Cherae Robinson

I am Cherae Robinson, a traveler and connector interested in emerging markets, particularly Africa. I am also a global cause communicator, agriculture nerd, and startup founder working at the intersection of development and commerce.

I'm the founder of Rare Customs, a company focused on embedding American SME's in emerging market tourism trends. We were recently selected as the inaugural winner of the She Leads Africa startup competition for our new consumer product "Tastemakers Africa" a multi-platform brand that is revolutionizing travel on the continent. I am also the founder of Look At Me! Communications, a boutique graphic design firm, and the Afripolitans, a collective of professionals interested in creating a stronger narrative on Africa that began with an 80 person voyage to Equitorial Guinea. I am also a partner in Four Women NYC, a collective of four new york city women committed to celebrating life, art, and the pursuit of happiness by putting together dynamic events that tap into our city's influential and hip parent communities.

I've spent the past decade raising the profiles of international non-profit organizations like CARE, CIMMYT, and Keep A Child Alive in a range of external relations roles from private-sector engagement to media and marketing communications. Building on this experience, I am now focused on non-aid mechanisms of furthering Africa's development while providing consulting support to social enterprises and non-profits that I believe in.

I have spoken at Social Media Week Lagos, Global Ag Investing, The Leon H Sullivan Summit, and The National Black Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and enjoy engaging audiences on African economic trends, African-American issues, travel, diversity in international careers and balancing motherhood and global ambition.