participants. His organization has secured over $10,500 in financial and in-kind contributions, and forged partnerships with key players such as the Rwanda ICT Chamber and Africa Cybersecurity Consortium. Pacifique explains, “The (DIFFvelopment) program gave me the confidence to lead and a roadmap to solve problems effectively. It equipped me to negotiate for funding and form strategic alliances.”
Community-Centered Impact
Pacifique’s impact extends beyond numbers. Through NELEVAT, he has created three permanent jobs and works with twelve contractors, contributing to Rwanda’s economic ecosystem. He mentors aspiring professionals, ensuring they not only gain skills but also access employment opportunities.
A key milestone of NELEVAT’s success is its innovative e-learning platform, accessible at learn.nelevat.com. This platform is revolutionizing access to education by providing:
- Personalized, self-paced learning.
- Progress tracking and impactful statistics to motivate learners.
- Tools for instructors to deliver more effective courses.
NELEVAT’s platform exemplifies Pacifique’s vision for scalable, impactful education. Reflecting on his journey, Pacifique shared, “DIFFvelopment helped me realize the importance of giving back. Today, I don’t just see success as personal—I see it as collective.”
A Visionary Journey Forward
Despite his growing success, Pacifique remains humble and driven. “The recognition I’ve received motivates me to aim higher,” he shared, referencing accolades such as the Youth Connekt Award and participation in the East African Community Fellowship. He is currently raising $85,000 to expand NELEVAT’s reach, improve digital education accessibility, and provide job-ready training across East Africa.
Support Future Visionaries Like Pacifique
Pacifique’s journey is living proof of how the Consultrepreneurship program has been successfully nurturing global Black visionaries who actively tackle socioeconomic challenges in their communities since 2017. This program consistently equips leaders with the tools, mentorship, and innovative curriculum needed to drive meaningful and sustainable change.
Your support as a donor fuels this impactful work. By funding mentorship, innovative curriculum development, and alumni engagement, you empower leaders like Pacifique to scale their influence and deliver transformative solutions across the global Black community.
Join us in advancing this mission by donating to DIFFvelopment or becoming a program sponsor. Together, we can amplify the efforts of alumni who are reshaping lives and communities, creating a legacy of progress and empowerment. Visit DIFFvelopment’s website to make your contribution today.
Transformation: Developing Their World DIFFerently
Empowering Change: Advancing Our Online Resource Center and Strengthening Leadership for Long-Term Impact
As we reflect on the close of 2024, we are thrilled to highlight the continued advancements of our Online Resource Center for Black Economic Empowerment. This flagship initiative remains central to our mission of equipping young Black visionaries with tools to build generational wealth and drive meaningful community transformation.
A Year of Growth and Strategic Focus
Throughout Q4, we made significant progress in refining the platform’s infrastructure, enhancing its content offerings, and laying the groundwork for a robust 2025 marketing strategy. This effort positions the Online Resource Center as the premier global resource for Black-centered economic empowerment and historical education.
In parallel with these advancements, DIFFvelopment’s founders undertook a series of strategic professional development opportunities aimed at strengthening the organization’s leadership and fundraising capacity to meet the $500,000 Online Resource Center marketing plan goal. These initiatives included:
- Global Good Fund Fundraising for Social Impact Web Course
- Nasdaq Milestone Circles Program
- Woman Evolve Conference
- As A Man Thinketh Leadership Training
These programs holistically broadened the founders’ network-building, leadership, and fundraising skills, directly supporting DIFFvelopment’s strategic growth.
Immediate Results of Professional Development
The insights and connections gained from these programs are already yielding tangible outcomes:
- Partnership Exploration: The organization is actively exploring partnership opportunities with TD Jakes Enterprises via the Good Soil Forum and Stand Together.
- Grant Pursuit: DIFFvelopment is now pursuing the Nasdaq Foundation’s grant opportunity, leveraging newfound “insider” perspectives.
- Donor Engagement: A high-level monthly donor acquisition and management plan has been implemented, inspired by the Global Good Fund training and aligned with the Online Resource Center marketing plan, which was the CEO’s project focus during her participation in the Nasdaq Milestone Circle program.
Call to Action
As we prepare for 2025, the Online Resource Center continues to be a cornerstone of our vision. With a $100,000 pledge from an existing funder already secured, we now aim to raise an additional $400,000 to fully unlock its potential. These funds will support critical initiatives such as expanding digital outreach, enhancing platform content, and scaling institutional access to drive meaningful impact.
Your support is vital to achieving this goal. By partnering with DIFFvelopment, you can play a pivotal role in empowering Black communities worldwide with the resources and tools to thrive economically and socially. Visit DIFFvelopment’s website to join this transformative effort.
Together, we are not only developing a platform but also reshaping the future of economic empowerment for Black communities globally. Let’s continue to build this legacy of progress and impact.
Learn More About DIFFvelopment
Get an in-depth understanding of DIFFvelopment’s mission, programs, and impact by exploring our newly released DIFFvelopment Organizational and Strategic Impact Overview (2025). This comprehensive document highlights our efforts to empower Black visionaries globally through innovative programs and strategic growth initiatives.
Organizational Updates
We’re excited to announce the launch of our Board of Benefactors, an exclusive opportunity for passionate supporters to play a key role in advancing DIFFvelopment’s mission.
As a Board of Benefactors member, you will:
- Join a network of influential changemakers committed to Black empowerment.
- Contribute to sustaining and growing DIFFvelopment’s transformative programs.
- Receive exclusive updates and recognition for your contributions.
Learn More About the Board of Benefactors
Apply Now
Fundraising Progress
We are thankful to be able to share that DIFFvelopment received $25,000 from Santander in support of our flagship Consultrepreneurship program. This is part of a generous three-year commitment totaling $75,000. Santander’s continued investment fuels the development of the next generation of historically conscious, entrepreneurially minded, and financially literate Black visionary community leaders. Thank you, Santander, for believing in the transformative power of our work!
transformative impact.
How You Can Support Our Efforts
Does DIFFvelopment’s mission resonate with you? Join us in expanding our impact by empowering more aspiring Black visionaries to develop their world differently.
There are many ways to get involved:
- Invest in Our Growth: Your support helps us create sustainable personal, generational, and communal wealth-building opportunities.
- Professional Mentorship: Share your expertise to guide the next wave of Black leaders.
- Fundraising Collective: Partner with us to drive resources and grow our programs.
Fill out our Professional Mentorship & Fundraising Collective Enrollment Form and let us know how you’d like to contribute to DIFFvelopment’s mission. Together, we can shape a brighter future!