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Business Insider
22-07-2025
- General
- Business Insider
Shaping futures foundation: How Cordell Robinson is laying the groundwork for Africa's next generation
It began, as Robinson tells it, over a simple dinner with a friend. She encouraged him to explore Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam, suggesting he might find meaningful ways to give back. He took her advice, and what began as a short trip turned into the foundation for something far more enduring. Today, Shaping Futures Foundation, the nonprofit organization Robinson founded, is taking root in East Africa with the bold aim of preparing youth not just to survive but thrive. 'I went to orphanages. I met with council members. But most importantly, I talked to the kids,' Robinson says. 'I wanted to hear directly from them on what they needed, what they hoped for. That's what shaped the mission.' That mission is simple in concept, ambitious in scale: provide holistic, globally oriented education and life skills to under-resourced children and communities, starting in Tanzania, then expanding across the African continent. The vision? A state-of-the-art boarding school that integrates STEM education, agriculture, vocational training, and financial literacy, designed to instill lifelong learning and practical self-sufficiency. But building something that ambitious takes time and money. So Robinson, ever pragmatic, started where he could: a small orphanage currently home to three children. 'We're small right now,' he says, 'but those kids go to school during the day and come back to exercises and learning in the evening. We're giving them a foundation, not just academically, but emotionally and mentally, to know their worth and imagine their future.' At the heart of Shaping Futures is a radical departure from rote academics. Robinson wants to prepare students for the real world. The future school's curriculum will go far beyond books: plumbing, electrical work, road construction, culinary arts, welding, and home economics will all be core components. Students will also learn how money works, how to launch businesses, and how to engage in a global economy. Robinson further explains, 'It's about creating options. If they want to go to university, great. But if they want to go straight into the workforce or launch something of their own, they'll have the tools. They'll have the confidence.' Crucially, Robinson also sees global exposure as essential to developing tomorrow's leaders. His long-term plan includes international exchanges and travel, ensuring students are academically trained and culturally equipped. 'You can't fully understand this world if you've never seen outside your own community,' he says. 'Exposure changes everything.' For Robinson, Africa isn't just a region of need. It's a region of potential. With economies in Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Egypt, and beyond on the rise, Robinson believes the continent is set to become the world's next economic hub. But it must be prepared. That's where the nonprofit and Robinson's for-profit business intersect. As the founder and CEO of Brownstone Consulting Firm (BCF), a cybersecurity and program support services company, Robinson is also actively expanding into African markets. His goal: support local businesses, governments, and institutions in integrating cybersecurity best practices at the ground level. He says, 'We're seeing rapid tech growth, but without the right protections, all that progress is vulnerable. By integrating cybersecurity early in the development of systems, we avoid the costly and dangerous mistakes that come from tacking it on later.' In regions where digital infrastructure is still maturing, Robinson believes proactive cybersecurity combined with workforce training will be a key driver of this competitiveness. Though the structures differ, both Shaping Futures Foundation and BCF are extensions of the same belief: education, economic opportunity, and cybersecurity are pillars of sustainable development. While the Foundation builds from the ground up, nurturing children and training them for real-world impact, BCF enters from the top down, partnering with private companies and government entities to implement scalable cybersecurity and compliance solutions. 'We're building the human capital pipeline through the Foundation,' Robinson says. 'And through BCF, we're making sure the companies these young people will eventually work for or start themselves are secure, trusted, and globally competitive.' While the vision is large, the invitation is simple. Robinson encourages individuals, corporations, and philanthropists alike to support the Foundation's work, whether through donations, volunteering, or site visits. 'We have a partner, Catherine Naigisa of Ncamo Safari Adventures, on the ground in Tanzania who runs safaris,' he says. 'If someone wants to visit the orphanage, volunteer, or bring supplies, they can. Combine it with a once-in-a-lifetime trip through the Serengeti. It's about connection.' Future fundraising campaigns are in development, and the Foundation's website is set up for direct donations. 'Every bit helps. Whether it's books, food, time, or dollars, it's all part of the bigger picture,' the founder says. Robinson's work in Africa, both nonprofit and for-profit, reflects a broader philosophy: real economic transformation begins with people, especially youth. He says, 'When you invest in kids, you invest in generations. When you secure a business's data, you secure its future. When you give a child the tools to think critically, to build, to pivot, they can do anything. And when enough kids do that, entire nations change.' Africa may indeed be the next epicenter of global commerce. But for Robinson, it's not about racing to the top; it's about raising others up along the way. --
Int'l Business Times
19-06-2025
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
Brownstone Consulting Firm Expands Its Services, Bringing Its Cybersecurity Expertise to Europe and Africa
Brownstone Consulting Firm (BCF), a service-disabled veteran-owned cybersecurity and program support enterprise, announced its international expansion into Europe and Africa. Founded and led by decorated U.S. Navy veteran Cordell Robinson, BCF's global push aims to meet the increasing cybersecurity demands of rapidly developing economies while investing in long-term digital resilience and workforce education. With a foundation built on military-grade discipline, technical rigor, and visionary leadership, BCF delivers tailored cybersecurity services to both public and private sector clients. The firm specializes in AI governance, GDPR and HIPAA compliance, risk and vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, patch management, and cybersecurity training, among other offerings. Through this expansion, BCF seeks to strengthen digital infrastructure in emerging markets, particularly those on the brink of becoming global economic powerhouses. BCF's African outreach is more than just a business strategy; it's deeply personal. Robinson, whose Shaping Futures Foundation operates an orphanage in Arusha, Tanzania, has spent years immersed in local communities across the continent. "For me, this expansion is about transferring, yes, technology services, but also knowledge," Robinson added. "It's about empowering others to protect their digital ecosystems, educate new cyber professionals, and support their nations' growth sustainably." Brownstone Consulting Firm At its core, Brownstone Consulting Firm is driven by a clear mission: providing confidence in a world of cyber risk. At a time when cyberspace powers the backbones of governments, healthcare systems, financial institutions, and businesses of every size, BCF believes in one central ethos: cybersecurity is a true necessity. The company sets itself apart through its relentless focus on enterprise resilience. Whether addressing malicious cyberattacks or accidental breaches, BCF's methodology is grounded in repeatable, scalable processes that translate seamlessly from technical teams to boardrooms. "We believe in hardening digital infrastructure to be resistant to disruption and cyber threats," Robinson explained. "That means setting the right standards, creating practical policies, and constantly adapting to a rapidly evolving threat landscape." BCF's leadership, drawn from veterans, technologists, legal experts, and intelligence professionals, brings a multidisciplinary approach to every engagement. From FISMA and SOX compliance to the latest in AI-driven analysis, BCF carefully anticipates and solves cybersecurity challenges. Robinson, who holds many degrees, including in computer science, electrical engineering, and law, says the timing is ideal for global expansion. "The economic and digital development across Europe and Africa presents an incredible opportunity," said Robinson. "We're seeing rapid growth in infrastructure, digital finance, healthcare systems, and tech startups; true entrepreneurial talent, vision, and ambition. They deserve cybersecurity infrastructure that matches that energy." In Europe, BCF is offering GDPR-focused assessments and governance models tailored to the evolving regulatory environment. In Africa, BCF will primarily operate remotely in its early stages, leveraging local partnerships and digital platforms while maintaining a strong on-the-ground presence through its foundation's education efforts. These education efforts will include a cutting-edge training program, providing a pathway for African cybersecurity professionals to compete globally. Part of what makes BCF a leader in its space is its commitment to innovation. As AI continues to redefine the cybersecurity landscape, Robinson and his team are actively developing ethical AI tools that enhance the expertise of cyber professionals. "AI is not here to do the job for cybersecurity professionals," Robinson said affirmatively. "It's here to support them, to make their work more efficient, more accurate, and more strategic. We're building tools that can enhance vulnerability detection, simulate attacks, and assess readiness without compromising ethical standards." BCF's forward-thinking approach aims to ensure that cybersecurity professionals in all markets can leverage cutting-edge tools without being left behind.
