Biography.
 

Karen Adédiran Nganda is a Senegal‑born creator with Cape Verdean and Yoruba roots, whose work is driven by a deep passion for education, youth empowerment, and the African continent. After spending her first 18 years in Senegal, she pursued her studies between Paris and Chicago, where she explored African‑American studies and developed a strong commitment to social change.

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Holding a Master’s degree in Political Communication and a second Master’s in International Project Management, she dedicated her final thesis to children’s rights, with a particular focus on the situation of “talibé” children in Senegal. Her work has consistently centered on advocating for young people and amplifying their voices.

Karen collaborates actively with the Ozali Foundation, where she serves as the main ambassador for the “education and culture” program. In 2017, she contributed to the launch of Voix des Jeunes Diaspora in Paris, an initiative by Social Change Factory aimed at transforming youth into engaged, thoughtful citizens.

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In 2018, she created Afroconscience, a blog followed by more than 40,000 readers, which she later expanded into a youth‑focused literary project: Les Icônes de Kimia, developed in collaboration with Cameroonian illustrator Félix Fokoua. Through this collection, she champions her guiding principle: “telling Africa differently and celebrating its history.”

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In February 2027, Karen will join an art residency organized by Sjj agency, where she will continue her mission of cultural empowerment through workshops, community engagement, and creative storytelling.