OPTG: Please tell me a bit about yourself. Where were you born? When and why did you move to the US? How would you describe your experience so far in the US?
Paulette: My name is Paulette Mpouma, originally from Cameroon, I arrived 20 years ago with my husband and started a family. So far, my experience in the US is great.
OTPG: What was your first enterprise/business?
Paulette: My first business was selling art crafts to stores and to provide services connecting African sellers to US buyers.
OTPG: How did you conceive the idea of the “Africa Memory Game” and how has it been since you launched the game?
Paulette: The idea of the game came from the fact that I found out as an educator, many young people were asking me questions about Africa, how is it there, do you have houses, streets, schools? When it came to my own children asking me the same questions, I knew something must be done.
OTPG: What year was the game developed?
Paulette: The game developed between 2007-2009, since then we have three majors’ releases and 6500 games sold of the major game: The Africa Memory Game.
OTPG: Will you say the game has made the desired impact you thought it would when you first thought of it?
Paulette: I think the game has a ripple effect, I was thinking it will be a small community affair but it ended up being a solution to a gap of knowledge that our children faced about Africa.
OTPG: Did you experience any negativity or opposition to the idea when you first conceptualized it?
Paulette: Every great idea brings opposition, many was the fact that the American society is divided on the race issue. So, my game was classified by certain individuals as Afrocentric and for them should carry more of the African “values”. I always present the game as a solution to ignorance about Africa whatever race we belong to.
OTPG: What collaborations have helped you since you launched?
Paulette: I was helped by good friends financially for the production. I have partnered also with companies such as The Africa Channel, Kofa intl, and now I am partnering with AfroLand TV for advertisement. I also start an annual event call: Teaching Africa Day, helping inventors, educators and Teachers to learn about all resources available to teach Africa. This year it will be the 30th of September at the Civic Center in Silver Spring.
OTPG: I read you collaborated with Minister Olubanke from Liberia to come up with a game with a leadership theme. Has the game been launched? How has working with her helped you?
Paulette: The Leadership Game was launched in Ghana, DC and we are having another launching in Abidjan Cote D’Ivoire on the 17th of November 2017 hosted by the African Development Bank. Working with Mrs. Olubanke is a privilege for me. I am greatly honored by her trust on me for the Development of her book as a game.
OTPG: Asides from the game, what other ventures are you into?
Paulette: I am still working on the idea of transforming the game to an application. I am opened to work with other institutions. I have partnered on a trivia on Ghana with The African Studies Outreach Center of Howard University.
OTPG: You are a mother of four, how has it been raising your children in the US? Apart from the obvious challenge of having to educate them on their origin that is.
Paulette: This is a question I can return to all mothers, and salute the ones who succeeded before me. By the grace of God only we can do it.
OTPG: If you could solve one problem in the African continent, what would it be and why that problem?
Paulette: Good governance is a major concern for me and could solve many problems. In right decisions making we can solve, health, education, business, and successful elections/leadership.
OTPG: What drives you and why do you do all you do?
Paulette: The Love of education and the fact that knowledge is the first instrument against ignorance.
OTPG: What do you think can be done to change the negative African narrative/perception in the Western world?
Paulette: More inventions and educators selling their products to all audiences. More medias doing more highlights on great things happening in Africa. Less focus on animal life and war. Meeting people who are changing the life of their communities.
OTPG: If you could offer one advice to African youths, what would it be? What are your last words?
Paulette: Everything we have done so far is to bring a global society and social media helps us build this society without barriers of time and borders. This is the time when your brain needs to work more on the new ideas. Do not stop reading good books or educating yourselves because of the internet. Make sure you have a solid education that is the only thing that can survive the times.
OTPG: Do you see yourself moving back to Africa soon?
Paulette: This is the dream of my husband. Every year, I am spending time in Africa and I think it will be a great way to retire.
OTPG: Thank you once again for your time.
Paulette: Thank you for this opportunity.