Celebrating My Graduation by Lifting 30 Young Voices

My name is Bangaly Diakite, and this May, I’m graduating with my Master of Public Administration from James Madison University. For me, this milestone is more than a personal achievement—it’s a full-circle moment.

I was once a young dreamer, a student who was given a rare opportunity to find my voice through the Dreamers Academy, a week-long summer camp that uses debate, mentorship, and community to transform young lives. That experience shaped everything I’ve become.

Now, as I graduate, I want to give that same opportunity to 30 young people in Rwanda.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Dreamers Academy. In honor of both this milestone and my graduation from JMU, I’m launching this $3,000 fundraiser to send 30 students to this life-changing program. Your contribution will directly support travel, meals, housing, training materials, and access to the same mentorship that changed my life.

🎓 Instead of gifts for me, I’m asking you to invest in the future—in the next 30 Dreamers.

Whether you give $10 or $100, you’re helping a student believe in their potential. And I can't think of a better way to celebrate this chapter of my journey than by giving others the same start I once received.

Thank you for celebrating with me—and for believing in what’s possible when we invest in young voices.