Communications strategist Autumn Marie is gaining international recognition for her work in Africa’s expanding business landscape. The Black Girls Rock! team member was recently featured in ESSENCE magazine, highlighting her efforts to help brands and organizations tell their stories in Rwanda’s fast-growing market.
The feature places Marie among a group of Black American women entrepreneurs who are building businesses across the African continent. Through her communications expertise and entrepreneurial drive, she has established a reputation for helping companies strengthen their messaging, connect with audiences, and navigate the region’s evolving business environment.
Her work in Rwanda reflects a broader movement of diaspora professionals contributing their skills to emerging markets while building meaningful connections across cultures.
Autumn Marie Builds a Communications Agency in Rwanda
Marie’s journey to entrepreneurship in Rwanda did not begin with a business plan. Instead, it started with a desire for a break from the fast-paced communications industry in New York City. After years working in a demanding media environment, she wanted distance from what she described as the constant “rat race” of American professional life.
Her relocation initially took her to Mauritius with her husband, who had already spent more than a decade living and working on the African continent. Eventually, the couple moved to Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, where a new opportunity unexpectedly emerged.
While settling into life in Rwanda, Marie began noticing gaps in the local communications industry. Drawing on her background in strategic communications, she decided to launch KGL FWD—short for Kigali Forward—a public relations agency focused on storytelling, brand positioning, and communications strategy for businesses operating in Rwanda and across East Africa.
KGL FWD Helps Brands Tell Their Stories Across East Africa
Through KGL FWD, Marie has built a communications firm dedicated to helping organizations strengthen their visibility and narrative. The agency works with companies and institutions seeking to establish a stronger presence in Rwanda’s rapidly growing economy.
Although setting up the company was relatively straightforward, earning credibility in a new market required patience and persistence. Marie explained that building trust was one of the most important parts of the process.
“It means a lot when someone trusts you with their vision or their company anywhere in the world,” she said. “But being able to build that trust here, when you’re not from here, is huge.”
Over time, that trust has allowed her firm to collaborate with several major organizations, including RwandAir, ONOMO Hotel, and Africa Soft Power. Her agency has also supported cultural exchange initiatives such as Nomadness Travel Tribe, which brings travelers from the diaspora to Rwanda.
Recognition from ESSENCE Highlights Diaspora Entrepreneurship
Marie’s work recently gained wider attention after being featured in ESSENCE magazine, a publication known for highlighting the achievements of Black women in business, culture, and leadership.
The article explored how several Black American women are building businesses across Africa while navigating new markets, cultural differences, and evolving economic landscapes. Marie’s story stood out as an example of how diaspora professionals can contribute meaningful skills while learning from local business communities.
The recognition also reflects the growing interest among Black professionals exploring opportunities across the African continent. As Marie’s experience shows, entrepreneurship abroad often requires adaptability, humility, and a willingness to understand new systems and ways of working.
Advice for Black Women Exploring Business Opportunities in Africa
Through her journey, Marie has also become an advocate for thoughtful and respectful engagement with African markets. Rather than replicating American business models, she encourages entrepreneurs to approach the experience with openness and a willingness to learn.
“Don’t try to copy and paste the models that work in the U.S.,” she advised. “Bring your skills and experiences, but be ready to learn the ways of doing business that work here. You’re not coming to solve everything—you’re coming to contribute.”
This mindset has shaped both her professional success and her perspective on diaspora entrepreneurship. For Marie, seeing projects and partnerships come to life in Rwanda has been one of the most rewarding aspects of her work.
As Rwanda continues to grow as a hub for innovation and investment in East Africa, entrepreneurs like Autumn Marie are helping shape the region’s evolving business ecosystem—while building bridges between global talent and local opportunity.