Our Global Team
A cross-continental network of leaders, mentors, and program liaisons—working across the United States
and West Africa to build stability, restore dignity, and expand opportunity for young men.
The Heart Behind the Mission
A Son Has Come Home: A Message from Our Founder
Welcome. I’m Tony Curtis Daniel.
Born in Demopolis, Alabama, raised in Washington, D.C., and called to community in Lagos, Nigeria—my life has unfolded between worlds. I am a husband, a father, and a man in long-term recovery. More than anything, I am someone who believes that no man should suffer in silence.
I was raised by parents shaped by the Jim Crow South—people of faith, discipline, and quiet endurance. Hard work was not a concept; it was daily life. My understanding of dignity, resilience, and service was not learned in theory, but through lived experience—through family, through struggle, and through survival.
In 2022, I stood at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean on Elegushi Beach in Lagos. As the waves crashed at my feet, I felt something deeper than reflection. I heard it clearly within myself: a son has come home.
That moment clarified what had already been forming over time.
Through my own journey—and through years of listening to men across West Africa—I’ve encountered a shared reality: men who work hard, who carry responsibility, who endure quietly…often without access to the support they need to sustain their health, their families, and their future.
They do not need pity.
They need presence.
They need dignity.
They need opportunity.
Hope & Hustle Africa Foundation was born from that understanding.
Our work is not about charity as performance. It is about restoring dignity through practical support—meeting real needs while creating pathways toward long-term stability and self-sufficiency.
My life has been shaped by faith, recovery, and service. I don’t claim perfection—only a commitment to walk in truth, humility, and purpose. The principles that guide me are the same ones that guide this organization: show up, do the work, and extend what has been given.
This mission is not mine alone. It belongs to every leader, liaison, and partner who has committed to building something that lasts—something rooted in compassion, accountability, and real impact.
Together, we are building bridges—not boundaries.
And we are just getting started.
Elegushi Beach, Lagos, Nigeria — present, reflecting
Current Stewardship: 100% Volunteer Managed
Every leader and liaison currently serves as a volunteer, ensuring that every dollar invested today goes directly to our Fellows. As we grow, we remain committed to a 'Mission-First' financial model—prioritizing the needs on the ground while acknowledging the dedicated time and sacrifice of our global collective.
Our Global Collective: A Cross-Continental Partnership
The Visionary
tony curtis daniel
Executive Director, Treasurer, and Presiding Elder
Tony serves as the strategic leader and fiduciary anchor of Hope & Hustle Africa, driving the organization’s mission with a profound conviction that no individual should suffer in silence. As Executive Director, he oversees the foundation’s global operations, ensuring that every initiative—from entrepreneurial development to direct financial assistance—is executed with a focus on restoring dignity through work and wellness.
An ordained Minister and the Pastor of Daniel Christian Community, Tony is currently expanding his spiritual calling through the launch of an international online ministry dedicated to global outreach. His leadership is uniquely informed by his lived experience in long-term recovery, allowing him to lead with a rare blend of executive authority and deep empathy. In his dual role as Treasurer, he maintains the highest standards of financial transparency, ensuring that the foundation’s "Hustle" remains firmly grounded in "Hope," integrity, and a global vision for service.
US Strategic Advocacy & Marketing
Driving awareness, partnerships, and global storytelling from the United States.
Rev. Father Bruno Uzoamaka Anyanwu - Marketing Liaison
Boston, Massachusetts USA
Father Bruno brings a unique theological and global perspective to the foundation’s marketing and outreach efforts. Currently based in Boston, he works to foster institutional partnerships and strengthen the foundation’s network within faith-based and academic communities. His role is central to articulating the spiritual mission of Hope & Hustle Africa to a diverse, global demographic.
Destinee Moore - Marketing Liaison
Atlanta, Georgia USA
Destinee serves as a strategic voice for the foundation in the United States, focusing on brand awareness and digital storytelling. Based in Atlanta, he leverages his expertise in communication to connect our mission with a global audience. Destinee is dedicated to ensuring that the stories of resilience and impact from West Africa are shared authentically and effectively with our international supporters.
Regional Program Operations (Nigeria)
Our boots on the ground. They handle the direct mentorship, vocational vetting, and local industry partnerships that turn "Hope" into a "Hustle."
Mark Henry - Program Liaison Lagos, Nigeria
Mark serves as a vital operational link in Lagos, specializing in community mobilization and project execution. He is instrumental in coordinating the foundation’s local outreach efforts, ensuring that resources are delivered with efficiency and dignity. Mark’s leadership on the ground allows Hope & Hustle Africa to maintain a consistent and impactful presence in Nigeria’s largest urban center.
Pondam Lakai Program Liaison & Creative curator, Jos Nigeria
Based in Jos, Pondam leverages deep regional expertise to align the foundation’s goals with local community needs. His grassroots leadership ensures our programs are culturally resonant and sustainable across Plateau State.
Serving also as our Creative Curator, Pondam (known in the recording community as Peedee Maniac) identifies and mentors some of the talent featured in our Digital Marketplace. He bridges the gap between local artistry and global opportunity, turning creative "hustle" into a sustainable economic engine.
PRINCE KWANI -Program Liaison – Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Pastor Kwani provides a powerful blend of pastoral care and community leadership in Port Harcourt. As a Program Liaison, he oversees the spiritual and social wellness aspects of our local initiatives. His extensive experience in ministry and community advocacy makes him a cornerstone of our efforts to restore both hope and productivity to the underserved.
The Board of directors
Providing governance, accountability, and long-term strategic oversight.
JOHN ARTHUR ELLIS
Secretary and Founding Board Member
John brings a lifetime of discipline, resilience, and administrative stewardship to the leadership team. With a career spanning over three decades in the automotive industry, he possesses a deep-rooted understanding of operational efficiency and organizational integrity. His professional journey is complemented by a solid foundation in education and years of dedicated service in transportation ministries and community outreach.
Guided by the values of perseverance and faith, John ensures the foundation’s internal processes and compliance remain steadfast. He specializes in translating complex organizational needs into structured, practical actions—a skill honed through years of business experience and public service. John’s commitment to "Hope & Hustle Africa" is driven by a belief in the power of diligent work and the grace of service, ensuring that the foundation operates with the highest level of accountability and humility.
oghenevwede Agboro-jimoh
Founding Board Member
Oghenevwede is a dedicated human services professional with extensive experience in person-centered planning and collaborative care systems. His career is defined by a deep commitment to advocacy, ensuring that service delivery remains rooted in the goals, dignity, and self-determination of the individuals he serves.
A specialist in multidisciplinary coordination and ethical practice, Oghenevwede brings a rigorous focus on accountability to the Hope & Hustle Africa board. He is driven by mission-focused work that prioritizes people over profit, utilizing his skills in stakeholder relationship management to create lasting community impact. His belief in the power of self-advocacy and structured support systems is central to his work in fostering sustainable growth and opportunity across the continent.
Godwin Akandu
Founding Board Member
Godwin brings a unique perspective to the foundation, shaped by a career dedicated to healthcare, public safety, and community service. With extensive experience in both skilled nursing and corrections, he has spent his professional life advocating for the well-being and security of individuals within complex systems.
A naturalized U.S. citizen deeply rooted in his Nigerian heritage, Godwin embodies the bridge between international resources and local needs. His leadership is defined by a resolute commitment to compassionate service, often channeled through grassroots outreach and faith-based initiatives. He believes that sustainable change is built on the pillars of health, safety, and economic opportunity, driving his passion for empowering underserved populations across West Africa and beyond.