In this episode of the “Coming to America” podcast, the host interviews Wilson Kubwayo, a Burundian immigrant who arrived in the U.S. in 2008 and now serves as a business faculty member at Portland Community College and founder of WK Social, a digital marketing agency. Wilson shares leaving Burundi as a toddler, growing up in a refugee camp in Tanzania until age 12, and how camp life, rations, and emerging self-sufficiency shaped his humility and resilience. He discusses colonial-era ethnic divisions affecting Burundi/Rwanda, then recounts resettling in Tucson, Arizona, facing language barriers, bullying, recession-era hardship, and learning that refugees repay travel loans. The family moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for meatpacking work and stability, leading to homeownership. Wilson studied business and philosophy, started a youth nonprofit, left a job after being denied time off, earned an MBA, moved to Portland in 2018, bought a duplex in 2020, and created a quarterly Black professionals networking mixer centered on storytelling. He advises newcomers to learn their history, refine their values, and build pathways for others.
Wilson Kubwayo is the founder of wksocial, a thriving social media marketing agency that is revolutionizing the way businesses engage and attract their target audience. With years of experience in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors, and an MBA in Marketing and Business Innovation, Wilson has developed a deep understanding of digital strategy and community engagement, making him the go-to expert for businesses looking to build a strong offline and online presence.
At WKSocial, Wilson leads a team of digital marketing experts and web developers who create customized experiences that drive growth, engagement, and revenue. Their proven techniques have helped countless businesses and organizations increase their online presence, improve their overall engagement, and drive more sales.
Wilson's passion for business innovation and implementing effective marketing strategies has established wksocial as a trusted partner for businesses and organizations looking to succeed in the digital age. With his unwavering commitment to delivering results, Wilson and his team at wksocial are dedicated to helping businesses attract and connect with their target audience.
https://wk.social/