Building Bridges Between Black-American & African Communities: Meet Amplify Africa's Celine Kamuhangi
This article was drafted by Norman Busigu
Pictured: Celine Kamuhangi
A self proclaimed “local celebrity” and “African Music Ambassador”, Celine Kamuhangi has an infectious lust for life, playful personality and endearing energy that is hard to miss - and even harder to not be won over by! A social butterfly in its purest sense, Celine has an undeniable knack for connecting with individuals from varying walks of life. She has tapped into this ability to become a respected Influencer, Event Curator, and Social Media Strategist that has collaborated with a variety of global brands, including Coca-Cola Africa. Her most impactful work arguably has come during her tenure as a Social Media Manager and Presenter for Amplify Africa.
Pictured: Celine Kamuhangi
For context, Amplify Africa stands as a premier media and entertainment company for the African Diaspora in North America, boasting a digital reach of over 12 million individuals each month and a track record of hosting 300+ successful events. Amplify Africa is committed to amplifying African culture and the Diaspora’s voices through dynamic community engagement, captivating storytelling, and cutting-edge digital initiatives.
Kamuhangi’s recent adventures with Amplify Africa have kept her booked and busy at some of the worlds biggest stages… from conducting press junkets at prestigious red carpet events such as the 2026 NAACP Image Awards Creative Honours, to giving us backstage coverage at AfroFuture 2025, to interviewing Omah Lay during an exclusive listening party event for his upcoming album “Clarity of Mind”, to speaking with Godfrey (comedian) at the Africa All-Star Soiree (in celebration of the Basketball Africa League's sixth season)…
Pictured: Celine Kamuhangi and Omah Lay
Always armed with a sweet smile, vibrant voice and colourful dance choreography, she is on the frontline to ensure that audiences worldwide are kept in the loop of African and Black-American happenings and cultural celebrations. And if she isn’t being a socialite, you will find her in her natural flow state while dancing to the latest tunes, and spreading her innately rhythmic joy - by showing others like Afrobeats artist Afro B how to groove too!
But while talking to her on numerous occasions, it becomes crystal clear that the mission is much deeper than just entertaining audiences - she is consciously connecting the dots between African and Black-American cultures, to help unite us all closer together. And her worldliness makes her the perfect agent to embark on such an ambitious undertaking. Indeed, as someone who was born in Uganda but lived across the East and West Coast of America (with L.A. being the place she currently calls home while in the Global North), this has taught her how to adapt, assimilate, and appreciate cultural nuances. As a result, she slides through different societies and systems with ease, and when speaking to her, I sense she holds a deep appreciation and reverence for culture, community and character.
Pictured: Celine Kamuhangi
Never losing the rooting of home or love for her Ugandan heritage during her time in America however, what makes her story so special, is that she has been a consistent and subtle force that has helped African culture (in particular, Afrobeats) to gradually permeate in American markets - as it has grown in prominence and popularity over the last decade.
Arriving in America at a time when the appetite for Afrobeats was ascending, she possessed a unique peripheral vision of the landscape, given that she sits at a unique intersection of diasporan culture. As someone who co-exists within African and Black-American communities, she has been plugging the gaps between the two worlds with love and fun. A proud Ugandan at her core, she is intentionally committed to showcasing her country and the best of East Africa, who we both feel, is on the cusp of having its big “moment” - whereby the world comes to learn of the wonders of this region. I recently sat down for a catchup with Kamuhangi to explore all these themes and more.
Pictured: Celine Kamuhangi
You are a proud Ugandan living in L.A.; during our conversations, you’ve alluded to the surprising similarities you’ve found between the two worlds (Kampala/L.A.) that many might not expect… are you able to expand?
I think what surprises people most is how similar the energy is. At their core, both Uganda and L.A. are driven by creativity, ambition, and community. L.A. is actually culturally closer to Kampala than people might expect. I think that comes from it being a Latino-heavy city and its history of once being part of Mexico. Growing up eating rice and beans as a staple and then finding the same thing in L.A., even down to beans that taste exactly like home, was such a full circle moment. There is also a strong sense of family and community that Latino culture holds onto, which feels very familiar. Even the weather and overall essence of L.A. remind me of home.
Pictured: Celine Kamuhangi
At the same time, Kampala has this raw, organic hustle where people are building culture in real time, while L.A. is more structured. But the intention is the same. People are creating, connecting, and pushing culture forward.
You work closely with Amplify Africa, notably as a Social Media Manager and being one of their Presenters. How has this experience been, and what is your most memorable experience/gig with them?
Working with Amplify Africa has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my career because it sits right at the intersection of culture and storytelling. I have been able to not just create content, but shape narratives around African talent and experiences for a global audience. My most memorable experience has to be AfriCon. I love being part of something so special and important, especially being in the very rooms that enabled me to be where I am today. There is something powerful about contributing to spaces that are actively building the future of our culture.
Pictured: Celine Kamuhangi
Having lived in America for the last 10 years and worked within the creative industry (marketing, events, presenting, dance), you would have been at the forefront of helping to “break” Afrobeats into this market… fast forward to today, and both the “Best African Music Performance” category at the Grammys and the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart now exist. What has this journey been like, seeing our culture finally integrate into America? And, what were the biggest challenges in helping our culture cross over/translate into this domain.
It has been beautiful to watch it all unfold, to contribute to it in my own way, and to see friends play such a strong role in pushing the culture forward. L.A. is a tricky city. If you ask any artist, performing there can be tough because the crowd is very particular. Afrobeats was embraced much earlier on the East Coast, while in L.A. that shift really happened after the pandemic. At the time, the Afrobeats scene in L.A. mostly catered to an older generation, which left the younger generation feeling displaced until we created our own spaces. I credit the lockdown period, dancers, DJs, and promoters like Blaq Pages, Peter Lentini, DJ Major League, and Tomi Tribe for building spaces where both the music and the community could thrive even before the rise of Afrobeats. Now, being able to experience our favourite artists live in the diaspora has been really special.
Pictured: Celine Kamuhangi and Rema
While it is great to see Afrobeats recognized on global platforms like award shows, I also think it is important for us to build and value our own systems, structures, and awards with the same level of respect. Recognition from the West often comes from having their attention, but that same attention can and should be directed toward our own institutions. At the end of the day, no one understands and judges our culture better than we do. There is still a long way to go in building a strong and unified community in L.A., but there is something really powerful about witnessing that growth in real time.
You have the stern belief that East Africa’s “moment” is coming – this can refer to many things e.g. increase in tourism, expansion in our media/creative industries… can you explain in more detail what this “moment” looks like to you, and also what role Uganda will play?
I believe East Africa is a humble giant. It is one of those places you have to experience to truly understand, and a lot of people who visit never want to leave. There is a part of me that appreciates that we have not been fully discovered yet. It feels special to still have that sense of home before the rest of the world fully taps in. But at the same time, we are slowly opening up, sharing more of ourselves, and stepping into global spaces. East Africa’s moment looks like visibility, ownership, and infrastructure.
Pictured: Celine Kamuhangi and Sheilah Carol Gashumba
It is more of our stories being told by us, more investment into our creative industries, and a stronger global presence across music, fashion, film, and tourism. Uganda specifically has such a rich cultural foundation. There is so much originality. I see Uganda playing a key role as a cultural exporter, especially in dance and grassroots creativity that the world has not fully tapped into yet. That moment is coming, and it feels very close.
From smooth-stepping with Afro B, to teaching your friends the latest moves in the club, one thing that is undeniable, is the fact that you LOVE to dance! Why does this particular medium of expression resonate with you so much?
Dance has always been a part of me. It has gotten me through so much and continues to. It is the most honest form of expression for me. It does not require explanation, you feel it before you understand it. Growing up, dance was a way to connect to music, to culture, and to myself. Even now, it is how I communicate emotion, tell stories, and connect with people across different backgrounds. It is universal. It has also opened so many doors for me, but beyond that, it allows me to fully be myself.
Pictured: Celine Kamuhangi and Afro B
As a marketing guru/expert of sorts, you have seen the social media landscape change significantly over the last few years… what’s your advice for anyone looking to break into this space which is always rapidly evolving?
The biggest thing is authenticity. Trends and algorithms will always change, but people connect with what feels real. Consistency is also key. Showing up, experimenting, and learning what works for you matters more than waiting for perfection. Focus on building a community rather than just chasing virality, because that is what sustains you long term.
Pictured: Celine Kamuhangi
You have successfully organised sold out events/parties in Uganda, and helped to shine a new light on Kampala’s incredible party scene! What is something about Ugandan youth culture/Uganda’s creative industry that you feel most people don’t know, that they should know?
I think at this point everyone knows that Ugandan youth do not sleep. The party culture is unmatched. It is an entire ecosystem that is still very underexplored. A lot of Afrobeats artists have had their debut shows in Uganda, and that says a lot about how open and receptive the audience is. East Africans, especially Ugandans, embrace all kinds of music. I have not seen anywhere else where the entertainment industry is active every single day all year round the way it is in Uganda. There is always something happening, and that energy is a huge part of what makes the culture so special.
Pictured: Celine Kamuhangi and Joshua Baraka
Having lived across both the East and West Coast of America, what is something about Black-American culture you’ve come to learn over time, that particularly stands out to you?
One thing that stands out to me is how connected Black-Americans are to their history. In many ways, they are more intentional about preserving and understanding it than we are as Africans, or specifically as Ugandans. The depth of that history and how it shapes everything, from music to language to expression. There is a strong sense of identity and influence that has impacted global culture in ways people do not always fully acknowledge. Being immersed in it has helped me better understand the roots of so many things we consume today.
Pictured: Celine Kamuhangi and Godfrey (comedian)
You are a firm believer in taking control of your destiny, and not allowing the world to instil fear in you. How did you adopt this mindset, and how has this perspective helped you in your endeavours?
I think that mindset came from experience and learning to trust myself. There were moments where I had to move forward without certainty, and each time I chose to act instead of letting fear stop me. Over time, you realise fear does not go away, you just learn how to move with it. That perspective has allowed me to take risks, explore different paths, and build a life and career that feel aligned with who I am.
Pictured: Celine Kamuhangi
