Dear Akilah and Davis College graduates,
Before I say this anywhere else, I wanted you to hear it from me:
After 4.5 years away, I’m returning as Executive Director of Akilah.
When I stepped back over four years ago, it wasn’t because I stopped loving this work—or believing in you. My family needed my full attention. After nearly 15 years of nonstop building, fundraising, and traveling, my body and spirit made one thing clear: it was time to pause. I’ve shared more about the personal reasons for my Power Pause here.
At the same time, big changes were shaking the ground under Akilah. New higher education regulations in Rwanda required universities to own their campuses. We had always rented. That shift made it impossible to remain on our beloved campus, and in 2024 we closed it and paused our accredited programs.
It was heartbreaking—like saying goodbye to a home we had poured our lives into. I know many of you felt that loss deeply too.
So when people ask, “What happened?” the truthful answer is layered:
The regulations changed.
The campus closed in 2024.
Our accredited programs paused.
And I entered a season of deep listening—for my family, for myself, and for Akilah.
I often describe these years as a “wintering” season. Not a disappearance. Not a defeat. A pause we didn’t choose—and one we’re using with care.
We kept a small team available to support alumni with transcripts, recommendations, diploma documentation, and any official letters connected to your studies. If you need help, please contact Anastasie at kakuzeanastasie@daviscollege.com or 0788316651.
In this quiet season, one thing stayed very alive for me: you.
Even from afar, I’ve followed your journeys with so much pride—new roles, new cities, businesses launched, families growing, brave decisions made. Every glimpse reminds me: this is what we were building for. This is Akilah walking around the world in human form.
Now, as I step back into this role, I feel genuinely energized to rebuild with intention.
What hasn’t changed is our commitment: we are still here to educate and accompany wise, grounded leaders in Rwanda and across East Africa—and to stay connected to you, our alumni community, as our living legacy.
A homecoming at Akilah Villa — Monday, Feb 16 (5–9pm)
I’ll be in Kigali soon with my 13-year-old daughter, Lorraine—many of you have met her over the years, back when she was little and always nearby.
And I’d love to mark this return in the simplest way: by seeing you.
Please join us at a reception at Akilah Villa, #15 KG423 Street, on Monday, February 16 from 5–9pm—an easy, open-house style evening with food, drinks, music, and lots of catching up. Come for ten minutes or stay the whole time.
Mostly, I want to hear how you’re doing. What you’ve become. What you’re building now. And I’d love to share a little of what’s coming next for Akilah—where we’re headed, and how you can be part of it.
Tickets are 10,000 RWF.
To RSVP, please contact Anastasie at 0788316651.
A note on the Davis College name
Because of the campus closure and program pause, we’re making a simple decision: we’re retiring the Davis College name and returning to our roots as Akilah. Over the coming months, you’ll see the Davis College brand phased out and replaced with refreshed Akilah branding.
To be clear: this does not affect your diploma or qualifications in any way. It’s purely a branding change.
A clear update on programs — and why
We are not planning to add bachelor’s degrees, and we are not planning to relaunch accredited diplomas or degrees.
Not because we don’t believe in higher education—but because Rwanda’s higher education landscape has changed, beautifully.
When we opened Akilah in 2010, there were very few strong options—especially for young women seeking practical, employment-connected education. We helped fill a real gap.
But Rwanda has evolved. Today, there are many excellent institutions offering accredited diplomas and degrees, and they are doing it well. We’re proud of how the sector has grown—and proud that Akilah contributed by raising expectations and proving what was possible.
So rather than competing in that space, we’re choosing to put our energy where it’s needed now: learning and community that support your leadership, inner life, relationships, steadiness, creativity, and long-term growth.
That’s why our focus going forward is on expanding offerings for alumni and new students through salons, workshops, retreats, and learning experiences that are grounded, relevant, and genuinely transformative. We can’t wait to share more—there are some beautiful opportunities ahead for you to learn and grow together.
A new venture is beginning
Alongside Akilah, something new is also being born—another bold and ambitious Rwanda-rooted project in its early, creative startup phase.
We’re not ready to share full details publicly yet, but I can tell you this: it’s playful, innovative, and designed for the next generation. (If you love ideas like wonder, play based learning learning, and childhood development—keep an eye on this space.)
After being gone the last few years, I’m honestly thrilled to be back in startup mode. The early phase—imagining, prototyping, building from scratch—has always been my favorite part of the creative process.
And I would love to include alumni in this journey. We’ll be hiring for several positions this year—across Akilah and this new venture.
What’s happening now
1) Alumni gatherings are coming
In the months ahead, we’ll host a series of salons and dinners—warm, simple gatherings centered on leadership, career growth, and the relationships that sustain us. Tickets are 10,000 RWF (MoMo: 0784 714 547 — Anastasie Kakuze).
February 28— Purpose & Possibility Circle
March 28— From Stress to Steadiness Talk
May 30- Legacy & Impact Dialogue
2) We’re hiring (starting with Marketing Manager)
We’d love to hire from within the alumni community. The first opening is
Marketing Manager. Please share with your fellow graduates who are passionate about communications.
3) Stay close for updates
My Instagram
Follow Akilah on Instagram
Subscribe to our Substack
RSVP + alumni support contact
For transcripts, recommendations, official letters, or to RSVP for Feb 16, please contact:
Anastasia Kakuze
Email: kakuzeanastasie@daviscollege.com
Phone/WhatsApp: 0788316651
More than anything, I want to hear from you. Send me an update at elizabeth@akilahinstitute.org—even just a few lines. Where are you living these days? What are you working on? What are you proud of right now? How can the Akilah community support your journey?
I read every message, and I genuinely love them. Staying connected to you matters—and it will shape how we build what comes next.
With love,
Elizabeth
Executive Director and Co-Founder
