Pascal Archimède met with Marième Diop, founder of the association La Teranga, which works to strengthen the ties between Africa and the Caribbean.
Who is Marième Diop, founder of La Teranga?
Hello Marième, how would you describe yourself in a few words?
Hello Pascal, I’m Marième Diop, a 44-year-old woman, born in Paris, of Senegalese descent through my father and Guadeloupean through my mother. I am a professional integration counselor, an independent development and academic coach. I’m also the founder of the association La Teranga, which aims to create cultural and human bridges between Africa and the Caribbean while promoting professional integration, well-being, and cultural transmission. I am known for my resilient journey and my commitment to helping others.
Marième, can you tell us about your Guadeloupean and Senegalese roots?
I am proud to come from two rich cultures. My Guadeloupean and Senegalese heritage is a cornerstone of my identity and inspires my initiatives. This dual culture has driven me since adolescence to create projects linking these two worlds, such as La Teranga, which celebrates the values of sharing, unity, and solidarity rooted in these traditions.
So, where did you grow up and live?
I was born in Paris and lived there until I was 9, in a multicultural environment influenced by my Senegalese and Guadeloupean roots. Then I moved to Guadeloupe with my mother and sister. At 14, I returned to live with my father in France until I was about 22. I then went back to Guadeloupe and, in 2005, settled permanently in Saint Martin. I returned to Guadeloupe in 2017 after Hurricane Irma.
What is your educational and professional background?
I became independent at 17, and after obtaining my BEP in accounting, I learned to overcome challenges by working in various sectors: restaurants, cleaning, handling, commerce, operations, and military service. I founded a private and corporate concierge service in Saint Martin. I continued studying while working, both in-person and remotely. I first earned a certification as a bilingual English secretary, achieving a high school level education. I then completed a project management certification (equivalent to a BTS). Today, I am trained as a personal development coach and sophrologist and hold a professional integration counselor certification, which is my current profession. I continue to grow and acquire new skills every day through the association, meetings, and projects.
Why did you choose the name La Teranga for your association? What does it mean?
The word “Teranga” means hospitality in Wolof, a central value of Senegalese culture. I chose this name to embody the spirit of welcome, sharing, and generosity at the heart of my association’s mission. It is also a way to reconnect and highlight the universal values shared between my African and Caribbean roots.
What motivated you to create this association?
It’s a project I’ve nurtured since I was 17. I was driven by the need to reconnect my two cultures, to promote education, transmission, and exchange between Africa and the Caribbean. I also want to support young people and adults in their professional and personal growth while honoring the values of solidarity, unity, and sharing.
What activities or initiatives does La Teranga offer?
The association offers many initiatives:
- A workshop organization division allowing participants to discover the culture, traditions, languages, cuisine, and dance of different Caribbean and African countries.
- An event organization division, where we aim to host small events annually and one major event per year, such as the 2023 tour of Sylvia SERBIN, author of African Queens and Heroines of the Black Diaspora.
- A professional integration division under development, including entrepreneurship support and business immersion opportunities in the Caribbean and Africa.
- A travel division offering internships and thematic stays in Africa and the Caribbean.
- A collaboration with Étoile Africaine magazine in Senegal, where we write articles about Caribbean personalities.
- A YouTube channel.
Do you believe Africans and Caribbean people form one people today?
For me, Africans and Caribbean people share a common history marked by similar experiences and values, as well as a deep-rooted connection that unites them. While their contexts may differ at times, their struggles and cultural wealth create a sense of belonging to one large family, though there is still significant work to be done for genuine reconciliation.
What synergies or bridges do you see between these two cultures?
I see clear synergies in the arts, music, gastronomy, lifestyle, and spiritual heritage. I am convinced that active exchange between African and Caribbean cultures can foster new forms of creativity while enhancing mutual understanding of their shared history.
What are your future projects, personally or for La Teranga?
My immediate goal is to increase the association’s visibility, develop new activities and initiatives, and secure funding to sustain its operations. I aim to include people with reduced mobility and expand La Teranga to Senegal by opening a local branch, Inshallah. After that, we’ll see where the wind takes us…
How do you envision the future of the association?
I envision La Teranga as a model of international exchange and solidarity, inspiring generations to better understand one another and collaborate. I hope it will become a key platform for strengthening Afro-Caribbean cultural ties and paving the way for sustainable cooperation between continents.
