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Business Insider
2 days ago
- General
- Business Insider
Shaping futures foundation: How Cordell Robinson is laying the groundwork for Africa's next generation
It began, as Robinson tells it, over a simple dinner with a friend. She encouraged him to explore Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam, suggesting he might find meaningful ways to give back. He took her advice, and what began as a short trip turned into the foundation for something far more enduring. Today, Shaping Futures Foundation, the nonprofit organization Robinson founded, is taking root in East Africa with the bold aim of preparing youth not just to survive but thrive. 'I went to orphanages. I met with council members. But most importantly, I talked to the kids,' Robinson says. 'I wanted to hear directly from them on what they needed, what they hoped for. That's what shaped the mission.' That mission is simple in concept, ambitious in scale: provide holistic, globally oriented education and life skills to under-resourced children and communities, starting in Tanzania, then expanding across the African continent. The vision? A state-of-the-art boarding school that integrates STEM education, agriculture, vocational training, and financial literacy, designed to instill lifelong learning and practical self-sufficiency. But building something that ambitious takes time and money. So Robinson, ever pragmatic, started where he could: a small orphanage currently home to three children. 'We're small right now,' he says, 'but those kids go to school during the day and come back to exercises and learning in the evening. We're giving them a foundation, not just academically, but emotionally and mentally, to know their worth and imagine their future.' At the heart of Shaping Futures is a radical departure from rote academics. Robinson wants to prepare students for the real world. The future school's curriculum will go far beyond books: plumbing, electrical work, road construction, culinary arts, welding, and home economics will all be core components. Students will also learn how money works, how to launch businesses, and how to engage in a global economy. Robinson further explains, 'It's about creating options. If they want to go to university, great. But if they want to go straight into the workforce or launch something of their own, they'll have the tools. They'll have the confidence.' Crucially, Robinson also sees global exposure as essential to developing tomorrow's leaders. His long-term plan includes international exchanges and travel, ensuring students are academically trained and culturally equipped. 'You can't fully understand this world if you've never seen outside your own community,' he says. 'Exposure changes everything.' For Robinson, Africa isn't just a region of need. It's a region of potential. With economies in Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Egypt, and beyond on the rise, Robinson believes the continent is set to become the world's next economic hub. But it must be prepared. That's where the nonprofit and Robinson's for-profit business intersect. As the founder and CEO of Brownstone Consulting Firm (BCF), a cybersecurity and program support services company, Robinson is also actively expanding into African markets. His goal: support local businesses, governments, and institutions in integrating cybersecurity best practices at the ground level. He says, 'We're seeing rapid tech growth, but without the right protections, all that progress is vulnerable. By integrating cybersecurity early in the development of systems, we avoid the costly and dangerous mistakes that come from tacking it on later.' In regions where digital infrastructure is still maturing, Robinson believes proactive cybersecurity combined with workforce training will be a key driver of this competitiveness. Though the structures differ, both Shaping Futures Foundation and BCF are extensions of the same belief: education, economic opportunity, and cybersecurity are pillars of sustainable development. While the Foundation builds from the ground up, nurturing children and training them for real-world impact, BCF enters from the top down, partnering with private companies and government entities to implement scalable cybersecurity and compliance solutions. 'We're building the human capital pipeline through the Foundation,' Robinson says. 'And through BCF, we're making sure the companies these young people will eventually work for or start themselves are secure, trusted, and globally competitive.' While the vision is large, the invitation is simple. Robinson encourages individuals, corporations, and philanthropists alike to support the Foundation's work, whether through donations, volunteering, or site visits. 'We have a partner, Catherine Naigisa of Ncamo Safari Adventures, on the ground in Tanzania who runs safaris,' he says. 'If someone wants to visit the orphanage, volunteer, or bring supplies, they can. Combine it with a once-in-a-lifetime trip through the Serengeti. It's about connection.' Future fundraising campaigns are in development, and the Foundation's website is set up for direct donations. 'Every bit helps. Whether it's books, food, time, or dollars, it's all part of the bigger picture,' the founder says. Robinson's work in Africa, both nonprofit and for-profit, reflects a broader philosophy: real economic transformation begins with people, especially youth. He says, 'When you invest in kids, you invest in generations. When you secure a business's data, you secure its future. When you give a child the tools to think critically, to build, to pivot, they can do anything. And when enough kids do that, entire nations change.' Africa may indeed be the next epicenter of global commerce. But for Robinson, it's not about racing to the top; it's about raising others up along the way. --
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Clan's American cousins help save historic Borders church
A call to help save a historic church from property developers has been answered by American descendants of a family with centuries-old links to the Borders. Ruberslaw Parish Church at Bedrule - between Hawick and Jedburgh - is one of dozens of churches being closed and sold off across the region due to low congregations. The community launched a fundraiser at the start of the year to meet the £35,000 asking price - and about half the money has come from the US-based Clan Turnbull. Many of the clan's ancestors were buried at the churchyard. Charlotte Maberly is among the local people heading up fundraising efforts at Bedrule Church Future (BCF). She said: "Americans are much more familiar with fundraising than us Brits are. "For them, their sense of heritage is much stronger than people who are here." The current Bedrule church dates back to 1804, but many of the gravestones in the surrounding graveyard are from several centuries earlier. And many of the headstones are memorials to members of the Turnbull family who originated in the area. Throughout the 15th and 16th Centuries, the Border Reiver families controlled lands on either side of what had become a lawless Anglo-Scottish border. Across the middle march, which now takes up most of the central and eastern Scottish Borders, the Turnbulls emerged as one of the most renowned and feared clans. With reducing congregations across the country, the Church of Scotland has been scaling back its places of worship over the past decade or so. Ruberslaw Parish Kirk and neighbouring churches in Minto and Southdean are all being "disposed of" this year. Churchgoers and the wider community at Bedrule were informed in November of the decision, leading to the formation of a fundraising group. Charlotte added: "Pubs have been closing, other communal spaces have been closing, and with all these different churches closing, we need to rethink how we create community cohesion rurally." Many former churches have already been turned into private dwellings - and there were fears that, if the asking price could not be raised, a property developer would snap up the listed building. However, with just days to go before the closing date, BCF, which has preferred bidder status, reached its target - with a big debt to the US-based organisation. The clan describes the church as a "historic Turnbull landmark with a breath-taking view across the Rulewater Valley to Ruberslaw mountain". "The kirkyard, which holds the Turnbull cairn, is the final resting place of many of our ancestors," it added. "The sanctuary of the church is a holy place where the power of the faith of our fathers is tangible." With the funding in place, meetings will now take place in the coming weeks and months to forge a plan for the building's future in a tiny village with just a couple of hundreds residents. Alan Bailey, who is also a trustee of BCF, said they would have to come up with an innovative use for the building. "We don't have footfall around here," he said. "If you are a church in a town, you can become a café, a gym, a kids club. "So we are going to have to be imaginative." Archaeologists study valley's day of destruction
Barnama
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Barnama
SMC Makes Malaysia Book Of Records With 18.3m Melanau Swing
SIBU, July 13 (Bernama) -- The Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) has earned a place in the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) with the itut, an 18.3-metre traditional Melanau swing, built as a highlight of this year's Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF). Erected at Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang Phase 1 by members of the Persatuan Kebajikan Melanau Kampung Nangka, the ride attracted a total of 2,288 visitors, exceeding the initial target of 2,000, thanks to the favourable weather throughout the 10-day festival, which began on July 3. SMC chairman Clarence Ting Ing Horh received the MBOR certificate from its representative, Edwin Yeoh, during the closing ceremony of the 21st edition of BCF last night, officiated by Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian. Dr Sim said BCF 2025 had successfully showcased the rich diversity of Borneo's culture, music and ethnic traditions through a variety of performances, community-driven activities and cultural exhibitions. 'Over the past 10 days, the public has had the opportunity to witness the creativity and traditions of diverse communities, which also helped strengthen unity and reinforce the Bornean identity,' he said in his speech read by the State Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee. He extended his appreciation to the individuals, government agencies, cultural practitioners, traders, and enforcement officers involved for their commitment in ensuring the smooth running of this year's festival. Dr Sim noted that events like the festival not only serve as entertainment platforms but also play a crucial role in strengthening social bonds, promoting tourism and enhancing public well-being. 'These are key elements in building resilient, cohesive, and culturally-rooted communities,' he added. He congratulated SMC and its co-organisers on what he called one of the most successful editions of BCF, expressing hope that the spirit of unity and cultural appreciation shown throughout will continue to thrive in the community.
The Sun
13-07-2025
- The Sun
Sibu sets Malaysia record with 18.3m Melanau swing at cultural fest
SIBU: The Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) has secured a spot in the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) with its towering 18.3-metre Melanau swing, known as the itut. Built as the centrepiece of this year's Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF), the swing became a major attraction, drawing 2,288 visitors, surpassing the initial target of 2,000. The swing was constructed by members of the Persatuan Kebajikan Melanau Kampung Nangka at Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang Phase 1. Favorable weather throughout the 10-day festival, which ran from July 3, contributed to the high turnout. During the closing ceremony of the 21st BCF, SMC chairman Clarence Ting Ing Horh received the MBOR certificate from Edwin Yeoh, a representative of the record-keeping body. The event was officiated by Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian. Dr Sim praised the festival for successfully highlighting Borneo's cultural diversity through performances, exhibitions, and community activities. 'Over the past 10 days, the public has had the opportunity to witness the creativity and traditions of diverse communities, which also helped strengthen unity and reinforce the Bornean identity,' he said in a speech read by State Deputy Minister Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee. He commended organisers, government agencies, and participants for ensuring the festival's smooth execution. Dr Sim emphasised that such events go beyond entertainment, playing a vital role in fostering social cohesion, boosting tourism, and enhancing community well-being. The festival featured over 30 ethnic groups, with activities ranging from musical performances to traditional food bazaars. Dr Sim expressed hope that the unity and cultural appreciation displayed during BCF 2025 would continue to flourish. - Bernama
Borneo Post
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
SMC enters Malaysia Book of Records with iconic ‘itut' at BCF 2025
Yeoh (fifth left) hands over the MBOR certificate to Ting, witnessed by Tiang (sixth left), while Kampung Nangka Melanau Welfare Association chairman Councillor, Abang Carrol Abang Dris, who is also the itut organising chairman (right), Chieng (third left), Ling (fourth left), (from second right) Joshua, Hii, Lau and others look on. – Photo by Peter Boon SIBU (July 12): The Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) has made it into the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) for the highest number of visitors swinging on the 50-foot 'itut' – a traditional Melanau swing – set up at Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang Phase 1 during this year's Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF). A total of 2,288 people took part, surpassing the original target of 2,000. MBOR representative Edwin Yeoh presented the certificate to SMC chairman Clarence Ting during the BCF closing ceremony tonight, witnessed by Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Michael Tiang. In a speech read by Tiang, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said festivals like BCF not only entertain but foster social cohesion, tourism, and public well-being. 'They build social cohesion, attract tourism, and promote public well-being by fostering pride in our identity and locality. 'These are elements critical to the fabric of strong, resilient communities, something we prioritize in our public health and development agendas,' he said. Dr Sim also commended the dedication of attendees, performers, vendors, and enforcement personnel who ensured the success and safety of the event. 'Your engagement keeps the spirit of BCF alive and relevant in every passing year. 'As we close this year's edition, I encourage everyone to carry forward the goodwill, knowledge, and appreciation gained. Let 'The Rhythm of Borneo' guide us in building inclusive communities where culture continues to thrive,' he said. Earlier, BCF organising chairman and SMC deputy chairman Mohammed Abdullah Izkandar Roseley said this year's edition stood out for its unity and renewed spirit. 'We saw new talents take to the stage with confidence, alongside cultural groups who have long championed the preservation of ancestral heritage. 'We tasted the richness of cuisines from various communities, admired crafts that blended tradition and innovation, and appreciated diversity with open hearts. 'This is the true beauty of the festival,' he said. The evening featured traditional dance performances and a prize presentation for the Food Premises Toilet Cleanliness Competition. Also present at the event were Sibu MP Oscar Ling, Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng, Senator Robert Lau, Deputy State Secretary (operation) Datu Hii Chang Kee, Sibu Resident Abang Mohamad Porkan Abang Budiman, Political Secretary to Premier Joshua Ting, BCF deputy organising chairlady Cr Michelle Law, and acting Consul-General of the Republic of Indonesia in Kuching, Musa Derek Sairwona.
