Our Mission

Founded by Aliaune “Akon” Thiam and Ms. Kine Gueye Thiam in 2007, the Konfidence Foundation is dedicated to empowering youth in Senegal, West Africa and the United States by promoting health and education, and supporting impoverished families. Akon and Ms. Kine’s vision is that one day our concentrated efforts in Senegal and the United States will serve as an international platform to unite these two great nations and help build the Africa of tomorrow.

Our vision is that the Foundation's concentrated efforts in Senegal will one day serve as the international platform to empower individuals, communities, and nations with the tools needed to build the Africa of tomorrow.

Founders Biographies

Mr. Aliaune "Akon" Thiam Founder & Chairman Akon, a Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum selling artist, producer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, is one of the most influential voices in music today. In addition to having two multi-platinum albums, 27songs on the Billboard Hot 100 and over 150 guest appearances with artists such as Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Eminem and Gwen Stefani, Akon is the first artist to accomplish the feat of holding both the number one and two spots simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100 charts twice.

In 2007, Akon turned his attention, energy, and love to launch the Konfidence Foundation. Drawing upon his recognizable celebrity combined with pride of his heritage and passion for philanthropy, Akon formed the Konfidence Foundation to improve the quality of life for people in Africa and the United States.

The son of two Senegalese natives, Akon was born Aliaune Badara Thiam, in St. Louis and raised in Senegal, West Africa until age 7. His father, Mor Thiam, a well-respected Senegalese percussionist and jazz musician, and mother, Kine, a renowned African singer, dancer and humanitarian, helped to foster a general love of the arts in Akon as well as a deep appreciation of his heritage and homeland. Their influences were truly ingrained within Akon and fueled his desire to create a better future for Africa, beginning with empowering its youth.

Ms. Kine Gueye Thiam President Chief Executive Officer A native of Senegal, raised in a family known for its artistry, community businesses and charity, Kine Gueye Thiam has extended the legacy of her family America. Ms. Thiam first came to the United States in 1972, when she caught the eye of legendary choreographer, dancer and social activist, Katherine Dunham, who invited her to teach traditional Senegalese song, dance and culture at her studio and at Southern Illinois University. Soon after, Ms. Thiam accepted a position at The Performing Arts Training Center (PATC) in East St. Louis where she taught African dance and culture to underprivileged children in an effort to surround them with something more positive than violence.

Inspired by the success of PATC, Ms. Thiam founded The Institute for the Study of African Culture (ISAC), her own not-for-profit performing arts studio and African cultural education center in 1974. For the next two decades, Ms. Thiam and her husband, Mor Thiam, tirelessly traveled throughout the country exposing children and their families to African dance and culture. Through the initiatives at ISAC, Ms. Thiam and her family became recognized for their charitable endeavors and often provided food, shelter and a means to make a living to many Senegalese immigrants who came to the United States.

As President & CEO of the Konfidence Foundation, Ms. Thiam draws on her own experience as a mother of five children as well as a youth mentor, cultural educator, and community business leader to further her son's mission of empowering the people of Africa and restoring hope and confidence to their youth.

Our Values

• Family Heritage & Structure

We cherish the institution of family. We intend to establish a lasting legacy of prosperity and service for future generations to carry on.

• Willingness

We are willing to do what may seem impossible. We are willing to be a voice for U.S. and African Youth. We are willing to generate the resources necessary to carry out our mission.

• Ability

We each have and harness very strong abilities towards the fulfillment of our mission. We support the strengthening of our individual and collective abilities.

• Accountability

We are accountable to each other and the public that supports us. We expect accountability from our partners and the organizations that we support.

• Desire

To improve educational opportunities , heath conditions, and overall quality of life for young people and their families.

• Dedication

Leveling the playing field for disadvantaged youths.

• Vision

To prepare an environment for children that is safe where they can learn and develop with "Konfidence".