KASA: Your Voice, Your Community, Your Success
Introduction
Good morning, everyone. My name is Emmanuel Kasigazi, and I’m honored to serve as your President of the Katz School African Student Association — KASA.
I’m here studying Data Analytics and Visualization, originally from Uganda with an undergraduate degree in Information Systems. But more importantly, I’m here as someone who understands your journey. I’m a seasoned engineer and entrepreneur, and just like you, I’m an immigrant.
I arrived here last year. Before that, I spent time in Toronto, and years ago, I lived in South Sudan. I know what it’s like to not live in your home country. I understand what you might be going through, what you might be experiencing. Different countries, yes, but leaving home is leaving home — and that experience connects us all.
My Background
Back home, I’ve been a leader throughout my life. I ran companies with teams of employees, worked across various sectors from tech to branding, printing production, microfinance, micro-lending, and procurement. We were what you might call “contra-preneurs” — entrepreneurs who adapt and pivot.
My company served everyone from individuals to major corporations like MTN and Eco Bank, to governments and ministries across East Africa — Uganda, Kenya, South Sudan, Rwanda, Congo. I even designed the logo for South Sudan Airlines and their Ministry of Transport. So yes, I’ve been there and done that.
What is KASA?
But let me tell you about KASA.The Katz African Students Association is more than a club. It’s a community — a bridge between who we are and where we are. KASA is how we understand you, and how you understand New York.
This organization is two years in the making, founded by students who came before you. The school wasn’t always majority African — not more than a year or two ago, we had fewer than 50 African students. In fact, the founders were about 10 African students, including Nigerian students like Yemi, Joy, and Danny, who formed this organization to ensure our voices were represented.
Years later, Africans are now the majority — That’s a blessing, but also a responsibility.. It means we now have to prove ourselves. We have to show the school and New York what we’re capable of, who we are, and how talented we truly are.
The truth is: The problem is NOT that we lack skills. Every single one of you is more skilled than most Americans you will meet. The problem is you might not know how to show that, or be confident in that, or even voice it effectively.
That’s what KASA is here to help you with.
Our Three Pillars
During my presidency, we’re operating on three fundamental pillars:
1. Fostering Cultural Belonging, Safe Community Spaces, and Identity Affirmation
We are Africans. We need spaces where people understand our backgrounds, our situations, our journeys, and how we think and see the world.
We’re creating community spaces with regular meet-and-greets with me and other leaders in New York who have walked our path or who look like us. They’ll share what it means for someone like us to live, work, and thrive in this Big Apple.
Identity affirmation is crucial — showing us that we are enough and that what we bring to the table matters. If you can’t see someone like you succeed, it becomes harder to believe it’s possible. I learned this lesson in Toronto, and I want to change that narrative for you.
2. Building Financial Literacy and Establishing Long-Term Stability
Most of us are here on student loans, but we’ll all make money. We’re in the richest, most opportunity-rich city in the world. What does that mean? How do financial systems work here, and how are they different from African ones?
How do you save money? How do you invest? Banking, credit cards — should you send money back home or invest here? What are your options?
We come with one mindset, but systems here work differently. We’re in an abundance economy; many of us come from scarcity. What does adapting to that change mean? What happens after seven years of being here, when money is no longer a primary concern?
3. Cultivating Career Mobility, Professional Presence, and Confident Communication
Like I said, we’re all skilled — that’s not the problem. The problem is: who knows that? It’s not just what you know; it’s who knows that you know what you know.
How do you communicate? How do you walk into a room? How do you overcome imposter syndrome and inferiority complexes? Body language, confidence, showing up authentically — how do you get understood despite your accent?
Career mobility is key. Yes, you’re studying Digital Marketing, but what do you want to become? You don’t necessarily have to be a digital marketer — you could be a product manager or product designer. What does that mean? How is career specialization different from what we have back home, where we often become “jacks of all trades”?
How do you speak corporate America? Resume versus CV — what’s the difference? How do you get your foot in the door?
We’ll be helping with all of that, bringing people to talk to you and show you how to change your mindset. I believe information is power, and the more you know, the more likely you are to succeed.
How You Can Help
Here’s how you can be part of this movement:
- Join the group and stay engaged
- Show up to events — your presence matters
- Say hi and introduce yourself — community starts with connection
- Talk to me and the leaders — share your worries, problems, and ideas
- Tell us how we can help — we’re here to serve you
You ARE the community. You are why I’m here. You are why we’re all here. So talk to us. If you don’t communicate with us, we won’t know how to help you.
Closing
KASA is more than just a student organization — it’s your pathway to belonging, financial wisdom, and career success in America. Together, we’ll ensure that every African student at Katz not only survives but thrives.
Thank you for your attention, and I look forward to working with each of you this semester.
Questions? Let’s talk after the presentation or reach out to me directly. Welcome to KASA — welcome to your community.
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