Your Professional Circle. Finally.
Trusted bi-weekly circles for East African diaspora professionals. Accountability that works. Peers you can trust. Cultural fluency space.
What Founding Circle Members Say
“This is a refuge hub for diasporians.”
Wachira
CA
“I'm tired of generic networking that doesn't understand visa struggles, credential barriers, building while navigating diaspora life. That's why I'm joining.”
Mary K.
Los Angeles
“After interviewing 18 East Africans, I learned people don't need more content or networking — they need trusted circles where real challenges get real support.”
Kasisi Johnson
Founder
How Professional Circles Work
Join a Vetted Professional Circle
Small bi-weekly circles (8-10 people). Facilitated by someone who gets it. A cultural fluency space — no code-switching required.
Show Up & Build Trust
90-minute accountability circles every two weeks. Structured collaboration that actually works. Truth-telling without performance.
Belong Long-Term
$25/month for ongoing professional circles. Cancel anytime. Access to vetted peer circles. Trusted diaspora professionals when you need them.
Join the Founding Cohort
Limited to 8-10 East African diaspora professionals. Shape what this becomes.
Be among the first professionals to join our founding circle. As a founding member, you’ll help shape the culture, governance, and direction of Jirani Connect’s professional circles.
The 4-Session Journey
Session 1
The Truth Session
Share authentic professional challenges. Build initial trust. Establish circle agreements.
Session 2
Collaboration Skills for Diaspora Leaders
Learn proven frameworks for partnerships. Navigate cultural fluency challenges. Practice accountability structures.
Session 3
Building the Circle Charter
Co-create principles we live by. Define what trust means in our circle. Set governance structures.
Session 4
Partnership Lab
Form one concrete collaboration to pursue. Decide if we continue as a circle. Shape the path forward.
What You’ll Gain
- Cultural fluency space (no code-switching)
- Structured accountability circles that work
- Vetted professional peer circles
- One real partnership by end of circle
- Founding circle member status (you shape the culture)
Schedule Details
Applications reviewed on a rolling basis. Limited spots available.
42 Diaspora Leaders Named the Same Challenge: Trust
“We don't collaborate — everyone starts their own thing.”
“Trust is our biggest challenge as a diaspora.”
“Other communities work together. We need to learn from them.”
When we gathered 42 East African diaspora leaders for a discovery session, the same challenge emerged across every conversation. Not lack of talent. Not lack of ambition. Trust. Professional isolation. Code-switching fatigue. Failed partnerships. The need for professional circles where cultural fluency isn't optional.
Based on that discovery session, participants voted for bi-weekly circles, making our cohorts intentionally small and high-trust. Our founding cohorts are the first step toward building the trusted infrastructure diaspora leaders named as missing.
Built on 3 Years of Listening, Not Assumptions
I spent three years running Radio Kenya United (600+ weekly listeners, faith & culture community). I conducted 18 in-depth interviews with East African diaspora professionals. I learned: people don't need more content or generic networking. They need trusted circles where real challenges get real support.
That's why I'm building Jirani Connect differently. Starting with one cohort. Shaped by real members. Testing what actually works before scaling.
This is informed by:
- 18 interviews with diaspora professionals
- 3 years running Radio Kenya United
- Direct experience with visa challenges, credential barriers, cultural isolation
We're not guessing. We're listening.
Kasisi Johnson Kĩriakũ Kĩnyua
Founder, Jirani Connect
Lake Elsinore, California
Questions About Professional Circles?
More Circles Coming Soon
Based on what we learn from our founding cohort, we'll launch additional circles: Parents & Family, Youth (12-21), Night-Shift & Caregivers, Career Bridge, Elders & Mentors. Want to help shape them?
Apply to Join a Professional Circle
Applications are reviewed within 48 hours. Limited to 8-10 professionals per cohort.