Clementine M. Msengi Founder and Executive Director, Bright Move Network Waterloo/Cedar Falls, Iowa

Clementine M. Msengi first arrived in the United States in 1995 as a refugee from Rwanda. After completion of an intensive English course, Ms. Msengi enrolled at the University of Northern Iowa. In three years, she earned her undergraduate degree in Health Promotion and received the "Purple and Old Gold Award," an award given to the department's graduating senior with the highest grade point average. Ms. Msengi continued her education at the University of Northern Iowa where she earned her graduate degree in Community Health.

Ms. Msengi founded Bright Move Network in 2003, which is a community organization that provides education and referral services to refugees and immigrants in Waterloo/Cedar Falls, IA. Bright Move Network is also working to ensure that these new community members have the skills, resources, and capacity needed to fully contribute civically and economically to their communities.

"I really hope that someday immigrants and local residents will get to know each other very well. So much of the prejudice and cultural misconceptions will disappear and we can all work together to grow our communities and make them better for the future generations."

-Clementine M. Msengi