CDMA ACT
CDMA Talks banner
CDMA Talks

Dream Makers Talk

Empowering Voices, Inspiring Communities

Featured Episodes

The three most recent episodes from each featured channel, refreshed automatically every week.

The Science of Gratitude

@TheScience-of-Gratitude

Subscribe on YouTube
Sep 9, 2026

What They Tried To Take From Him | Dr. Valerie Mukanga | Dr. Maurice Lewis

What happens when people decide you don’t belong? Dr. Maurice W. Lewis faced discrimination, rejection, and moments that could have made him give up. He was even told, “Take your C’s and get the hell out.” But that wasn’t the end of his story. In this powerful conversation, Dr. Lewis shares how those painful experiences shaped his faith, strengthened his purpose, and fueled his passion for mentoring and advocating for others. Dr. Valérie Mukanga also shares a personal tribute to the mentor who helped guide her through some of her own difficult seasons. This is a conversation about rejection, resilience, faith, mentorship, and refusing to let someone else’s opinion determine your future. Click the link to watch the full episode. Thank you for watching. Like, share, comment, and subscribe. #Gratitude #Education #Thankfulness #TheScienceOfGratitude #DrMauriceLewis #FaithAndPurpose #OvercomingAdversity #Mentorship #Resilience Dr. Maurice W. Lewis is a dentist, minister, educator, and mentor whose life and career have been shaped by faith, perseverance, and a commitment to helping others. With experience in dental practice, academia, and ministry, he has dedicated much of his life to educating and encouraging the next generation of dental professionals. Through his own experiences with poverty, discrimination, rejection, and adversity, Dr. Lewis developed a passion for advocating for minority students and helping others recognize their potential. His story is a powerful reminder that difficult seasons do not have to define us—and that with faith, discipline, mentorship, and perseverance, even painful experiences can become part of a greater purpose.

Watch on YouTube
Sep 2, 2026

What Happens When Talent Meets Purpose? | Dr. Valérie Mukanga | Danny Mulenda

What do you do when you realize the gift inside you was never meant to stop with you? Danny Mulenda’s journey from Congo to the United States as an international student was filled with uncertainty, challenges, and moments that could have easily changed the direction of his life. But through those experiences, he began to see his journey differently. Today, Danny is using his talent, experience, and passion to create opportunities for others through Congo Tech Connect and Congo Directory. His “3D Movement” — discover, develop, and distribute — is rooted in a simple but powerful idea: what you have been given can become a blessing to someone else. In this conversation, Danny and Dr. Valérie Mukanga talk about faith, gratitude, entrepreneurship, leadership, and what it really takes to turn talent into something that creates lasting impact. Danny Mulenda is a Congolese technology and entrepreneurship leader who serves as the CEO and Founder of Congo Tech Connect (CTC). He is also the Co-Founder of Congo Directory, a platform dedicated to providing a centralized, accessible, and community-driven marketplace for Congolese professionals. Through his work, Danny is actively promoting technology, digital transformation, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He has participated in major forums and youth-focused initiatives, where he advocates for building a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem and empowering young Congolese to create innovative and sustainable businesses. Danny Mulenda is known for advocating innovation, mentorship, discipline, and continuous learning as essential ingredients for entrepreneurial success. He encourages entrepreneurs to embrace emerging technologies, surround themselves with the right mentors, and continually develop their skills to remain competitive. Through Congo Tech Connect and Congo Directory, he is committed to connecting people, technology, and opportunities while contributing to the growth of the Congolese technology and entrepreneurship ecosystem and inspiring a new generation of innovators and business leaders. Thank you for watching. Like, share, comment, and subscribe. #gratudide #grateful #impact #tech #TheScienceOfGratitude #DannyMulenda #TalentToImpac

Watch on YouTube
Aug 26, 2026

I Lost My Memory After My Life Fell Apart | Dr. Valerie Mukanga | Louise Ngoy

What happens when life becomes so overwhelming that you begin losing more than the life you knew—you begin losing your memory? In this deeply personal episode of The Science of Gratitude, my longtime friend Louise Ngoy shares what happened after the breakdown of her nearly 15-year marriage. While raising three children and navigating separation, COVID, and the emotional weight of everything happening around her, Louise kept pushing forward—until she realized she wasn't okay. Depression had set in, she was living on autopilot, and even her memory had begun to fail her. Louise shares how prayer became her lifeline when she barely had the words to pray, why she asked God to give her the heart and eyes of Jesus, and the quiet ways she began to recognize restoration taking place. Through unexpected acts of friendship, renewed strength, and a deeper relationship with God, she began finding herself again. Her story is a reminder that restoration doesn't always mean getting your old life back. Sometimes the life that emerges from the breaking looks completely different from what you imagined—and you realize you don't want to go back. Thank you for watching. Please like, share, comment, and subscribe to The Science of Gratitude. #Gratitude #Testimony #Faith #MemoryLoss #Healing #Restoration #GodsFaithfulness #TheScienceOfGratitude Louise Ngoy was born in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, where she spent the first eleven years of her life before moving to France with her two brothers and sister. Growing up between cultures has shaped her perspective while allowing her to remain connected to her Congolese roots. Louise pursued studies in biology and quality assurance in France, with part of her education taking her to the United States. She later built a career in clinical research, a field in which she has worked for more than a decade. She is also a devoted mother of three and, above all, a lover of Jesus Christ. Louise values balance—between faith, family, work, meaningful relationships, and time for herself. She enjoys moments of solitude as much as long, meaningful conversations with friends about life and the world around them. More recently, she has taken up walking, finding in it another opportunity to slow down, reflect, and simply enjoy the moment.

Watch on YouTube

The Rising & Thriving Podcast

@TheRisingAndThrivingPodcast

Subscribe on YouTube
Jun 5, 2026

Veterans Disability Appeals: You Can Win, But at What Cost?

Veterans benefits appeals, VA disability claims, legal judgment, veteran mental health, and disability claim backlogs are at the center of this conversation with attorney Michael S. Just. Most people think law is about one thing: winning. But what if winning the case is not the same as helping the person? In this 5-minute section of The Rising and Thriving Podcast, I sit down with Michael S. Just, a veterans benefits appeals attorney, to talk about the moral judgment behind legal decisions. The Department of Veterans Affairs reported that it processed more than 3 million claims in fiscal year 2025 and more than 1.5 million claims halfway through fiscal year 2026. But thousands of disability and pension claims remain backlogged, and appealed claims are tracked separately. Behind those numbers are real people. Veterans waiting for decisions may also be dealing with homelessness, lack of medical care, addiction, mental health struggles, and family pressure. That is why Michael says lawyers cannot only think about whether a case can be won. They also have to ask: What will this decision cost the client? In this clip, we talk about: Why law is not only about rules Why judgment matters more than certainty Why a legal win can still carry a human cost Why veterans benefits appeals require more than technical knowledge Why attorneys must consider the person behind the case This conversation is part of Season 1 of The Rising and Thriving Podcast, where we explore how people think and make decisions when the stakes are high. If this conversation is helpful, subscribe to the podcast so you are notified when a new episode is released. #veteransbenefits #VADisabilityClaims #VeteransAppeals #veteranmentalhealth #legaljudgment #decisionmaking

Watch on YouTube
May 27, 2026

How Lawyers Make Hard Decisions When the Answer Isn’t Clear | with Michael Just S01EP02

Decision-making under pressure, legal judgment, leadership, fatherhood, entrepreneurship, and responsibility when there is no clear answer and the outcome affects other people. What do you do when you have to make an important decision, but you do not have all the information you need? In this episode of The Rising and Thriving Podcast, My guest, Michael S. Just, and I explore what it means to think carefully when experiencing pressure and making decision that may affect the people around us. The conversation examines the difference between following rules and using judgment, the risk of leaving stability to build something of your own, and the way responsibility can shape how you lead at work, at home, and in your community. In this episode, we talk about: • Making decisions when there is no clear answer • Understanding the human cost behind professional choices • Leaving stability and accepting the risk of building something new • Leadership that adapts to different people and situations • Fatherhood, responsibility, and creating opportunities for young people • Learning to live with decisions when the outcome is uncertain This conversation is part of Season 1 of The Rising and Thriving Podcast, where we explore how people think and decide when the stakes are high. Subscribe to follow the full season. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About the Guest Michael S. Just is an attorney and the founder of Just Law. His work focuses on veterans’ benefits appeals. He has also taught law, supervised future attorneys, and founded the AAU basketball program Hoops Army. Website: https://www.mjustlaw.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About the Host My name is Yves Mukanya. I am a therapist, transformational coach, and host of The Rising and Thriving Podcast. I focus on helping individuals navigate identity, pressure, and decision-making in moments that shape the direction of their lives. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Follow me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/your_neighberhood_therapist/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@urneighberhoodtherapist LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvesmukanya/ Website: https://www.yvestmukanya.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hashtags #DecisionMaking #Leadership #LegalJudgment #Entrepreneurship #Fatherhood #Mentorship #HighStakesDecisions #RisingAndThrivingPodcast ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 01:06 Judgement Vs Certainty 05:22 Sustained Pressure and Burnout 17:10 Decison-Making Under Pressure With A Teaching Lens 30:56 Fatherhood and Long-Term Responsibility 39:00 Moral Weight And Reflection 43:10 Closing Reflection 44:31 Final Question To Close 46:14 Sign-OFF + Call To Action -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Watch on YouTube
May 11, 2026

Where This Conversation Is Going Identity, Pressure, and the Decisions We Make S01EP01

Decision-making under pressure, identity, leadership, and high-stakes choices. How do people think and decide when the path is not clear and responsibility cannot be avoided? What happens when the direction of your life changes and the decision in front of you is not as clear as you want it to be? This episode introduces Season One of The Rising and Thriving Podcast and the question behind this season: How do people think, decide, and become who they are when pressure forces them to act? This is not about quick answers. It is about understanding how decisions are made when: information is incomplete time is limited responsibility is real Subscribe to follow the full season. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About the Host My name is Yves Mukanya. I am a therapist, transformational coach, and host of The Rising and Thriving Podcast. I focus on helping individuals navigate identity, pressure, and decision-making in moments that shape the direction of their lives. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Follow me: Instagram: www.instagram.com/your_neighberhood_therapist/ Tik Tok: www.tiktok.com/@urneighberhoodtherapist LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/yvesmukanya/ Website: www.yvestmukanya.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hashtags #DecisionMaking #IdentityUnderPressure #leadershipthinking ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 00:32 The Shift 01:10 The New Direction 01:59 What High-stakes Means Here 02:35 The Lens I Bring 04:04 What This Season Will Explore 04:35 Who Is This For 05:03 Closing -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Watch on YouTube

OYL Podcast

@dr.valeriemukanga

Subscribe on YouTube
Sep 11, 2026· Short

👀 Why does your breath still smell? #badbreath #mouthwash #oralhealth #dentaltips

It could be your brushing, flossing, medication, dry mouth, or even gut/reflux issues. Learn 4 things to check for fresher breath. 🦷

Watch on YouTube
Sep 8, 2026· Short

What if CONTENTMENT is exactly what you need in a difficult season?#Contentment #TrustGod

Pause. Reset. Refocus. Find something to be grateful for. You may not have everything you want, but you can still choose gratitude and trust God for what’s ahead. #Contentment #Gratitude #Faith #TrustGod #ThankfulHeart

Watch on YouTube
Aug 20, 2026

OPTIMIZE YOUR LIFE | DR FABRICE KALAMBAY | Why You Need an Exit Strategy Before You Graduate.

Getting the degree is the goal… or is it? Dr. Fabrice Kalambay entered dental school knowing he had years of demanding coursework, long study days, and clinical training ahead of him. But somewhere along the journey, another question became just as important: What happens after graduation? In this episode of Optimize Your Life, Dr. Valérie Mukanga sits down with Dr. Fabrice Kalambay, a recent dental school graduate and general dentist, for an honest conversation about surviving professional school while preparing for what comes next. From balancing school, marriage, and three children to finding effective ways to study and building the right support system, Dr. Kalambay shares lessons that helped him make it through dental school and secure a job before graduation. But perhaps one of the biggest lessons is this: don’t wait until graduation to start planning your exit. Dr. Kalambay shares why he began exploring opportunities early, how shadowing and conversations with dentists helped him evaluate potential jobs, and why he is already thinking beyond clinical dentistry to other possibilities for his future. Whether you are in dental school, preparing for professional school, or pursuing a degree you hope will open doors for your future, this conversation is a reminder that earning the degree is only part of the plan. The question is: what are you preparing to do with it? Thank you for watching! Please like, share, comment, and subscribe to Optimize Your Life for more conversations designed to help you live and plan with intention. ---------------- Dr. Fabrice Kalambay is a dedicated general dentist committed to providing compassionate, patient-centered care. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from Texas A&M College of Dentistry after completing bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Microbiology, with a minor in Psychology, at The University of Texas at Arlington. Outside of dentistry, Dr. Kalambay enjoys spending quality time with his wife and three children, staying active, exercising, and running. He values family, lifelong learning, and helping others achieve healthier, more confident smiles. #graduation #Career #school #carreerpath #OptimizeYourLife #DentalSchool #CareerPlanning #DentalStudent #LifeAfterGraduation #ProfessionalSchool #DrFabriceKalambay

Watch on YouTube

Dream Makers Talk

@dmact243

Subscribe on YouTube
Sep 11, 2026

J'ai construit un assistant IA qui me parle en lingala quand je traîne. Toleka !

L'IA me donne beaucoup d'informations, et je ne sais pas comment trier. » Une infirmière a posé cette question à notre première session. Voici ma réponse : un assistant que j'ai construit et baptisé Mosali. En lingala, celui qui fait le travail. 👉 dmact.org/fr/ai-series

Watch on YouTube
Sep 11, 2026

Toleka: L'IA ne parle pas trop. C'est nous qui demandons mal.

L'IA me donne beaucoup d'informations, et je ne sais pas comment trier. » Une infirmière a posé cette question à notre première session. Voici ma réponse : un assistant que j'ai construit et baptisé Mosali. En lingala, celui qui fait le travail. 👉 dmact.org/fr/ai-series

Watch on YouTube
Sep 9, 2026

Ma femme part en mission des semaines. Voici ce que je fais à 7h

Ma femme est infirmière itinérante. Quand elle part en mission, elle est loin de la maison pendant des semaines. Alors je me suis fabriqué une petite application : tous les matins à 7 heures, elle m'affiche un rappel, et elle me propose un message à lui envoyer. Un message court, chaud, tendre. Le mien, avec ma voix. Pas un message de carte postale. Ce qui rend ça possible, ce n'est pas le rappel. N'importe quelle alarme fait ça. C'est un simple fichier texte où j'ai pris le temps de raconter ma vie : nos débuts, ses journées à l'hôpital, ce qui la fatigue, ce qui la fait rire, les mots qu'elle aime entendre et ceux qui la blessent. Ce fichier-là, dans le monde de l'IA, ça porte un nom. On appelle ça le contexte. En anglais, on parle de context engineering. Et c'est probablement la compétence la plus utile, et la plus mal connue, de tout ce que l'IA sait faire aujourd'hui. Je sais que pour certains, ça ressemble à de la triche. Mais cette idée m'est venue parce que je l'aime, elle, d'abord. L'IA n'a pas inventé mon amour. Elle l'a juste rendu aussi simple qu'un bouton. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🎓 SÉRIE IA — 16 samedis, gratuit, sur Zoom Dans la Série IA, je montre exactement comment on écrit ce fichier de contexte. Pour votre couple, pour votre commerce, pour votre travail. 👉 Inscription : https://dmact.org/fr/ai-series 10h Dallas · 16h Kinshasa · 17h Lubumbashi Certificat après 10 sessions. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ CHAPITRES 0:00 Ma femme est infirmière itinérante 0:09 L'application qui me rappelle à 7h 0:22 Pourquoi un rappel ne suffit pas 0:55 Ça s'appelle le contexte 1:10 L'IA écrit le message 1:28 Je change un mot, et j'envoie 1:51 « Alors c'est de la triche ? » 2:10 Bienvenue dans le futur 2:21 La Série IA ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Une production CBNEXT × CDMA Think Tank. Community Dream Makers — dmact.org #IntelligenceArtificielle #IA #Diaspora #RDC #Congo #ContextEngineering

Watch on YouTube
What Is Dream Makers Talk?

A Stage for Every Story

Dream Makers Talk is a vibrant community media platform created to amplify the voices of our members and celebrate the stories that shape our community. Inspired by the spirit of TED Talks, this program provides a stage where individuals can share their experiences, ideas, and dreams — fostering connection, discovery, and collective growth.

We believe every person carries a story powerful enough to inspire others. Dream Makers Talk exists to make sure those stories are seen, heard, and valued.

CDMA Community Event
CDMA Members
CDMA Team
CDMA Connect
Our Purpose

Through Dream Makers Talk, We Aim To

This is where the community learns from the community — one voice at a time.

Highlight the diverse and inspiring stories of our members

Foster a supportive environment where ideas can flourish

Provide opportunities for individuals to gain community recognition and support

Encourage personal growth, innovation, and collaboration

This is where the community learns from the community — one voice at a time.

Latest Videos

Dream Makers Talk on YouTube

Visit Our YouTube Channel
CDMA YouTube channel
@dmact243

Cinq systèmes d'imagerie en un seul appareil · Dr. Giselle Kabwe #Shorts

CDMA TALK

Yves Mukania for CDMA Financial Lieteracy

Toleka:J'ai construit un assistant IA qui me parle en lingala. Quand je traîne... Toleka !

Join the Conversation

Dream Makers Talk Is a Movement

Not just a platform — it's a space where your voice matters and your story inspires.

CDMA Community Event
CDMA Members
CDMA Team
CDMA Connect
CDMA Events

Our Mission

To empower Community Dream Makers members through education, innovation, and cultural preservation — uniting Congolese excellence with collective empowerment.