Angie is the current president and co-founder of Alliance. She and her family resettled in Grand Rapids 11 years ago as the very first members of the Banyamulenge community. Since then, the Banyamulenge community in Grand Rapids has expanded to nearly 600 people today. Angie has served as a community leader and official secretary for 2 years. Her knowledge of those in her community and their needs along with her passion for helping others ultimately led to her desire to formulate Alliance. Outside of her role at Alliance, she has worked as a production assistant for Lacks Enterprises for 7 years, volunteers at her local church, and is a mother. She loves to travel, has a particular interest in the sport of soccer and dreams of furthering her education with a degree in Social Work.

Bienfait Irakoze resettled in Salt Lake City, Utah in 2014. Along with his wife and kids, he moved to Michigan three years later to be closer to family and in pursuit of more opportunities for him and his family. Today, Biefait is serving as an advisor for the Banyamulenge Community and the head of the New Banyamulenge family’s adaptability in Grand Rapids. He is also an agent of financial education. Bienfait loves to serve his community and help others which is why he, in partnership with the others, started Alliance. Shortly after he moved to Michigan from Utah, he noticed significant gaps in service for his Banyamulenge community, which he is now determined to fill through his work with Alliance.

Espoir Ndizeye immigrated to the United States in November of 2019, from Africa with his aunt. His first and last name mean “hope” in the languages of French and Kinyarwanda. He is a founding member and the current treasurer of Alliance. In addition to his role at Alliance, Espoir is a board member of the African Reformed Church based in Grand Rapids, volunteers as an income tax assistant via VITA, and is pursuing his bachelor’s degree at Grand Rapids Community College in accounting. Espoire speaks 5 African languages.

Aimante Kinoro recently joined the Alliance leadership team after resettling in Grand Rapids, MI 5 years ago on her own. She heard among the Banyamulenge community about the formation of Alliance and immediately stepped up to help. She has a passion for helping others and addressing the barriers refugee communities face. Her experience of migrating to the United States alone was not easy and is shared by many others in her community. Aimante is determined to help meet the needs of those who have a similar experience as hers. Her family and husband have since joined her in Grand Rapids, MI. In addition to her newfound role with Alliance, Aimante is a Community Leader of Women, the leader of the community choir, a lover of music, and a mother to two boys.