Derreck Kayongo . Former CEO of The Center for Civil and Human Rights Museum . Founder of the Global Soap Project . The Mavericks . Dior Men
Scott Reeves Photography
"I feel an extraordinary sense of responsibility as an " immigrant" to reinforce the idea that immigrants are here not to use the resource but contribute to building up and add to the success of this country. "
Derreck Kayongo
Former CEO of The Center for Civil and Human Rights Museum . Founder of the Global Soap Project . The Mavericks . Dior Men . Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy . Tufts University
Who are your biggest influencers and mentors personally & professionally and why? Personally, my mom and dad were my biggest influencers and mentors. That's usually the first thing that everyone says when they are asked the question "who do you look up to" or "who influenced you," but for me my reasoning is different. My parents were my biggest influencers because not only did they shape me into who I am today, but because they worked very hard and transformed their lives from being teachers to entrepreneurs and did very well. I was fortunate to have two self-made entrepreneurs as my parents.
Scott Reeves Photography
President Jimmy Carter was my professional influence. I learned a lot about being a leader from studying his presidency and leadership style. Jimmy Carter, like many people, struggled, but as a president and great leader, he never took that as a nail in the coffin. President Jimmy Carter was significant for many reasons, but he stands out to me for one reason he leads the international campaign to eradicate the Guinea worm disease. He also introduced the idea of monitoring the election process to help make democracy globally fair accessible and received a Nobel Peace Prize. In his story, I see resilience and I see someone who doesn't take no for an answer and someone who looks at failure as a stepping stone to success.
Scott Reeves Photography
What fuels your drive? I think being an immigrant in today's society, where we are questioned about our contribution to our country is what fuels my drive. There is a lot of misunderstanding when it comes to immigrants in America, and there is so much irony in that statement because immigrants-built America. I feel an extraordinary sense of responsibility as an " immigrant" to reinforce the idea that immigrants are here not to use the resource but contribute to building up and add to the success of this country. So, I can't take my privilege for granted. It's a privilege to be in this country, and I need to use this privilege positively.
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What type of digital magazine or periodicals do you enjoy? I enjoy reading magazines for the most part. The one that is most important and a part of my daily routine is the is the Economist. It covers a range of business, cultural, economic issues that help me understand the state of the world a little bit better.
What are the lessons you've gained that have profoundly shifted your direction in business? If you're going to do business, you have to know that the marketplace needs a specific set of skills. Those skill sets must be incredibly practiced and tested so that you can meet the challenge of the work at hand. If you're not equipped, chances are, it will catch up to you down the road, and you will fail. If you fail at something, then you learn. This type of growth and development opens business opportunities based on refinement, specialization, and capitalization.
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Favorite spots to frequent for business connections in Atlanta/Nationally and why? I enjoy basketball because it is always a great way to break the ice in a business conversation because everyone including business people watch basketball. I am a huge fan of the Hawks. I also enjoy polo because it is a selective sport. When most people think of an elite game, they think of golf, but polo is the social playground for the elite.
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Apple or Samsung why? In this day and age, it's hard not to be an apple user because their genius marketing strategies make you feel left out if you don't own apple products, but I am a Samsung user. Apple users will never admit this, but Samsung has a better camera. I enjoy taking a lot of pictures when I travel or when I have speaking engagements. If you've ever seen my Instagram @derreckKayongo, most of my photos are taken with a Samsung. I would love to debate this with anyone on Twitter; if you're brave, enough my twitter is @derreckKayongo. Lol.
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What do you do for fun? For fun, I enjoy Latin American dancing. I love salsa and merengue because they are the closest thing to African dancing. Dancing is my form of exercise because I don't like the gym at all! It's safe to say the only way I exercise is through dancing.
What legacy do you want to leave behind? I think it's important for people to see an African leader who has done a lot to build businesses without being corrupt. A leader that exhibits positive values and exercises moral behavior and restraint, from a position of power, is something that Africa needs desperately. It is important to me to leave behind the image of an African leader as a role model that handled power without corruption.
Interviewed by: Maryan Aiken. Publisher. Founder. CEO. CityBox Media . Listening to Spotify . Rihanna Good Girl Gone Bad.
The Dior Men are the trail blazers, the movers and shakers. It's the perfect blend of entrepreneurs, business owners, and business professionals throughout Atlanta known for their business engagements, sense of style, community & philanthropic activities.
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