COATD 2024 Kickoff Meeting & Authentic Resilience: Inspiring Lessons from a Rwandan Genocide Survivor

COATD 2024 Kickoff  & Authentic Resilience: Inspiring Lessons from a Rwandan Genocide Survivor with Clementine Bihiga

Join us as we inaugurate our incoming board members! Additionally, we will be uplifted and inspired by Clementine Bihiga, as she shares her story of how she was able to turn her negative surroundings into a positive and motivating movement.

Continental Breakfast will be provided!

About Clementin Bihiga:

Clementine Bihiga was only 8 years old when her family escaped from war-torn Rwanda. As her mother and youngest siblings piled into a car, she and her brothers had to walk beside the packed vehicle while bombs exploded beside them, and bullets shot past their heads. She spent the next 5 years in refugee camps and settlements. Clementine had to grow up quickly and become an adult-like 8-year-old. It is no surprise that at the age of 33, she has accomplished more than many at her age.  In 1999, her and her family were admitted to the USA where Clementine faced challenges of a different sort. Because of her past, many saw her as “different” and was bullied in high school. Where others would have quit and been scared away, she instead used it as motivation. While in college, she started AFRIKA Club and held positions in several leadership organizations. She interned at the New York State Attorney General’s office, began her speaking journey and was able to travel the nation including doing work with the United Nations as an Agent of Change. Later in life, Clementine once again encountered tragedy when she lost her daughter. Turning pain into purpose, she founded the Clarette Refugee fund which provides education to youth refugees. Clementine has always used her past experiences as motivation and inspiration to keep her going through difficult times. Although she has lived through horrific events, she is resilient, charming, and features an addicting personality.