Global Cleveland Turns 10 | Crispin Kamucici

Crispin Kamucici, originally from The Democratic Republic of Congo and a volunteer Pastor at Shekinah Apostolic Ministries International, shares his personal stories of appreciation and admiration for Global Cleveland.

I am from The Democratic Republic of Congo. I came to Cleveland in April 2016. I didn’t choose Cleveland, or the U.S., or anywhere. This was not my choice to come here. I was part of a resettlement program of the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the UN Refugee Agency). I started being involved with Global Cleveland through Elizabeth Cusma when she started working there. I think I heard about Global Cleveland, but I didn’t have a lot of interest or understanding at first.

Global Cleveland has been helpful, especially their Global Rising program. Monthly meetings in Global Rising were not only amazing, but they were also enriching. There, we were exposed to different perspectives of economic and social life through the presentations of experienced people, so I learned a lot. For myself and my family, Global Cleveland opened doors and introduced us to other people, mainly connections, connecting us to people or other organizations that can bring more opportunities for us. Through the Global Rising program, I was connected to a mentor, and through that program, I came to learn a lot from people presenting every month. This helped with my personal development, but also, I am trying to connect with organizations that can help me with my ministry, to start a business to grow economically, to create connections to other organizations to be fully integrated into the Cleveland community. I would say that when you have never lived somewhere else but the United States, you don’t realize what you have here. I see many people here who don’t value the opportunities that they have here. I am praying to be jumping on any opportunity to create my American Dream.

There are things I didn’t know about Global Cleveland. In 2019 before I go back to Africa where I had a conference, I learned that Global Cleveland had this program, Sister Cities, outside of the U.S. They connect with other business people outside of the U.S., to see how they can work together to have everyone benefit from this exchange of experiences, which is something I discovered. Let’s say, I came from a city in Africa or another part of the world, If I am connected, I can be a good connection for both cities, Cleveland and the Sister City where I came from, I know both cities. If they know someone there, it can be good for each city. 

I knew Global Cleveland after being in Cleveland for two years or more. Getting connected to other people, other organizations, you don’t feel like you are alone. You feel that if you need anything, you know who to speak to. Even if they don’t have the answer or solution, Global Cleveland can connect you. Cleveland is a multicultural city. In my neighborhood, I live with people from different cultures, different races, different languages. Here is different from the place I come from. Coming from Africa, where almost everyone is related to everyone, you have to have an open spirit to get used to social life here, because if you compare, you can say that this is not what I am used to. I never had problems with neighbors. When we started the church, in 2017, people helped us and came to see us.  People welcomed us in 2016 when we arrived in the United States. I haven’t yet thought about moving away from Cleveland, even though I am not a fan of the snow. I had heard about it, reading about it and seeing it on tv. I am getting used to it.

The first word I would use to describe Global Cleveland is “global” as they are really global. Through this experience, I saw people from every sphere of life and every corner of the world. When I read things, I know that Global Cleveland is growing. I can say “growth” is another word. I think that they are determined and focused on their goals, considering the programs they are initiating every year.  And through the leaders who are teaching us and presenting to us, they pursue excellence, and tenacity in their vision.

In 10 years, I believe Global Cleveland will help me be more impactful through my ministry, and I believe in turn I will be impacting even more people than now. I believe that I also will be fulfilling my vision of raising Kingdom-minded leaders and business owners on the highest level. I believe my family will be fully integrated and living the American Dream because of connections and opportunities from Global Cleveland.