Where It All Began
The story of BASA Development Initiatives begins not in a boardroom, but at a restaurant table in Nairobi, Kenya - with a moment of reflection that sparked a lifelong mission.
A Letter from Our Founder
Dear Friend,
Did you know that almost 60% of Africa's population is under 25, making it the world's youngest continent? Yet, shockingly, Liberia - a country rich in potential - reports that over 85% of its young people are unemployed. This stark contrast between vibrant youthfulness and crippling unemployment forms the crux of our struggle, and is why BASA Development Initiatives was born.
Every impactful journey begins with a spark - an inspiration, a vision that fuels an indomitable desire to create change. My awakening occurred on a typical day in Nairobi, Kenya, when BASA was first conceived.
Imagine a young Liberian woman, committed to shaping the future of her homeland but caught in a whirlpool of questions: What direction should I take? Which sector - private or non-profit - would let me contribute most meaningfully? What should the name of this endeavor be?
The epiphany happened at Seroni Restaurant in Nairobi on July 14, 2019, while in conversation with my brother. A fellow African who had spent some years in the United States displayed resentment for the traditional African dish served to him, upset with the lack of utensils. "Why should African businesses serve meals in such a primitive way? It's unacceptable!" he stormed out.
The incident sparked a deep reflection. Why do we Africans - those of us who have seen the world - often look down upon our roots instead of leveraging our global experiences to uplift our continent? From that thought was born the powerful mantra: "Born African, Stay African" - or in shorthand, BASA. This would become a beacon for encouraging Africans worldwide to take ownership of our narrative and drive development in our own lands.
My resolve solidified: to weave the rich mosaic of Africa, one piece at a time - starting with Liberia. The seed of BASA took root first as an online store offering African slippers and bags, cultivating pride in local artisanal creations. But as I dove deeper into Liberia's development sector, I saw an urgent need.
Driven by this compelling need, I transitioned BASA into BASA Development Initiatives (BDI) in June 2021, and formally registered the organization in Liberia in 2022. BDI's mission became to bridge institutional gaps, empower women, transform their societal perception, and champion youth development across the country we love.
Today, BDI works across eight program areas, operating in Sinoe, Bong, and Montserrado counties, with our sights set on reaching all 15 counties of Liberia. We are not a perfect organization. But we are a passionate, accountable, and deeply Liberian one - and we are just getting started.
Warm regards,
Katherina M. Hopkins
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, BASA Development Initiatives
Why do we Africans, who've seen the world, look down upon our roots instead of leveraging our global experiences to uplift our continent?
Katherina M. Hopkins — Nairobi, July 2019
Katherina M. Hopkins
Founder & CEO
A Liberian development professional with a deep commitment to empowering women, youth, and marginalized communities across Africa. The visionary behind BASA Development Initiatives since 2019.
The Journey in Milestones
The path from an idea at a restaurant table to a fully registered NGO operating across eight program areas was not linear. Here is how BDI grew, one milestone at a time.
At Seroni Restaurant in Nairobi, a conversation between Katherina and her brother - sparked by a fellow African's disdain for traditional food - gives birth to the BASA mantra and the idea of an organization rooted in African identity and African-owned development.
BASA begins as a small online store selling African slippers and bags - an early, tangible expression of the "Born African, Stay African" philosophy, cultivating pride in local artisanal crafts.
Katherina pivots BASA from a commercial store into BASA Development Initiatives. The mission expands to bridge institutional gaps, empower women, and champion youth development across Liberia.
BDI is formally registered in Liberia, establishes its headquarters in Monrovia, and begins building its core team. First programs launch in agriculture and the environment.
On an average annual budget of US$50,000, BDI trains over 1,200 farmers in sustainable agribusiness, reaches 1,600+ students through climate literacy, plants 5,000 trees, and establishes 10 school-based climate clubs.
BDI launches its Strategic Plan, expanding to eight full program areas. The goal: grow to $2 million in annual funding, reach all 15 Liberian counties, and become a sustainable force for community development across West Africa.
The Name Behind the Mission
The name BASA was never just a brand. It was born from a moment of cultural reckoning - a question about why Africans who know the world so often turn away from it instead of returning to build it. "Born African, Stay African" became the philosophical foundation that still underpins every program, every partnership, and every hire BDI makes today.
It is a declaration that Liberian-led development is not a limitation. It is a competitive advantage.
Born
Our identity is our foundation. We do not apologize for being African, Liberian, and rooted in the communities we serve.
African
We bring global knowledge and experience home to build the continent we love, on our own terms.
Stay
We are not a project that ends. We are an institution that commits, remains, and grows with the communities we serve.
African
Development owned, implemented, and celebrated by Africans themselves - for the prosperity of Africa's future generations.
What We Have Built Since 2022
Bringing this mission to life is challenging - we cannot do it alone. BDI seeks partners who share our passion for Liberia and Africa. We extend our invitation to INGOs, philanthropists, donors, and individuals to join hands with BDI and touch the lives of the youth and women of Liberia. Together, we can make the story that began in a restaurant in Nairobi one of the most impactful development stories in West Africa.
Katherina M. Hopkins
Founder & CEO, BASA Development Initiatives