On my Harvard experience: One of the most impactful experiences I had at Harvard was taking a class called "The Making of a Politician" with Professor Steve Jarding. This course fundamentally changed how I engage with people, give speeches, and run campaigns. Before taking the class, I structured my speeches a certain way, but after, I completely shifted my approach. I still use his lessons today, even referencing his notes when preparing speeches. For example, he taught me that if anyone else can give your speech, it’s not personal enough. Every speech I’ve given—hundreds in the last few years—starts with a personal story, just like he taught.
Jarding also emphasized the importance of presence—walking into a room, shaking hands, making eye contact, and building connections with the audience before you even begin speaking. He taught us how to structure a message so that it’s clear and memorable: say it at the beginning, repeat it in the middle, and close with it again. This technique has been invaluable to me, both in speeches and in campaign strategy.
Beyond the classroom, the most valuable part of my Harvard experience has been the global network I’ve built. I’ve traveled to over 20 countries in the last few years, and in almost every one, I’ve reconnected with classmates. This network of people with shared experiences has been a powerful takeaway from my time at Harvard.
On making a difference post-Harvard: One pivotal moment in my career was running for President of Liberia at 44, as the youngest-ever candidate. My focus was on changing the narrative of politics in Liberia, steering away from personality-driven campaigns and focusing on the issues. I gave hundreds of interviews and speeches, consistently emphasizing policy over personality, and it resonated with people.
One moment that stands out was when a young man, around 25, ran up to me during door-to-door campaigning, telling me I was his hero. He was excited and passionate about the policies I was proposing, and it made me realize the positive impact my campaign was having. Another moment was on a airplane, when a woman I met on the flight didn’t initially believe I had run for president, but then she started quoting things I had said on the radio—positive affirmations and messages I had shared.
These experiences showed me that my approach, largely shaped by what I learned at Harvard, particularly in the Art of Persuasion course, was making a difference. Focusing on positive, issue-driven messaging and emotional engagement really resonated with people, and I knew we were on the right track.
On Impact: One concrete result I'm especially proud of is the work of the Moniba Foundation, which I founded. We've provided hundreds of scholarships, donated thousands of dollars to orphanages, hospitals, and schools, and supported women’s organizations through grants. We've also focused on technical and vocational scholarships, making a tangible difference in education and empowerment across Liberia.
Beyond financial support, our foundation has been an advocate for important issues like domestic violence and gender equality. We've run advocacy campaigns, including radio ads promoting positive messages about Liberia, with our tagline "Become the change you want to see in our country." This message has resonated widely, helping to shift the national conversation toward progress and self-empowerment.
In addition, my presidential run at 44—a much younger age than typical candidates in Liberia, who are often in their 60s or 70s—demonstrated to the youth that they can step up and take responsibility for transforming our country. I believe these efforts, both through the foundation and my political involvement, have made an immediate impact on the nation, particularly in inspiring young people and contributing to the development of communities.
On Failure: One key lesson I’ve learned is that a Harvard degree isn’t a golden key that automatically opens all doors. The common perception is that once you have a Harvard degree, opportunities will come easily, but that’s far from reality. Even after Harvard, I had to hustle and work hard, just like before. The takeaway for me was that success still requires persistence and effort, no matter where your degree is from.
On Advice to Current or Prospective African Students: The Harvard degree is just the first step toward transforming your country or the continent. Think of it as an 'access granted' card —it gets you into the game, but it doesn’t guarantee success. You gain legitimacy by having the degree, but now you have to prove yourself. So, while the degree opens doors, the real work begins afterward. The Harvard degree is only the start; it’s what you do next that truly matters.
