Imagine sitting in Benin Africa dreaming of coming to America and living the American dream.  I am from humble beginnings. I applied for the green card lottery with only a hope and a prayer. Those that do not know, the green card lottery is program where you can apply to come to America with your green card. I applied against my mother’s wishes. I am an only child, first born son and my father had recently passed away. I filed the paper work anyway, went through all the medical exams, vaccines, and met the financial criteria. I won. I purchased my ticket and boarded the plane. Now fast forward 18 years later. I have a beautiful family. I own 6 franchise retail stores. I own and operate two successful seasonal Airbnb businesses by the Grand Canyon, AZ.

I’m originally from West Africa, my dream has always been to contribute to the development of my continent. As a young African, the idea of seeking opportunities beyond our borders is ingrained early on, with Europe, the United States, and Canada often painted as more promising destinations.

Growing up with this perspective, many high schoolers, including myself, aspire to leave the continent for higher education, believing it will lead to better opportunities and a chance at a brighter future. The American dream, for me, is about more modest aspirations—a comfortable home and a reliable car.

With this dream in mind, I left my homeland, leaving behind family and loved ones. However, despite the allure of staying abroad, I’ve always felt a deep desire to return. Many who leave Africa never come back, drawn to the perceived advantages elsewhere and adapting to new cultures.

My motivation is simple: My dream is return to my home.  I plan to learn and achieve financial freedom, not just for personal gain but to give back and assist those in Africa, especially the children who still dream of leaving. Africa holds abundant resources and boasts the world’s youngest generation. My goal is to return and provide guidance, showing the youth that we can achieve prosperity by developing our continent.

I believe in creating opportunities through manufacturing, generating jobs, and empowering the younger generation to contribute to Africa’s growth. This is my daily inspiration—to work towards financial freedom, not just for myself but to make a meaningful impact in Africa, fostering development, addressing health challenges, creating jobs, and transforming lives.

Cedric S Dossou