Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sele Max Fuah. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Sele Max, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with talking about how you serve the underserved, because in our view this is one of the most important things the small business community does for society – by serving those who the giant corporations ignore, small business helps create a more inclusive and just world for all of us.

It has been 20 years and counting since the Liberian Civil War ended in 2003, yet the youth unemployment rate has remained nearly unchanged. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), youth unemployment in Liberia is estimated to be as high as 85%. This statistic is a stark reminder of the skills gap and lack of opportunities that plague the country. About Sixty-five percent of Liberia’s 5.2 million population are young people below 25, mostly in the 15-24 age group. This group is the strength of a nation unfazed for a shift in the economic paradigm, national growth, and prosperity.
Prepared young people, empowered with leadership skills, can literally take a country to prosperity. Unfortunately, in the case of Liberia, this population is currently underserved and not ready to lead the country in all spheres—from entrepreneurship and healthcare to education and even technology, a field where young people are leading globally. A few young people are ready, striving, and taking bold steps to change the narrative, but many are lingering and searching for opportunities to learn new skills or just get a job to survive.
The educational system is still not equipped to provide quality and relevant skills for young people. Most graduates from high schools and universities still feel unprepared, leaving many young people trapped in cycles of poverty and limited access to opportunities. Despite adversities, many brilliant and determined Liberia youth are seeking quality educational opportunities to travel outside of the country to explore better learning outcomes. Sadly, the good life soon kicks in, and these talented young Liberians may ought to stay in the western countries, returning only for vacations or after the strength of their youth is no more. I guess Liberia is not a exception to this. When experienced professionals return from the diaspora, most of them may already be retired and feeble to serve their country with strength, wisdom and vigor. The faithful few patriotic young people in the country trying to change the status quo and step up to the challenge to make a difference face many vices, including inequalities and a poor entrepreneurial ecosystem and structures to thrive.
However, amidst these hardships, initiatives like The Liberian Learning Center, J-Palm Liberia, TRIBE, SMART Liberia, and Smiling Faces International, a social venture I co-founded, are lighting the path to a brighter future for young people and the country.
Why It Matters: As a development practitioner, I realized and have witnessed firsthand that access to quality education and leadership development is crucial for breaking these cycles and fostering a new generation of empowered young leaders who see themselves as problem solvers and not runaways from national responsibilities. The lack of these opportunities not only stifles personal growth but also hinders the nation’s overall development. In a country where poverty is rampant, innovative solutions are needed to equip young people with the skills and mindset to drive sustainable change and build a prosperous future.
Nothing lifts my spirit more than inspiring and empowering young people to thrive in communities with limited opportunities. Liberia’s poverty is rooted in poor governance and self-centered public leaders.
In response to these pressing needs, a colleague( Edmund D. Taylor) and I founded Smiling Faces International while in college back in 2010. It aims to drive sustainable change and civic engagement by developing the confidence of emerging leaders through creative forms of expression, storytelling, and leadership training rooted in community-based innovation and cultural understanding. Our vision is to raise a new generation of young Liberians who are empowered and have access to the skills, opportunities and resources needed to facilitate sustainable change and civic engagement.
The social venture provides mentorship, leadership training, and creative learning spaces and communities for young people to learn new skills, engage in civic work, hone their creative abilities, foster innovation, and break free from the poverty mentality.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hello, I’m Sele Max Fuah. I live in Paynesville City, Liberia, a suburb east of Monrovia. Paynesville is geographically larger than Monrovia, and it has recently become the proud home of the Liberian Learning Center. This state-of-the-art facility houses Liberia’s first postwar comprehensive learning center and library, and it serves as a hub for personal and professional development with co-working and business incubation spaces.
The Learning Center project is incredibly dear to my heart because it’s opening new doors of learning opportunities for me and many underserved young people in Liberia and beyond. I feel deeply connected to the story of the learning center because its visionary, Leo Nupolu Johnson, a Liberian refugee who later repatriated to Canada, was inspired by his experiences of quality education and decided to build this center in Liberia. Despite many challenges, phase one of the center was officially opened in December 2024.
My own journey to becoming an award-winning youth developer began from humble beginnings. I spent my early childhood years in turmoil, internally displaced in a village with no access to formal schooling, electricity, or basic healthcare. Growing up was tough—I faced hardships for 13 years because of the Liberian civil war. At 13 years old, I was still in grade 3. My life changed when my aunt, Hawa Bolay saw a great future in me and decided to bring me to Monrovia to attend school. An opportunity of a lifetime was granted, I leveraged it and completed grade school within six years. The feat didn’t come with special accelerated programs. I studied hard, delayed gratification , put in extra work the results- I received double and triple promotions, gaining access to the education I had been denied for more than a decade. Access, focus, and determination made all the difference. God has been my anchor. Some call it genius, but I know I was created to fulfill a purpose. From village life to a villa in the city, education became my lifeline, allowing me to uncover my potential and excel academically. It also enabled me to discover and sharpen my leadership skills.
I didn’t fight with guns to overcome my fears and get out of poverty. Instead, I found my purpose in education. As Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.”
My experiences of adversity inspired me to dedicate my life to creating opportunities for young people in similar situations.
Getting into My Industry
My passion for youth development is deeply rooted in my personal story. The lack of access to learning opportunities during my childhood drove me to fight for educational access and leadership development for young people. I learned to transform adversity into opportunity and made it my mission to help others do the same.
Products/Services/Creative Works
As a youth development practitioner, I co-founded Smiling Faces International (SFI) in 2010. SFI is a non-profit organization focused on empowering youth and building the confidence of emerging leaders through creative expression, storytelling, and leadership training. I lead the design and coordination of all programs at SFI, ensuring we provide mentorship, leadership training, and opportunities to enhance creative arts, writing, and public speaking skills for young leaders.
Key Projects and Initiatives
• Write Liberia: In 2016, I led the design and coordination of Write Liberia, a program that has become a household name in Liberia. Over the past eight years, Write Liberia has empowered over 500 high school students and young people, helping them use creative arts to solve social problems and engage in sustainable social ventures. The program includes mentoring, creative writing workshops, and competitions, with many participants enrolling in prestigious universities worldwide.
• The Academy of Young Leaders (AYL): Inspired by the success of Write Liberia, through my leadership, AYL was launched in 2023 with 15 participants. The Academy of Young Leaders is leadership development program with support from Kaul2Action, an American charity. The Academy focuses on empowering high school students with knowledge, skills, and attitudes for servant leadership in the creative arts industry. We recruit and train students in digital content development, music, public speaking, storytelling, and spoken word poetry, fostering Christ-like leadership attributes.
Board Memberships and Additional Roles
• Board Member at Market Players: I serve on the board of Market Players, an organization based in Botswana that supports the competitiveness of startups and SMEs in Africa.
• Program Consultant and Project Assistant at Rising Youth Mentorship Initiative: I supported the community-driven all-girls club into becoming a fully registered non-profit that helps hundreds of teen girls in Liberia. As Project Assistant, I champion the issues of young women and girls and work to end Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (S/GBV) in the Mano River region of West Africa.
• Independent Consultant: I have supported grassroots organizations and the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Education to improve youth-led programs over the past five years.
What Sets Me Apart
What sets me apart is my unwavering commitment to turning adversity into opportunity. My personal experiences have shaped my passion for creating access to education and leadership development for young people. Here are some key aspects that set me apart:
• Resilience and Determination: My journey from an internally displaced child to a recognized leader in youth development exemplifies resilience and determination. I have faced and overcome significant challenges, which has fueled my drive to make a difference in the lives of young people.
• Proven Leadership and Impact: My work has earned me numerous accolades, including:
o Mandela Washington Fellowship Participant in 2024: This prestigious program selects 700 young African leaders across Africa to enhance their leadership in civic engagement, public management, and entrepreneurship.
o Hero of Change Awardee in 2023: Awarded by MTN Liberia, this recognition is given to top leaders contributing to Liberia’s growth and development.
o IVLP Impact Awardee in February 2022: The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) Impact Award, granted by the US Department of State, honors commitment to small business growth, youth and civic engagement, and building thriving communities.
o IVLP Multi-Regional Fellow in 2021: This prestigious fellowship from the US Department of State involves intensive training on Youth and Civic Engagement for leaders worldwide.
• Holistic Approach: I believe in a holistic approach to youth development that combines education, leadership training, creative expression, and community engagement. This comprehensive method ensures that young people are equipped with the skills, resources, and support they need to thrive.
• Passion for Servant Leadership: My dedication to servant leadership is evident in initiatives like The Academy of Young Leaders. I strive to instill ethical and transformative leadership attributes in young people, empowering them to serve their communities and drive positive change in Liberia and beyond.
Most Proud Moments
My placement at Drexel University in Philadelphia during Mandela Washington Fellowship was a life-changing experience for me. Ideal placement at a university known for excellence in experiential learning , Civic leadership and co-operative education.
I am most proud of the transformation in my life from being internally displaced to becoming a recognized leader in youth development in Liberia and globally. My journey is a testament to resilience, passion, and the power of education and leadership development.
What I Want Potential Clients/Followers/Fans to Know
At Smiling Faces International, we are committed to providing young people with the skills, resources, and support they need to drive sustainable change and civic engagement. Our vision is to raise a new generation of empowered young Liberians who see themselves as problem solvers and leaders in their communities. My work is driven by a genuine desire to create lasting change and empower the next generation of leaders.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

As I reflect on my life—where I am and where I came from—I count myself blessed and highly privileged to be a global leader and youth developer. My reputation as an award-winning youth developer and social entrepreneur, who has built and led successful social service initiatives in Liberia, a country with limited opportunities for young leaders to thrive, was built on an authentic passion for helping others excel and become better. I have always aimed to inspire others, push greatness out of them, and use my story of being internally displaced and lacking access to education during the most important stage of my life—early childhood—to encourage them. Despite coming from a low-income background or humble beginnings -had no access to education, I stood tall and decided to rewrite my story into something for others to gladly and excitingly read—not just a CV, but a living epistle of what education can do.
I have created a personal brand that inspires people from all walks of life—in Liberia, other parts of Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. I built a respected reputation out of integrity and a belief in the dignity and worth of all people. I live to make an impact, valuing service above personal gratification. As a servant leader committed to serving and building thriving communities and young people, I believe that nobody will build Liberia if Liberians themselves are not intentional and purposeful.
I started working as a child advocate, helping to inspire children associated with fighting forces at the Children Assistance Program as early as age 14, a year after I arrived in the city to go to school. The Children Assistance Program was a leading child development organization that had children’s clubs, and I led one of them during my early childhood years. Having seen the war as a child, I could support my peers who held guns. The day I entered the city, my eyes opened, and my vision was ignited. Something in me told me I was meant for more—more than my struggle. I learned, unlearned, and relearned to build a brand that transitions from poverty to purpose, from displacement to youth development. The recognitions I have received are testaments to my hard work and commitment to service, lifting others, and making a difference.
I didn’t overcome my fears and escaped poverty through violence. Instead, I found my purpose through education and youth empowerment. Purpose drives me. My journey from adversity to success inspired me to dedicate my life to creating opportunities for young people facing similar challenges. Some think I have arrived, but I know this is just the tip of the iceberg of a legacy I am building—and God is the plug.
My reputation is built on character, anchored in God, driven by purpose, and inspired to raise leaders to make an impact.

Any advice for managing a team?

At the heart of my journey is servant leadership—a commitment to serving and building thriving communities and young people. By serving your team rather than being bossy, you can increase productivity and creativity, leading to great results and high morale.
Here are some of my best practices and pieces of advice that have proven helpful for me. I love them and practice them in managing a team and maintaining high morale:

1. Serve, don’t boss: Serve your team and avoid being bossy. This will increase productivity and ignite creativity. People will produce great results, and you will be proud. This will lift your spirit, and everyone will be glad of your leadership and the role you play in their individual lives.
2. Celebrate impact: Proven results and records of impacts boost morale. Appreciate team members and show up to events or activities important to their personal lives whenever you can. As you work in a professional setting, personal lives matter and have ripple effects on the performance of team members at the job site or on a project. This approach is consistent, no matter how big or small the project is. It has worked at multiple levels and in different modes, both virtually and in person. You may not be the smartest, but these pieces of advice will change your life and motivate your team to do more. I experienced it firsthand.
3. Empathy over judgment: The team I work with, and the leaders I inspire, are authentic and have needs. I recognize their needs and empathize with their challenges without judging them. Many of them navigate challenges such as lack of transportation to attend training sessions or limited access to educational opportunities. I work with them genuinely, helping each person I encounter tap into the depth of their leadership potential. This keeps them motivated and glued to my style. People feel it when you are real and deeply care about them more than the tasks you want them to do.
4. Inspire and connect: I continue to inspire and coach without pretending to know more than them, helping them see the friend in me. Regardless of their age, education level, or skill set, they see me as a go-to person for support and connection. A team is more than a group of people—vision connects us, and purpose drives each person who forms part of the team.
5. Value independence and growth: Value independence, allowing room for mistakes, and supporting and providing guidance are some of the best strategies I have used to develop teams nationally, regionally, and internationally. I work with different teams, many of whom are more talented and gifted than I am. Many volunteer their time and resources to support the work I do here in Liberia. They know I care and am committed to change more than elevating my self-esteem. Having lacked access, I build teams to help create and link young people to opportunities. The efforts required to start and maintain professional relationships are consistent with the regimens for keeping and maintaining thriving relationships.
6. Foster support and collaboration: The fact that I can call on someone more skilled than I am, and they are willing to support me, boosts my morale and helps me keep doing great things. I know I am not alone, and people are important in creating and maintaining change. Amazing people are everything.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selemaxfuah?igsh=MWRnbTRiajFpM2s3MQ==
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selemaxfuah/
• Other: 2022 IVLP Impact Award Recipient- https://meridian.org/profile/sele-max-fuah/

  2024 Mandela Washington Fellow at Drexel University –
  ttps://drexel.edu/global/partnerships/mandela-washington-fellowship/2024/Sele%20Max%20Fuah/

Image Credits

Picture credits

1. Arthur Togba ( The Elite Shooter), one of the young leaders i work in Liberia.. He takes most of the pictures of activities i lead and personal pictures shared here .

2. The Mandela Washington team at Drexel University for the picture of me during certification