Fiston NdayishimiyeSpeaking
A story that turns rooms
into movements.
For young people who have been told they are lost, and for the adults who believe in them.
Why audiences lean in
I don't speak about resilience from a textbook. I walked it.
- Lived it: Minembwe to Nakivale to Kakuma to Concord
- Lead it: Co-founder and Executive Director, Young Adults Development Network
- Wrote it: Awakening African Leadership, as Fiston Mututsi
My talks connect my own story with African history, the words of great leaders and practical steps young people can take now. I speak warmly and directly, and I leave every audience with a question to carry home: what will you do with the life you were given?
Talks
Talks that
leave a mark.
Every talk can be shaped for your audience and length. Tap a talk to open it.
I want to see young people thinking like leaders.From my interview with NHPR, January 22, 2025
A refugee's journey from the mountains of Minembwe to New Hampshire, and why survival is only the beginning of the story.
Best for students, graduations, youth conferences · Keynote, Virtual
An African word for being fully human, and why character shows most clearly in how we treat people with less power than we have.
Best for schools, leadership programs, professional teams · Keynote, Workshop
African history told by Africans: the griots, the great kingdoms and the independence generation, and what young people inherit from them.
Best for classrooms, heritage months, cultural events · Classroom visit, Keynote
Lessons from organizing with young adults in Concord, including the years of work that brought new lights to Keach Park, and how young organizations grow and last.
Best for youth programs, nonprofits, civic groups · Workshop, Panel
Formats and audiences
Any stage, any size.
Keynotes
Graduations, conferences, heritage months.
Workshops
Hands-on leadership and advocacy sessions.
Panels
Moderated conversations and Q&A.
Classrooms
Visits in person or online.
- Middle schools, high schools and colleges
- Youth programs and leadership academies
- Refugee, immigrant and newcomer communities
- Faith communities
- Nonprofits and community foundations
- Businesses and professional associations
- Book talks (once the book is out)
Where I have spoken
Recent rooms.
New dates are on the way. Join my letter and be first in the room.
- July 2026YDN Annual Washington, D.C. ConferenceWashington, DC · Co-founder and Executive Director
- July 2025YDN Washington, D.C. Leadership and Advocacy ConferenceWashington, DC · Co-founder and Executive Director
- June 2024Project S.T.O.R.Y. Juneteenth community eventMill Brook School, Concord, NH · Volunteer organizer and guest speaker
- Concord Multicultural FestivalKeach Park, Concord, NH · Partner and supporter
Speaking request
Let's bring this
to your stage.
Two minutes to fill in. A reply by email. Fees vary by event, with reduced rates for schools and youth programs (details coming soon).
Event hosts: bios, photos and the book cover are in the media kit.