Who we are
A collective of grass roots leadership addressing endemic issues in our societies both in Kenya and the United Kingdom for sustainable social support systems.
Nia Upeoni is derived from two Kiswahili words Nia – Intention Upeoni – Horizon combined to mean intention beyond the horizon.
Reimaging learning to restructure colonial structures that has continue to reinforce the enequalities in our societies.
30 Participants Per Cohort
Our objective is to equip the participants with tools to understand the needed interventions that
are needed to piece the puzzle together.
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Systemic Change Agents
We are equipping, retooling and graduating grass root organizations through the transformative systemic change academy, who will in turn train and graduate more systemic change agents in the society.
Live/Offline Workshops & Dialogues
We are hosting workshops, townhalls, campaigns and circle dialogues to drive meaningful and sustainable change from the grassroot level, fully owned by the society.
Systemic Change Academy
We are the pioneers of the Africa’s first systemic change academy fully designed, owned and inspired by the deep desire to bring about real lasting change that is addressing the root cause of narrative emanating from colonial and post colonia impact.
We’re not just fixing parts — we’re cultivating a living, evolving system.
Where individuals and teams grow together through interconnected collective creativity and intelligence.
What is Nia Upeoni?
Nia Upeoni is an initiative of the Ubele Foundation — a pioneering academy dedicated to cultivating leadership among Black grassroots leaders across the UK and Africa. At its core, Nia Upeoni is about making systems change accessible and actionable.
The academy is designed to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to uncover and address the root causes of long-standing systemic issues affecting their communities. Through a hands-on and collaborative approach, participants will explore how power, policy, culture, and history interact to shape the systems around them.
This training will empower grassroots leaders to:
- Understand and navigate complex systems
- Drive sustainable, community-led change
- Mobilize networks and movements
- Advocate effectively for policy and structural reform
- Strengthen community resilience in the face of social and economic challenges
At Nia Upeoni, we’re not just fixing parts — we’re cultivating a living, evolving system of
leadership, equity, and transformation.
Nia Upeoni
It’s more than leadership training — it’s a space where we finally come together to understood how history, policy, and power connect. It gaves us the tools to map the system, question it, and begin to rebuild it — not alone, but alongside others like you. Now, when we step into community meetings or speak to local officials, we don’t just lay out what is broken. We represent new horizons. And we know we are not just patching holes — We are helping to grow a new system entirely that is interconnected and self-sustaining just like our earth is.
We Have a Great Team
We build strategic partnerships with change-makers, movement builders, and organizations committed to advancing equity, resilience, and long-term transformation within black communities and grassroots movements in the UK and Africa starting with Kenya.
Murigi Apollo
Apollo is a Kenyan social innovator and Country Director at MasterPeace Kenya, using art, music, and sports to empower women and youth. He holds degrees in Peace and Development, International Cooperation, and Diplomacy. A Global Youth Ambassador and Nudge Impact Fellow, Apollo serves on several boards and leads M-Spot, a platform engaging men and boys in ending violence against women and girls.
Michael Hamilton
Michael is a global leader in youth development, health advocacy, and community transformation, with expertise in counselling, coaching, and programme design. He has led initiatives across five continents, been published in the British Medical Journal, and served as an NHS Project Director and university lecturer. His mission is to create spaces that empower people and communities to drive change.