Achille Tenkiang

Achille Tenkiang is a Cameroonian-American writer, cultural strategist, and interdisciplinary artist with a global perspective shaped by time in Nairobi, Dublin, Paris, and Brooklyn. He is committed to breaking down barriers so underserved communities can engage with, shape, and see themselves reflected in the arts. Achille founded the Baldwin Institute, merging education and the arts to create career pathways for Black and Brown youth in creative fields. As a Senior Program Assistant at the Mellon Foundation, he drives innovative culture and heritage initiatives and manages significant grant portfolios. Graduating with honors from Princeton, Achille became the first student in its 275+ year history to receive a degree in African Studies, a major he created. He also holds a master’s in Race, Migration, and Decolonial Studies from University College Dublin, where he earned department and thesis honors. He served on Princeton’s Board of Trustees and contributed to the Association of Governing Boards. Founder of AfroWave, a platform connecting Africa and its diaspora through music, Achille’s work spans curated playlists and live events. His writing has appeared in Rolling Stone, BBC, OkayAfrica, Africa Is a Country, Republic Journal, and Paris Lit Up. Achille currently serves on the boards of The Boarding School, Alena Museum, and the New Jersey Literary Collective.