About Florent Kalala

Florent Firmin Kalonji Kalala, a man driven by his thirst for knowledge and passion lives his life in the pursuit of becoming the change he wishes to see in the world. Born in Kinshasa, the capital city of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and raised in the Ivory Coast city of Abidjan from the age of two, he always knew his life would be one of purpose and meaning. Raised in a home where education was priority and human compassion even greater, Mr. Kalala finished his secondary studies with a vision to go much further. Speaking only French when he arrived in the United States, he spent six months learning English before enrolling at Mercer University in Atlanta, Georgia where he earned his Bachelors with a Portfolio of Studies in Accounting and Finance. Understanding how essential the financial climate is to the strength of a secure economical structure, his career advanced rapidly as he flourished in financial reporting for many enterprises. His ability to interpret a company’s financials while increasing the bottom line attracted the attention of major companies in the private sector. He then began managing, marketing and brokering services for entrepreneurs who sought to guide their companies to financial stability.

After seeing great success in his endeavors, and in the midst of refining his expertise in building businesses and changing lives Mr. Kalala encountered what seemed to be, at least at that time, an overwhelming life challenge that brought his life and his career to an unexpected and devastating halt. However, his unwavering endurance and perseverance during this time of despair ignited Mr. Kalala’s passion for uniting his two homes - Africa and the United States - through economic partnerships. It was through this life lesson that Bethesda Counsel was born.

As founder and CEO of Bethesda Counsel, Mr. Kalala is determined to connect the dots to underline a better Africa by improving the quality of life for the less fortunate in Africa through the development of solid infrastructure, quality low income housing and in the near future, expanding his vision within the health and education sectors. Promoting a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) ideology, Mr. Kalala maintains extensive, personal, and high level relationships across Africa Emerging Market Investment Community, cultivating strong relationships with African government officials and several private companies executives in Africa.

Mr. Kalala also sits as an executive board member of the Coalition for Justice and Peace in Africa (CJPA), a non profit organization promoting justice and peace for Africa.

His motto and force that drives him: “With Faith, Patience, Resilience and Perseverance Everything becomes Possible.”