SHIFT Enterprise Academy is a Texas based not for profit organization with an expanding foot print in East Africa.

We introduce ambitious minds to the SHIFT Approach while helping them get from where they are now, to where they would want to be in the future.

“At the bottom of education, at the bottom of politics, even at the bottom of religion, there must be, for our race, as for all races, economic independence.”

-Booker T. Washington 

SHIFT’s 1st Youth Innovation Challenge pushes Gen Z to think critically about solutions 

Across the continent of Africa, those young people known as “Generation Z” are demanding their governments hear their call for help including jobs opportunities, better policies, and transparency.

Youth wanting “change” is no stranger to history.

With this in mind, SHIFT Enterprise Academy is creating opportunities for youth and young adults to present their ideas for both business and policies through a new program called the Youth Innovation Challenge (YIC).

On August 1, 2024, SHIFT Enterprise Academy hosted a LIVE youth policy challenge across our social media channels.

The event came as a direct response from East African Generation Z demanding more opportunities and that their voice be heard in the ever evolving world we live in now.

For one week, 25 youth from DR Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Liberia, and South Sudan engaged actively with learning the pillars of SHIFT.  

Then 10 of our most committed participants were provided a real world simulated prompt to create a solution to some problem facing our society.

They did not disappoint.

The ten finalist were divided into two teams; the Enterprisers and the Authorities.

Each team had one person represent one of the SHIFT pillars with their solution and business policy.

See some selected highlights below. 

We hope to help each participant build upon their ideas going forward.

We are looking forward to these Youth Innovation Challenges becoming a greater part of our engagements with youth across borders, including back home in the United States.

If you would like to partner with SHIFT on an upcoming YIC or provide $500 seed funding for an idea from our previous Youth Innovation Challenge you can use the Calendly link below to schedule a one-one-one chat.

You can also provide an in kind contribution using our Donor Box account

(Link Below).

SHIFT Forward Centers: “A Haven for Wealth Creation” in East Africa and beyond

SHIFT Enterprise Academy and Brisby Development Services Founder, Ethan Brisby is leading a team of key stakeholders in designing and developing four sites within Uganda’s Central Region that will feature educational, retail, office, and industrial land uses.

The aim of Phase I of the Forward Centers development project is to amplify the work SHIFT does in educating, accelerating, and incubating early stage ventures across East Africa and beyond.

Brisby is an alumnus of Morehouse College (B.A. Urban Studies) and Texas A&M’s Master’s in Land and Property Development program.

He brings his 10+ years of real estate and community development experience including a stint on the City of Bryan’s Planning and Zoning Commission to East Africa. Brisby says the SHIFT Forward Centers are the pinnacle of his life’s work.

Two of the sites will be ground up developments and include 160 units per site for a total of 320 residential units using fabricated shipping containers and 3D printed homes. The two other sites are existing structures.

Each of the ground up sites will be 100% solar powered with the option to bring power to the surrounding communities as well through a power purchasing agreement with local government. 

Phase II of the SHIFT Forward Centers project includes developing a regional airport and rail line to further accelerate economic activity in Central Uganda in alignment with several government policies.

The SHIFT Forward Centers project is moving closer to becoming “shovel ready” while closing in on securing its initial round of funding.

For more information about the SHIFT Forward Centers project visit www.brisbydevelopmentservices.com select “Contact Us” or Join the mailing list for periodical updates.

SHIFT Enterprise Academy Membership

Offering elite benefits for Doing Business, Investing, or Visiting East Africa

Are you interested in learning how your business can tap into the growing East African market beginning with Uganda and Kenya? 

Would you want to have access to pre-vetted early stage ventures to invest in? 

Is visiting the continent of Africa, specifically Uganda or Kenya a bucket list item?

If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, SHIFT Enterprise Academy membership is for you. 

Subscribe today!

We offer one on one consultations to assess your needs and wants for doing business in East Africa.

We also have quarterly cohorts and monthly mastermind calls to help build community around our network of entrepreneurs. 

SHIFT Tours & Travel

Allow us to be your personal concierge for your next East African voyage

Angel Investing

Let’s do our part in bridging the gap between ideas and funding.

At SHIFT Enterprise Academy, our promise is that we meet our members where they are in the process of “Doing business, Visiting, or Investing in East Africa”

Our programs are for those who have a similar ethos for the work we do. 

To set up an initial consultation use the link below:

Enterpriser Spotlight: Guilaine Bayubasire

Guilaine is the Founder of WoSWIFT, a women-led designer handbag manufacturer. What sets Guilaine apart is not only the quality of the work she delivers, but also her dynamic work ethic. 

A refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guilaine first joined SHIFT Enterprise Academy in April 2023. She quickly assimilated into the community which helped her reach new markets with her products.

Since then, WoSWIFT has continued to expand, recently opening up a store front in Kitebi, Kampala, Uganda. 

Guilaine is the true definition of what it means to use the SHIFT Approach to get from where you are now to where you want to be.

She exemplifies the pillar Follow Directions, which teaches and infuses the ideals of perseverance and staying the course.

To purchase her bags wholesale send an inquire with the subject “WoSWIFT” to [email protected]

And that’s all folks…!

We hope you have enjoyed this edition of our newsletter, “Decision Maker’s Boulevard.” 

If our work inspires you, we encourage you to take action based on the information shared above.

“Let us put our moneys together; let us use our moneys; let us put our money out at usury among ourselves, and reap the benefit ourselves.”

-Maggie Lena Walker 

In-Kind Contributions helps us continue offering youth and young adult training free or at subsidized rates including ongoing mentorship.

Help us get an early jump on our fall programming goal of $25,000 which is about 93,000,000 Ugandan Schillings (UGX).

You can also make a monthly contribution on our Donor Box page, Cash App ($SHIFTEnterprises), or Zelle ([email protected])

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From last issue: review our 1st Half of 2024 highlights