MICAELA REIS

We love and appreciate Africa and our hope is that the rest of the world also sees the beauty in that amazing continent, however some of the most terrible  inhumanities have also occurred in Africa. We cannot overlook the pain and sufferings of many people in Africa; to do so would be atrocious. We present to you the story of a woman who saw these first hand and rose to tell her story unlike many people whose voices died in the grave. Hers is a story of a woman who endured untold hardship during the war in Rwanda, a story that would baffle the minds of most people in modern societies....it is almost impossible to grasp. Man's inhumanity to man. Yet she saw the light.

For the next few days, you are about to get transfixed by the story of Sonia Gisa.

At an age when kids were playing innocently in the yard, she saw deaths by the thousands. A war that killed her family.... many people did not make it out alive, but she did and rose to prominence. A reminder that no matter how dark your life may be, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Never give up!

BronzePage! We do it like no one else. 

Sonia Gisa was only 3 years old when her family was forced to flee from their home in Rusenga, Rwanda. To keep them safe, her father decided they should separate because the men were the ones that were mostly being killed. That was the last time Sonia saw him alive. He was killed! Then the family (comprising of her mother, her three sisters and baby brother) endured about two months of near starvation and sickness as they took refuge in a school. It was too much for her  brother, he did not make it...he died. The family had to flee again...this time she lost her sisters and her mother …she was now alone and as fate would have it, she moved in with her aunt. It is an experience that still haunts her. 

We asked her!

BronzePage:'Your parents were killed in 1994, you did not leave for Europe till you were about 18, how did you cope?
 

Sonia Gisa: ''A major part of my direct (and not direct) family perished in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. It is something that, even 31 years later, I still struggle to understand how humans can turn against their own... to that extent.

Although many governmental programs were put in place to help with school fees and a few other basic needs, I bonded with my cousins, and despite all we had lost, we had a happy childhood surrounded by nature.

It wasn’t until I was 18 years old that the opportunity arose for me to go to Europe, and I had the chance to redefine myself on my own terms.

So, that’s when the journey toward my biggest dreams started and now, here we are''.

(Three decades later, the experience is still too much for her. BronzePage decided to stop the interview and switch our focus to what she has become and the bright lights ahead. 

Her tragic experience is well documented in the book : Slaughter Baby. You can find it on Amazon.

In 2009, Sonia Gisa moved to Belgium from Rwanda; she was 18 years old and faced a whole new world. She was like a stranger in a strange land. The adjustment was not easy as she had to learn the language and be able to communicate well, she also dealt with life in a new school, coupled with trying to get a job and an apartment. Sonia was determined and each time she met the struggle with resolved strength.

She discovered her love for modelling and threw herself into it when the opportunity arose. She became one of the top models representing such major brands as Dior, Gucci, Yves-Saint -Laurent, Dolce and Gabanna, Moschino.

It was as if the future opened up for her. She delved into beauty pageantry and represented Rwanda in Miss Supranatural. The final event was held in Poland in December, 2014. Sonia won !! She told BronzePage '' It was sensational, I went home with the title of Miss Supranatural Africa.....it was the first time the crown went to Rwanda'.

Talk about redemption! What an irony, the very country where she experienced untold pain and tragedy, the same country where her life was almost destroyed, it was that same country, she represented and placed on the  world map.

She also took part in Miss Grand International, which took place in Las Vegas in 2016. 

Sonia told BronzePage "It was an incredible experience, and I learned a lot from it. Beauty pageants played a big role in helping me feel confident on stage and in public speaking. Additionally, you get to meet and connect with different contestants representing their own countries you discover new cultures and build an international friendship circle''.

Sonia Gisa is now an International Model and Actress, United Nations Goodwill Agent, War child Charity Ambassador, Advocate for ' Let Them Play" (Children belong on the playing fields not the battlefields)  Author, Life Coach and Motivational speaker. She now resides in London.

'' I ask myself, how did a little girl born in a small village in Rusenga, Rwanda get here.''

'I get asked,  ''How do you manage to display a personal smile and love life with everything you have gone through?' I answer,  I have more reasons to smile, when you escape death you learn the value of each moment.'

''When I was parading (Modeling), I didn't think of anything else, I was 100% concentrated in the present....it was the most glorious moment of my life, there was no more painful childhood, no more trauma attacks or nightmares. I was simply blessed. I never thought that such a feeling could exist, that such a feeling of gratitude for life could be possible"

 …."I have come to terms with the unsettling memories of this -anything but innocent childhood, and built a new strength to become myself. I turned what was an unbearable burden into a force for fearless progress, propelling me to London and into the world of the most prestigious players in Fashion'. 

(Last word from BronzePage:)

'Speechless ….that so much Love, Grace, Humility, Kindness and Gratitude could come out of a woman who witnessed so much pain and human brutality especially at an age when other kids where playing in the fields.''

Words are not enough!!

She is a message to anyone going through trials: Never Give Up! Don't even think about it !! Life has so much in store for you'.

Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) is a yearly event that brings value to designers through, contacts, experience and knowledge within the fashion community. 

 With a collaborative catwalk, exhibition, and business development program, AFWL has led the way in highlighting Africa’s emerging designers and apparel industry and has been at the forefront of bringing awareness of Africa’s burgeoning fashion industry to the international market. 

Designer & Exhibitor application form for AFWL 2025 is available on line: africafashionweeklondonuk.com

The name 'Noella' a feminine version of Noel,  stands for ' Christmas day' or 'born on Christmas day'. This gorgeous Model and Philanthropist was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo on December the  25th while people all over the world were celebrating Christmas.

You are about to enter into the world of a woman who refused to turn her back on those she left behind. We bring you the story of  the woman behind Malaika (her School for  poor kids in Democratic Republic of Congo).

We cannot say enough about this woman. We have devoted the next few days to 'The Noella Story'. Her thoughts, her aspirations, her passion, her experience, her childhood.

Bronzepage does it better than anyone else.

Noëlla Coursaris Musunka was born to a Congolese Mother, and a father from Cyprus . 

Noella's mother made a choice, a very painful one, but one that would pay huge dividends when she sent her daughter to live with relatives in Europe because she knew she was too poor to provide for her. Little Noella's journey to Europe started, from Belgium to Switzerland....for the next 13 years she had very little contact with her own mother except by mail.

Pause for a moment and try to comprehend the emotional clash and conflict in the mind of that little girl now living in a strange land without the comfort of the only woman she has ever known and fully trusted; her mother. 

She made great use of her life in Europe by immersing herself in school. Noella's appreciation for education must have been born at this time. She graduated with a degree in Business.

Shortly after Noella completed her degree, one of her friends entered her into a modelling competition; good news of course, her life took a turn as her journey to the global stage just started. She was chosen to appear in a campaign for Agent Provocateur. Noëlla did various campaigns in New York and London as modeling gave her access to the pages of fashion magazines like Vogue, Elle, Vanity Fair and Marie Claire..... the doors just sprung wide open.

Unlike many successful people who forget their past and turn their back on where they came from, Noella had a burning desire to give back. As she traveled the world, she realized she deeply wanted to help and share her passion for human rights. 

After 13 years in Europe, 18 year old Noella was now ready to visit her homeland and reunite with her mother.  

 The idea for Malaika was born when Noella went home to visit her mother. She saw the stark poverty and lack of opportunity for women in her country.

She founded Malaika in 2007, a nonprofit grassroots organization that empowers Congolese girls and their communities through education and health programs. Malaika’s projects are impacting thousands of lives in the community of Kalebuka and in Congo and are all offered completely free of charge. 

These include an accredited school  for over 430 girls, a Community Center built partially in partnership with FIFA that provides education, health, and sports programs to over 5,000 youth and adults each year, clean water for over 35,000 people each year through the building and refurbishment of 31 wells and an agriculture program, which helps feed students and staff two meals each day; and a technical program.

The minute Noella introduced Malaika to the world, more  doors started to open for her. Her story was intriguing; a celebrity who was actually proactive, sincerely helping, giving back and not just talking about things that should be done. 

Some of the magazines, platforms and opportunities that have showcased the Noella and Malaika Story are listed below:

Vanity Fair, Cotswold Style, Grazia, Shiffon, 

Greek World Reporter, Forbes, Sandton, 

Elle South Africa, Bizcommunity, Now in SA,

Laqua Magazine, Greek Reporter, Image, British Vogue,Fashion Network, Vouge India, Billionaire, Editeur Plus, Vogue Espana, Harpers Baazar, Elle Germany, L'Officieal, Tatler Ireland, Moda, Greek City Times, Vogue Australia, Cosmopolitan, Vogue, Neue Afrique, Leadership, Forbes, Actualite, South Africa Daily, True Africa, The St Raphael Resort & Mariana Magazine, Daily Mail, Global Fund for Children, Congo Airways Magazine, Africa News,  CNBC Africa, Marie Claire, The Guardian, TV%. IGNYTE, CountryandTownHouse, Fashion Magic 42,

HARPERS BAZAAR, LacunaMagazine, SCHICK,

#CongoExcellence, Harper's BAZAAR Japan, 

Women of Influence 'Meet a Role Model' Feature Questions, FOOT AU FEMININ (Cameroon), NEW AFRICA DAILY, MOJEH

Congolese Entrepreneurs, Kaieteur News,  

Sustainability Forbes, Malaika Foundation Congo And Formidable Magazine, Telegraph, TAP Magazine, FORBES AFRICA, Afropolitan

Brune Magazine, Creative Wardrobe, Vogue, 

Harper Bazaar, Sunday Times, Grazia, IIRR, 

Congolese Prodigies LeCongolais, PORTER, Net a Porter, The Times, Luxx Philanthropy

INNOV MAG, Book "Lessons from life and business" by Facebook Inc., Actualite.cd, 

APO Group, Magazine Congolais, Telegraph, Maverick Life, Vogue and Piaget, C'CHIC Magazine, Rachel SUMBU ( Radio de la Femme (Kinshasa), CIAB MAGAZINE, CHANGE IN AFRICA, Vogue Germany, Financial Times, Ici et Ailleurs Magazine, Marie Claire, 

Hunger Magazine, Adunagow Magazine, 

METAL magazine,  African Shapers, Pride Magazine Nigeria's Woman of the Month: January 2022, Salon d'Afrique, Interview seSalon d'Afriquer, lemondefemin.com,  

Hamaji, Sans Frontières mag ( FRENCH ),

CLAM Magazine, Elle Italia, Daily Telegraph, 

Nigeria Business, Opt1mum Magazine, 

VoyageDallas, HERA Magazine, Amazing,

Mayfair Times, Optimum, Marie Claire UK, 

Sandy Times, Madame Arabia, Vogue ARABIA.....the list goes on. Some of these brands were not listed here.......just too many of them.

Malaika started as a small project sponsoring ten girls from a  a local orphanage from a small village of  Kalebuka in south eastern DRC. Since 2007 when it was founded, it has  grown into a fully-fledged ecosystem that is transforming an entire community in the DRC from the ground up. Its  collaboration with Apple provides solar panels and access to renewable energy at the Malaika School, as well as sessions on coding, photography, filmmaking, and design. Malaika school  provides free, accredited primary and secondary education to 430 girls, ranging from STEM and coding to art, music, theater, and sports.  The Malaika Community Center offers free literacy and vocational education, health classes, and sports programming to 6,000 people in the Congo. There is provision of clean water and sanitation. The building and maintenance of over 30 wells provides a consistent source of safe, clean drinking water to over 36,000 people each year.  Malaika’s Technical Program trains young women and men ages 18-35 in mechanical and electrical skills. Upon completion of the respective programs, which last 9 and 12 months, students will be certified at a nationally-recognized level to pursue high-demand, local jobs. Malaika has recently expanded its offering with the construction of two new buildings for even more technical classes including welding, plumbing and carpentry – plus workshops for art and advanced IT classes. 

Malaika has taken Noella to meet and work with people  she never dreamt she would ever meet.  From Bill President Clinton,(Clinton Global initiative 2015) King Charles, Princess Caroline of Hanover, working with Hollywood star Eve, meeting with Forest Whitaker, Alexandra Palt, Nelson Mandela's grandson- Ndaba Mandela,Hollywood actress Kerry Washington, President of FIFA Giovanni Vincenzo Infantino, the wife of King Charles - Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, Model Naomi Campbell, Will.i.am, Cherrie Blair (spouse of former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Tony Blair) ....the list just continues to grow.

Malaika’s work has been recognized internationally. In 2023 Malaika was awarded the Peace Through Sport Initiative of the Year at the Peace and Sport Awards. Malaika teacher Therese Mabaka was selected as one of the top 50 finalists for the Global Teacher Prize 2023, presented by the Varkey Foundation and UNESCO. Other awards include: World Literacy Award (2021), Maya Amerja Sustainability Award (2018), House of Mandela Award (2018).  

MSNBC President, Rashida Jones who was the First Black Woman to lead a major cable news network, is stepping down after four years.  Jones said she was leaving to “pursue new opportunities.'

Rashida Jones was born in Pennsylvania, but her family  later moved to Virginia where she attended high school. Her love and flair for journalism started at a young age. She was the Editor of the Student Newspaper in high  school. When she graduated, she  attended Hampton University, where she majored in Broadcast Journalism. 

 While she was still a senior in college, Jones worked as a Morning Show producer at WTKR in Norfolk, Virginia. She graduated with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in 2002.

 A few years later, she moved to The Weather Channel, as a weekend producer, and became Director of Live programming in 2009. She also worked as News Director, at WIS-TV in Columbia, South Carolina. Jones would later move to New York as an Executive Producer for Daytime Shows at MSNBC, and became the Managing Editor at MSNBC and Senior Vice President of specials for NBC News and MSNBC.
On February 1, 2021, Jones succeeded Phil Griffin as the President of MSNBC and the First Black Woman to be the President of a major network.
On January 14, 2025, she resigned from her position at MSNBC.

We wish her the very best in her new pursuit.

'Hi, I’m Marion! I’m a professional model, content creator, and mentor for aspiring models. My mission is to inspire and empower others to pursue their dreams, build confidence, and unlock their full potential. 

I was born in Sierra Leone;  I lost my dad at a very  young age but was raised in Switzerland from the age of seven. I was adopted by my loving Swiss father, who gave me the stability and support I needed to thrive. Despite a challenging childhood, I found resilience and purpose through modeling.  

 I had to navigate life as an immigrant girl integrating into a predominantly Caucasian country. 

At 19, I began my modeling journey, and by 21, I had won my first beauty pageant- Miss Northwest Switzerland. I went on to become the first Black woman to be the runner-up on Switzerland’s Next Top Model, an achievement that paved the way for my recognition as a rising star in the influencer world in 2022'. 

 'My journey took an exciting turn when I moved to Dubai, a place that fueled my passion for entrepreneurship. Immersed in a culture of ambition and innovation, I built a network of inspiring individuals and returned to Switzerland, where I dedicated myself to empowering other models through mentorship and academic teachings 

 In 2024, I achieved two major milestones: publishing my first book and launching my own company and small business. Today, I continue to inspire others to invest in themselves, embrace their uniqueness, and chase their goals with unwavering confidence.

During the pandemic, I traveled to Sierra Leone after spending nearly a year in America. While in Sierra Leone, I dedicated my time to charity work, an experience that deepened my passion for helping children.' 

'My dream is to establish a childcare center that provides orphaned children with the care and support they need to thrive. Although this goal requires significant resources, I am actively working toward making it a reality. 

My background in nursing, which I studied in Switzerland, has given me a unique perspective. It was the first time in my life that I began to see the world through a medical lens, and it greatly influenced how I approach challenges and care for others. This foundation continues to inspire my mission to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those in need.

Being biracial has given me the unique opportunity to experience and embrace two different worlds, cultures, and perspectives. It’s a beautiful journey of connection and learning, but it’s not without its challenges' 

' Growing up in a place that wasn’t always fair to people of color, I couldn’t ignore the subtle and sometimes overt biases and struggles we face.

Switzerland, while creatively enriching, didn’t always offer me the opportunities or recognition I truly deserved. Looking back, I realize that part of that was my own hesitation to take bigger risks.

 I wish I had moved to New York earlier, trusting in my abilities rather than letting fear of failure hold me back.

However, every experience, good or bad, has shaped the person I am today. 

I’ve learned that growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone and owning your worth, no matter where you are. 

You asked if I turn heads? Yes, I do turn heads when I walk, and I’m proud of it haha! '

'These days, I’ve become more selective about the photographers I work with. It’s not about being unapproachable, but about valuing my time and focusing on meaningful opportunities.

In New York, I landed the opportunity to grace the front cover of their Fashion magazine.

 I have done a collaboration with H&M....that was very exciting.  It was one of a kind. The production, the team, the set – everything was just spot on. 

 I was part of the 'Women Leaders' of the World event and spoke on Stage......what a moment of pure excitement and humility. The event was filled with some individuals who are shaping the world in remarkable ways.' 

                             (Photo: Klevin Halili)                                  

'My book is called 'Beyond Beauty' because it explores what lies beyond appearances. It’s about empowering women to work on themselves, overcome challenges, and strive to become the best version of who they are. The book shares advice and insights drawn from my personal experiences and the process of working through my own traumas.

 I began writing my book during one of the darkest moments of my life, mentally and emotionally. It became clear that I needed to work through my struggles and find a way forward. In that process, I felt a deep urge to help others who might be facing similar challenges. Writing a book felt like the best place to start. 

This book is filled with valuable advice to help you better yourself and navigate life with strength and clarity. My goal is for readers to feel truly empowered and inspired, to believe in themselves, and to embrace their unique potential. 

Readers can purchase it online .

Explore the pages of my new eBook on www.marionreber.com. 

Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned pro, this memoir is your key to unlocking the secrets of the fashion world.

 Join me as we embark on this exhilarating journey together, filled with insights, tips, and heartfelt experiences. Let’s elevate each other’s paths and make every page count. '