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Client Spotlight: SLEN

Since our launch, we have worked with some of the most dynamic individuals and organizations in our community. Over the next few months, you’ll notice spotlights of them on our website, newsletter and social media platforms! Our second spotlight is The Sierra Leonean Empowerment Network (SLEN).

SLEN was launched with the vision of creating and maintaining a sustainable professional networking platform that will benefit Sierra Leoneans from all walks of life.  The organization first launched in 2013, and now has about 400 SLEN Professionals, 50 Career Mentors and 12 Professional mixers.

Co-founders: Janice Williams, Desmond Ellis and Shefumi Lenton Davies

Website: www.slen.org

Socia Media: www.facebook.com/slenetwork; Twitter: @SLENetwork; IG Slenetwork

What does your organization do?
SLEN provides professional development resources ranging from online articles, resume writing and interviewing skills coaching, and networking events for professionals.  We also provide opportunities for individuals to get mentored or become a mentor. Lastly, we provide high school students and their parents with resources to help them navigate the college application process.

What was your most memorable project?
Our most memorable project is the Annual SLEN conferences that we host in the summer/early fall.

What is one challenge you faced, and how did you overcome it?
One challenge that we had was having to slow down our initiatives in Sierra Leone (SL) because of the Ebola outbreak. One of the ways we overcame it was by providing virtual mentoring by connecting our mentees in SL with mentors in the U.S. via email, Skype and phone. Although we could not do any live activities in the country, we also kept our members in Sierra Leone active and engaged through social media. 

What is your advice to someone thinking about becoming an entrepreneur or starting a nonprofit?Desmond: Go for it! It’s very rewarding
Janice: You have to be willing to give your all. There will be many who do not share your dream and times you will feel alone, but remember this is what you want to do and you can’t lose sight of that.

Previous and current clients, we’d like to spotlight your work! Interested? Contact Project Coordinator, Hanna Hagos at Hanna@perkconsulting.net.