Mariama Cire Keita

The Leading Voice and Advocate for Africa

With a bucket full of hands-on experience in the communication realm, and having 'strategically' planned her future, Mariama Cire Keita has become a distinguished leading voice for Africans. Thus has earned the right to pop her collar. 

There are people who dream about working for the United Nations. And then there is Keita, the Guinean-American  beauty and brain, who never dreamt of or imagined herself working for the UN, but because of her immense will to bring about change for Africans, has carved a path to facilitate the journey for others marching behind her.   

Prior to receiving a Bachelor's degree in Communication (from the University of Maryland at College Park) and Masters of Science degree in Global Affairs --from New York University (NYU)-- and being appointed as a communications strategist for USAID Africa Bureau Office of Sustainable Development, she was dipping her toes in multiple waters to test which best soothed her. 

During the early stages of her career, Keita turned a multitude of internship experiences that include working as a production assistant for Black Entertainment Television (BET), Radio Broadcast Assistant for WPGC 95.5FM and University of Maryland Public Relations department into her first job opportunity out of college working for BET on-air talent.

"These experiences coupled with my extensive travels abroad shaped my ability to wear many hats and incorporate innovative ideas into the development space as a leading voice and advocate for Africa.

Gabriel Adeyemo, Public Health advocate and HIV/AIDS campaigner based in Nigeria, said that he admires Keita's "passion to assisting other African leaders to realize and achieving their dreams wherever they are based."

He added, "distance is not a barrier to her communication network; despite her program and work schedules, Mariama shall always find time to assist you."

Keita is also the founder of HOIMA, How I Make A Difference, "a leadership initiative that empowers and prepares young African women for competitive internship and fellowship programs." 

Being the leader she is, Keita's future is already planned. She created a vision board to zero-in on the things she would like to do within five years: become a TV pundit that positively highlights the economic development of Africa and serve as a Senior Advisor to a Head of State.

She's got her power suit on. As a living example, Keita is willing, without hesitance, to do whatever it takes to help others realize that they, too, can wear a power suit if they work hard.

A Glimpse of Keita's World

"Guinea suffers from a lack of national identity and its citizens need to demand the change it needs. There needs to be a grass roots movement that pushes out those from the top."-Keita 

At the White House
Keita was the first ever student in her NYU graduate program to land a White House internship under the President Obama Administration, in 2011



Keita's trip to Guinea in 2012

"When you invest in a woman, it's a ripple effect."-Keita

Public Speaking at New York University

Keita's vibrant smile 

(L-R) Fab5Freedy, Hip-hop pioneer, Keita at the screening of "Mother of George," an event which she organized for Women's History month 2014, at the United Nations

"I ended up in the UN by creating my own opportunity."-Keita

    Ways to reach Keita:

    Twitter:@mariamakeita

   Instagram: madamkeita

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HOwIMakeADifference