Reflections on Dale Dawson’s Speech at Isomo Commissioning 2025 (ISOMO COHORT 2 | BETA TRIBE)
It was June 21, 2025, and I was sitting in Kigali Convention Centre. I had a chance to attend the Isomo Academy Commissioning as my younger brother’s journey through the program was being crowned; Coming upon the highlight of the day, I was thrilled with a rousing talk from Dale Dawson, Bridge2Rwanda’s founder, that set us all on fire to dream big and act boldly.
Dale Dawson’s journey with Rwanda began 20 years ago when he met President Paul Kagame, a leader he describes as “truly unique” and inspiring. Their friendship led to Dawson joining the Presidential Advisory Council a few years later; it consisted of 15 international friends. Dawson shared how Rwanda studied the Asian Tigers (Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong), nations that rose from poverty in the 1950s to global wealth in just decades; “Those country of asia in the 1950s and 1960s were poor and more desperate than countries in Africa and yet over a period of 40 to 50 years those countries have become sophisticated and wealthy countries in the world and Rwanda was looking to learn on how they did that” Dawson said, “Rwanda’s leaders, wanted to emulate that transformation, building a nation strong in security, healthcare, education, and infrastructure”.
President Kagame asked three things from his global friends. First, expand Rwanda’s global network by being ambassadors, “We need to have people in countries all over the world who know Rwanda, who know our story, who understands our dreams” was his words - President Kagame. “Since then, I’ve told everyone I meet about Rwanda and invited them to visit,” Dawson said. Second, build and invest in institutions such as hospitals, universities, and businesses to accelerate progress; inviting foreigners to participate, to bring their knowledge, their capital, their technology, their friends, their networks and connections to invest in Rwanda to accelerate the advancement of the country. Third, and most crucially, develop a generation of young professionals who can compete globally, building world-class enterprises. This mission birthed Bridge2Rwanda in 2007, a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to these goals.
Dawson’s stories of Bridge2Rwanda’s impact hit home. They’ve built businesses like Urwego Bank, a microfinance leader; Rwanda Trading Company, the largest exporter of Rwandan coffee; and Zamura Feed, a pioneering poultry feed mill. These ventures show how global partnerships can fuel Rwanda’s growth. But what struck me most was Dawson’s focus on youth. He spoke in awe of the generation that freed Rwanda; people who grew up in refugee camps, with no resources, yet had the “audacity and courage” to liberate a nation and as that wasn’t enough they also had to stop a genocide, and design a new country with a bold constitution. “They declared, ‘We’re going to be the Singapore of Africa,’” he said.
That legacy now rests with Isomo Academy’s scholars, like my brother. Dawson challenged them to carry the torch, to become high-capacity professionals who partner with the world to build Rwanda’s future.
When my brother was selected as one of Isomo’s scholars from a pool of competent applicants, I saw his eyes light up with possibility. Isomo Academy, with its focus on critical thinking, leadership, and university preparation, is his chance to compete and secure a college and later contribute to Rwanda development. At the commissioning, as he stood on stage, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of pride and responsibility. As his older Brother, I’ve always wanted to pave the way, but now he’s forging his own path.
“It was as if Jesus leaned down and said, ‘I’ve prepared you for 50 years to help this man,’” Dawson recalled of his calling to support President Kagame. That sense of purpose mirrored what I felt watching my brother prepared for this moment, ready to shine.
I’d love to hear from you: What’s a moment that inspired you to dream bigger? Share in the comments below! Rwanda’s future lies in young hearts who dare to act. Let’s build that future together.