A Journey of Leadership Coach, Book Coach, Author & Speaker: An Interview with Rasie Bamigbade
“I turned my difficult experiences into something meaningful, and now I work to make the world better.” - Rasie Bamigbade
Refugee turned bestselling author, leadership coach, and youth mentor empowering others to lead with authenticity and purpose.
Rasie Bamigbade’s story is about strength, leadership, and helping others. She was born in Kono, Sierra Leone, and her early years were affected by the civil war. After living in Freetown for a few years, her parents decided to send her to The Gambia to live with her aunt, because the war was dangerous for young girls. This decision helped Rasie move to Canada as a refugee under the care of a guardian.
Looking back on her journey, Rasie talks about how her struggles helped her become a leader. “I remember all the challenges I faced, until I started to see them as things happening for me, not against me,” she says. “When I understood why I’m here, as a human, everything changed. I turned my difficult experiences into something meaningful, and now I work to make the world better.” This shift in thinking has been key to her work as a leader and mentor, where she teaches that every action, no matter how small, makes a difference.
The Path to Leadership Coaching and Authoring
Rasie’s leadership journey started in childhood, when she often had to take charge when adults weren’t around. “As I grew older, I realized leadership was where I belonged,” she remembers. Her love for leadership grew when she visited a Chapters bookstore in Vancouver and saw that there were no books with Black people or women on the covers. “I started imagining my own face on a book cover, thinking about how young girls would see that and know they also had choices,” she recalls. This moment inspired her to become a three-time bestselling author, and now she’s working on her fourth book.
Through her work with leaders, Rasie noticed a common pattern: leaders acted differently depending on their environment or how they felt inside. This made her passionate about self-leadership and led her to start RB Jumpstart Coaching. This organization helps leaders grow from within, stressing that personal growth is necessary before leading others well.
Rasie’s work with youth also shaped her mission. After seeing young people from disadvantaged communities who wanted to help but didn’t have the right leadership training, Rasie started the RB Jumpstart Mentorship & Youth Leadership Training Society. The goal of the society is to give young people the tools they need to become strong leaders.
Closing the Leadership Opportunity Gap
Rasie says one of the biggest barriers to leadership is not having access to training or mentorship. "Many leaders get promoted without proper training," she says. "Organizations need to focus on developing leadership skills for everyone to help them lead better."
Be Not Alone: A Message of Self-Empowerment
Her book Be Not Alone encourages readers to think about their own paths. Based on her own experiences of feeling isolated, Rasie stresses the importance of finding your inner strength and choosing to grow. “For a long time, I felt alone, until I decided not to let my struggles define me, but instead to thrive,” she shares.
Leadership, Racial Discrimination, and Authenticity
Rasie’s experience with racial discrimination has greatly influenced her leadership style. She believes leaders should take care of themselves and stay true to who they are, even when facing challenges like racial discrimination. In her bestselling book Lead In Your Truth, she talks about how leaders can be themselves while dealing with both personal and outside challenges.
Advice for Young Leaders
Rasie’s advice to young people from underrepresented backgrounds is simple: “Look within, know your strengths, values, weaknesses, and how you handle your emotions. Be confident and lead with good intentions.” She encourages them to take control of their personal growth, no matter what’s happening around them.
Rasie Bamigbade’s story is one of change, from being a refugee to becoming a respected leadership coach and author. Through her work, she continues to inspire others to lead authentically, empower youth, and create a more inclusive world.