Bisila Bokoko facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bisila Bokoko
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| Born |
Bisila África Bokoko Toichoa
June 26, 1974 Valencia, Spain
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| Nationality | Spanish-American |
| Alma mater | City College of New York Colegio CEU San Pablo Valencia |
| Occupation | Businesswoman |
Bisila Bokoko, born on June 26, 1974, is a businesswoman from Spain who also became an American citizen. She started her own company called BBES (Bisila Bokoko Embassy Services). This company, based in New York, helps businesses grow and sell their products all over the world. Before that, from 2005 to 2012, she was the executive director of the Spain-US Chamber of Commerce in New York City. Bisila was born and grew up in Spain. Her parents were from Equatorial Guinea. She later became a citizen of the United States.
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Early Life and Education
Bisila Bokoko was born in Valencia, Spain. Her family comes from the Bubi people in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. She once said that she is a "cultural hybrid" because she was born in Spain to African parents, became an American citizen, and has lived in New York City for many years.
Bisila studied at Universidad San Pablo in Madrid, Spain. In 1998, she earned a master's degree in Business Administration and Economics. In the same year, she also got a certificate in British Law from the University of Manchester. Later, in 2003, she completed another master's degree in International Relations at the City College of New York.
Bisila Bokoko's Career
Bisila Bokoko began her career in 1997 as a legal assistant at a law firm in Valencia, Spain. From 1999 to 2005, she worked as the Director of IVEX. This organization helped Spanish businesses, like those selling food or drinks, enter the US market. From 2005 to 2012, Bisila Bokoko was the Executive Director of the Spain-US Chamber of Commerce.
In 2010, she launched her own international wine brand called Bisila Wines, which are made in Spain. In 2012, she opened BBES, her global business development agency in New York. This company advises businesses in areas like fashion, lifestyle, and the arts. In December 2019, Bokoko was featured in the Polaris catalog by Visual Collaborative.
Public Speaking
Bisila Bokoko is a popular business and motivational speaker. She is represented by the Washington Speakers Bureau. She has spoken at many important events. In October 2014, she helped host an awards ceremony for women in business in Geneva, Switzerland. Bisila Bokoko also works as a spokesperson for companies like Pikolinos and Agatha Ruiz de la Prada. She also represents The Liceu Barcelona Opera House US Foundation.
Authoring Books
In 2023, Bisila Bokoko published her first book. It is called "Todos Tenemos Una Historia Que Contar," which means "We All Have a Story to Tell." This book is about her own life story. It shares the good times and challenges she faced in her personal life and business journey.
Helping Others: Philanthropy
In 2009, Bisila Bokoko started a nonprofit organization called BBALP. This stands for Bisila Bokoko African Literacy Project. Its main office is in New York City. BBALP works in countries like Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Uganda. The project aims to help more people learn to read and write in Africa by opening libraries. Their motto is: "with a book, you are never alone."
On April 17, 2013, Bokoko hosted a special event at the United Nations. This event supported the Maasai tribe in Kenya. Through the Maasai Project, over 1,600 Maasai women hand-embroider leather for shoes and bags. This helps them earn money and keep their cultural traditions alive.
She is also an advisory board member for the United Nations EMPRETEC Women Programs. These programs help women in Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East learn business skills.
Awards and Recognition
In 2019, Bisila Bokoko received the "Citizen of the World" award. This award was given by the Hospitality Committee for the United Nations Delegations (HCUND) in New York.
In 2020, Bokoko was featured on the cover of Vogue Business magazine's September issue. In the interview, she shared her story of leadership. She talked about moving from Spain to the US for an internship and working her way up in the business world.
In 2023, Vanity Fair magazine included Bokoko on their "Best Dressed List." She was named "The Most Elegant" alongside other notable people.
See also
In Spanish: Bisila Bokoko para niños
