Jared Angaza is a lifelong social entrepreneur and philanthropist with a passion for Africa and the philosophy of ubuntu. In 2006 he moved to Rwanda, where he began a women’s empowerment aid agency called Sisters of Rwanda.

In 2008 he was seeking out a business partner; someone he could trust that would have the same passion he does for Africa and philanthropy. As it turns out, there was a girl named Ilea Dorsey that had been working in Kampala and Gulu, Uganda from 2006 to 2008. She was precisely the candidate he was looking for; young, two years experience working in East Africa, experience working with women and children, passionate, driven and with a desire to make Africa her home.

After just a short time of working together, Jared and Ilea realized there was something much deeper than their working relationship. It seems as though they were created to (in the famous words of Jerry McGuire) complete each other. Together they built KEZA, an ethical fashion label, and now Angaza philanthropy consulting (and a few other ventures coming along in the near future).

Jared and Ilea lived in Rwanda for two years (a total of four years in Rwanda for Jared), then spent a year back in the US, floating from Los Angeles to New York City to Nashville to establish the business foundation for KEZA.

Jared and Ilea moved to Mombasa, Kenya on April 28th, 2011. They live on the beach with their adopted Rwandan son, Francois. They have no plans of leaving Mombasa.

Below is a little information about the Angazas and their work around the world.

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JARED ANGAZA

I’m a believer in the intrinsic goodness of mankind. I dream big and shoot for the stars. I was raised to believe that we’re all created equal and altruism is among the most important of character traits. I also come from a family of driven social entrepreneurs. So I suppose I was born to be a social entrepreneur.

I earned my business development wings as a partner in a private equity firm. I learned the ropes of the entertainment industry by managing bands and booking shows. Once I began working with non-profits and social ventures I started to really find fulfillment in my work.

I spent the bulk of my 20s running my own businesses and volunteering for a number of aid agencies, primarily focused on Africa. I volunteered with ONE, Save Darfur, Keep A Child Alive, The American Indian Movement (AIM) and scores of others. I learned the pros and cons of the non-profit world and dedicated myself to creating systemic change. Most of all, I learned the importance of truly listening to those I served.

In March 2006 I moved to Rwanda, Africa to help my friend Tom Ritchey set up a development organization called Project Rwanda. In 2007 I began a program to rehabilitate and provide work for former prostitutes. In 2008, my wife and I founded an ethical fashion label called KEZA where we leverage the fashion industry to transform the image and expectations of developing nations.

During my time in East Africa I was exposed to a lot of amazing organizations and individuals. I’ve been soaking up their experiences and wisdom ever since. Now I spend my time running KEZA and consulting on issues such as philanthropy, business development, social enterprise, fashion and branding.

I have lectured on these issues at institutions such as Belmont University, Fisk University, Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University, Rhode Island School of Design and Bradley University.

I believe in the African philosophy of ubuntu; that we were created to be interconnected and equal. I believe “it is the nature of man to rise to greatness when greatness is expected of him”, and that is the philosophy I employ in the developing world.

I am also a member of Eve Ensler’s V Men program; a collection of men that have come together to redefine masculinity and to stand up against gender based violence. I am also a regular participant and contributor in the Profitable Idealism project and blogger on Social Earth.

*Jared grew up as Jared Miller. However, when he and his wife, Ilea wed in May of 2010, they took the Swahili surname “Angaza”, meaning “to bring light”. They now live happily in Kenya as the Angazas.

MEDIA

Jared & Ilea on “Connie & Sheila Talk” | Living With No Electricity BUT Lots of Energy

Jared’s Personal Story | Thank God For Failure from The Life Christian Church on Vimeo.

Podcast Interview with best selling author, Dan Miller | Intro to Social Entrepreneurialism

Podcast Interview with best selling author, Dan Miller | Social Entrepreneurship

Podcast Interview with Life Coach and Storywriter, Justin Lukasavige | Business in the Developing World

Podcast Interview with Johnny B. Truant of Profitable Idealism | Case Study on Jared Angaza

PRESS

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ILEA ANGAZA

I am a San Diego, CA native, but have lived and worked primarily in East Africa for the last five years. This life-changing journey started in 2006 when I moved to Uganda to work for Restore International after a short stint of volunteering with them in San Diego. When the opportunity to open Restore’s field office was offered to me, I knew it was time for me to pack my bags and set out for adventure, no matter how under qualified I felt at the time. The mission given to me by Restore’s founder, Bob Goff, was: “Just go. Meet people and find out what is going on in Uganda and how we can help.”

So I packed my bags and left one month later. Over the following two years I developed relationships with Uganda’s High Court judges, organized the Gulu Intensive Civil Court Sessions, built two schools, developed a home for child prostitutes, facilitated a water and sanitation project in an IDP camp with Charity:Water, organized a Forum on Human Rights, managed a slew of interns, and hosted donors from the US.

I find myself constantly having to reconcile a tendency towards idealism and a pull towards staying grounded. I am a lover of people; driven by a deep conviction and strong belief in the potential of humanity. I am passionate about getting to the core of who people are. Like Jared, I too believe “it is the nature of a man to rise to greatness when greatness is expected” (John Steinbeck)

I believe that empowering people can transform not only the empowered person, but also her family (both immediate and extended), her community and eventually…her country.  I hold onto a deep conviction that, an individual, once empowered, can instigate a ripple effect around them that spreads far beyond what we could hope or imagine.

My heart breaks when people are abused and oppressed, yet at the same time I know that a breaking heart will not solve the problem. Only being able to see past the problem and look into the potential of people will ultimately lead to the hope and determination that transforms bad situations into opportunities for growth and life.

I do not claim to have the ever elusive “answer to development”. However, though traditional aid is vital in some situations, I wholly believe that empowering people (individuals and communities) to develop the potential within them, to work for a living, to thrive through sustainable business ventures, to provide for their families and to have a deep sense of dignity in who they are, is what will ultimately conquer the injustices that exist in our world.

In 2008 I joined Jared in Rwanda and have served as the Chief Operations Officer and now the Director of Artisan Operations for KEZA.  My focus in this role is to lead the artisans we work with to develop their own businesses, provide for their families, encourage personal growth, and expand the impact they have on their communities.  I am the Logistics Coordinator for Angaza Consulting and am currently studying Massage Therapy and other holistic therapy practices. These 3 roles combine my love of service and my desire to see people reach their full potential.

*Ilea was born and raised in San Diego, CA. She attended the University of San Diego, where she received her Bachelor’s in Business Administration and competed on USD’s NCAA Division 1 Swimming Team for four years.