From the Desk of our Founder, Ethan Brisby

1. Walking the Vision: SHIFT’s Bold Steps Toward the Future of East Africa

Visiting the two sites we selected for the Forward Centers project was more life. This moment was special because I got to literally see and visualize the pinnacle of this work.

The SHIFT Forward Centers are game changers in many ways due to their multidimensional functionality as a mixed use development project. The model is a template for all work we do in East Africa related to SHIFT Enterprise Academy. I can vividly recall walking each site, mentally creating land use plans.

2. Empowering Enterprisers: Launch Pad 2024 Sets the Stage for Greatness

3. SHIFT Forward Centers Take Center Stage at 5th Annual Entebbe Investment Summit

Thanks to our endearing partnership with the Africa Center for Economic Dialogue, SHIFT Enterprise Academy was provided an open space to introduce the SHIFT Forward Centers in front of 100s of summit goers at the shores of Lake Victoria.

I spent about 10 minutes outlining the key dates and milestones SHIFT achieved between our East African inception in October 2021, and then with the confidence of my ancestors backing me, I announced SHIFT Enterprise Academy in partnership with Brisby Development Services would be developing the SHIFT Forward Centers.

At the time, I did not know how, but I was absolutely certain about the vision and the critical need for what the Forward Centers will provide.

4. From Ideas to Action: SHIFT Sparks Connections at Kampala Business Summit

Another moment that cemented 2024 for SHIFT Enterprise Academy is that we were able to showcase early stage ventures from our ecosystem at the Kampala International Business Summit. We brought six early stage ventures from our Capacity Building cohort as well as our partners from Next Gen Robotics to the Golf Course Hotel in Kampala. Everyone in attendance on Day 2 of the summit got the chance to learn about the ventures for the purpose of engaging in partnerships.

The day was exclaimed by learning one of our Enterprisers (MiMi’s) was able to sign an MOU from the showcase to teach village girls how to make reusable pads. 

5. Empowering Refugee Entrepreneurs: SHIFT and YARID Change Lives in Kampala

Another opportunity that came along due to our close relationship with AfCED is being able to co-host a training for 80 refugees in Kampala.

Kampala is a landlocked country in Eastern Africa with neighboring countries in conflicts zones such as South Sudan and DR Congo. Because of this and Uganda’s open borders for refugees, Uganda has the most refugees of all African nations. With this comes the need to pour into this subset of the population as they recreate a life in a new country.

SHIFT was able to aid in the efforts to upskill these entrepreneurs with a 2 day workshop aimed at increasing public speaking, pitching, and understanding some of the basic, but overlooked aspects of running a successful small business. For me personally, this may be the Moment of the Year, because it addresses a largely untapped demand for services for refugees.

Many of them have solid trade skills and/or have very viable businesses. Members of the refugee community I have engaged are always so eager, so grateful to learn and engage. YARID secured a grant that gifted 40 refugees with 1,000,000 UGX ($270) to support their business operations. Many testimonies are coming from this work.

6. Igniting Innovation: SHIFT’s Youth Challenge Elevates Big Ideas Across Continents

This program came from the need to address the concerns and demands of today’s youth.

Many of us know them as Generation Z or those within the age of 12-27.

This generation has grown up exclusively in the internet age. They have inherited a world in transition and as some of them are coming of age, they are demanding that their voices be heard in one way or another. One such example is the uprisings that happened in Kenya during the months of June, July, and August. It was right around this time that we hosted our first ever Youth Innovation Challenge which drew interest from as far West as Liberia and as far East as India.

In the end, our East African contestants from Uganda, Kenya and DR Congo stood out.

We hosted a LIVE stream on all SHIFT social media channels July 1, 2024 featuring 10 of our Gen Z participants expressing their policy and business ideas related to education, clean energy, construction, and agriculture.

This is an event we see ourselves doing again next year. It was amazing. 

7. Nurturing Tomorrow’s Leaders: SHIFT’s 5-Week Training “Capacity Building for Maximum Results” Spurs Entrepreneurship

In just two weeks, we secured 37 new Enterprisers and immediately launched into our scheduled programming. We hosted weekly 75-minute sessions designed to introduce these entrepreneurs to the SHIFT Approach and inspire them to launch or expand their businesses. We plan to resume concluding our cohorts with a pitch competition in 2025.

This cohort showcased blockchain ventures in Nigeria, shea butter operations in Uganda, and media companies in Kenya. The talent is immense, the opportunities for growth are boundless, and SHIFT serves as a vital conduit for turning potential into progress.

8. Bridging Borders: Bright Futures Gala Unites Texas and Uganda

One of our most amazing events of the year was hosting the Bright Future’s Gala in Bryan, Texas. This was a partnership with MrsRosesBabies, a Texas based non profit organization.

9. Expanding Horizons: WEFA and SHIFT Build a Pan-African Network

With members across more than 40 countries and hundreds of early-stage ventures at different stages of growth, WEFA provides a fertile ground for SHIFT to cultivate a healthy ecosystem and support network for emerging businesses. This year, we participated in several key WEFA events, including their monthly meet-and-greets for members and friends, which allowed us to connect further with ventures like M-Cash and All Greens. SHIFT also took center stage at the annual Trans Africa Investment Summit, hosted by WEFA in Kampala, Uganda, during the first weekend of November.

10. Leading the Charge: The State of SHIFT Enterprise Academy & Vision for the Future

In July, we released a recording of me (Ethan Brisby) discussing the various traits of SHIFT that make us who we are. From our programming; Launch Pad and SHIFT Ventures to our Learning Management System. The State of SHIFT Enterprise Academy helped us share the vision we have for SHIFT in East Africa. The fifteen minute speech is all one needs to better understand just what SHIFT is building both home and abroad.

In July, we also received a preliminary term sheet to fund the development of the SHIFT Forward Centers project, pending our ability to bring the project to “shovel ready status.”

11. Engineering Dreams: SHIFT and Next Gen Robotics Build Bridges Through Innovation

One of our partners that promises hope for the future is Next Gen Robotics. This Uganda based youth organization works hands on to train the next generation of engineering innovators in East Africa. From group mentoring sessions to support for the founder, this is a partnership we really like. Especially considering the ability to leverage said partnership and MrsRosesBabies to bridge the gap between African and African American youth.

Robotics aligns with SHIFT’s long term vision for diving deep into research and development for robotics for industry especially in the agribusiness and infrastructure sectors. This is a good cause. This program needs a sponsor for equipment and travel.

12. Learning Without Limits: SHIFT’s Learning Management System Expands Access to Knowledge

The LMS is something that has been in the works for some time now. It is with great pleasure that I can report that the LMS now has self paced courses available for our learners. What used to be only LIVE sessions on Zoom now is growing and includes multiple learning opportunities and a resource library available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

13. Success Stories That Inspire: SHIFT Enterprisers Shine in 2024

One of the best ways to measure our impact in East Africa is by the success stories of our Enterprisers. Those people who have engaged with us faithfully have begun seeing tangible progress. Some are leveraging their early stage ventures to create jobs, take care of their families, and many have begun the process of looking for ways to grow their operations beyond their home markets.

While the road is not linear for most of our Enterprisers, we acknowledge any and all progress.

From publishing new books with Kitabu, to entering new markets with Karibu Coffee early stage ventures are moving forward within our ecosystem. Some are developing new products like WoSWIFT and securing investment funding like NuNu Fund and Smart Kitchen Solutions. While Armand from DR Congo took a break to earn an MBA.

The list of ongoing success stories of triumph and growth is long. Including our first pitch competition winner, Joel, and Zebraville. We know by the pulse of our evolving ecosystem that the best is yet to come and in 2025, all barriers must fall. 

14. The People Behind the Progress: SHIFT’s Dream Team Powers Change

At times it feels like the weight of this work is mine to bear alone. However, I know there are a few people who are always thinking about SHIFT with clarity of thought about the opportunity of now. As a vision bearer, at times my interpreters (founding team) give me a headache and also make my heart burst with joy.

When I think about Grace in Kenya, her consistency and excitement stand out. From making countless introductions to helping SHIFT expand its footprint in Kenya, she has given me peace of mind. Then there’s Mike and Gary in the States, who took charge of the Youth Innovation Challenge, turning it into a unique experience. They supported every contestant before and after the event. Edson in Uganda has become like a brother to me, always a reliable sounding board and listening ear. Many others have contributed in countless ways, dating back to our early days in East Africa.

I truly believe 2025 will be the year the flood gates open for SHIFT to secure the resources necessary to take the next step in this shared vision for economic mobility in the East African Community.

15. Faith, Vision, and Growth: Reflections on SHIFT’s Most Impactful Year Yet

This year for SHIFT Enterprise Academy like 2021, 2022, 2023, I gave all I had. I have invested every dime I have into creating a most viable product while making an impact. The SHIFT Effect so far includes SFCs, SHIFT Ventures, SHIFT Launch Pad, our LMS, and a dynamic set of budding partnerships.

I have been challenged as a leader to rise to new occasions. I have been challenged as a creator to find a way when there seemingly is or was no way. I have grown closer to my higher consciousness in knowing that we truly do create our own reality.

Ultimately, SHIFT Enterprise Academy is a work I will always do. I am beyond grateful and almost flabbergasted at how well this work is accepted in Uganda and East Africa as a whole. I am also most thankful to the village that raised me and those partners I am yet to meet. Introduce yourself.

We are looking forward to voyaging into DR Congo and Ethiopia and deeper into Kenya next year. In doing so, we hope to find new ways of reaching not only the most vulnerable communities, but the most ambitious minds. We will continue helping our Enterprisers as get from where they are now to where they want to be in the future using the SHIFT Approach.  

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Ethan J. Brisby

Founder, Chief Visionary Officer

[email protected]