About Us

Leadership Team

• Founders and Board Chairs: Kalé Z. Kponee-Shovein and Zachary J. Kponee-Shovein
• Chief Operating Officer: Florence Gbarabe Onubulachi

“While no one liberates himself by his own efforts alone, neither is he liberated by others”-Pablo Freire

Acknowledging that a peculiar set of historical circumstances has endowed the donors of this foundation with a financial power, we commit to use this position for the furtherance of education and empowerment.  Recognizing the principle of efficiency, we commit to beginning our work in the places where our actions will have the greatest effects. Knowing the historical suffering of Rivers State indigenes, and the especially acute needs of Ogoni youth, the Kponee-Shovein Foundation exists to provide financial assistance to scholars and small business owners in Rivers State, Nigeria, and service initiatives to Ogoni communities. We share a belief that empowerment creates the possibility of change and so have committed to directing our financial resources to empowering Rivers State indigenes.

–Kalé Z. Kponee-Shovein and Zachary J. Kponee-Shovein

Dr. Kalé Z. Kponee-Shovein is an Ogoni woman who fled the military dictatorship’s violence during the 1990s and later immigrated to the United States as a refugee. Dr. Kponee-Shovein sustained her commitment to Ogoniland throughout her time in the United States and was motivated to pursue a career in epidemiology and environmental health from her desire to use scientific methods in service to her community. She received joint Doctor of Science degrees in Epidemiology and Environmental Health from Harvard University. Dr. Kponee-Shovein is currently an adjunct lecturer in epidemiology at Harvard University.

Mr. Zachary J. Kponee-Shovein was born in Minnesota in the United States. He became aware of Ogoni and Niger delta issues through his studies of global political economy. Mr. Kponee-Shovein is an attorney who received a Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University.

Ms. Florence Gbarabe Onubulachi is an Ogoni woman residing in Rivers State, Nigeria and is a registered Town Planner (RTP). She is committed to working with the Kponee-Shovein Foundation as the Chief Operating Officer. She received a Masters degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Rivers State University, and her career path is in socio-economic (livelihood) planning. Ms. Gbarabe believes in the core vision of putting smiles on faces through community-driven projects and sustainability.