Welcome to The People Behind the Programs, a blog series celebrating the voices, stories, and impact of the community professionals powering connection and belonging across the globe.

Today, we meet Favour Chibueze, a Software Engineer and Community Lead based in Munich, Germany. She's using her skills and passion to foster a supportive environment for African tech enthusiasts.

Favour didn't always know she would find herself leading community initiatives. Her unique journey has been shaped by the aspiration to provide others the same opportunities and support she once sought out. Let's hear her story in her own words.

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How It Started

I began my journey as a front-end engineer in 2018, coming from a non-technical background and looking for a place to learn alongside people on a similar path. That search led me to communities like GDG, HNG, and She Code Africa, where I found the support I needed at the early stage of my career. In 2019, I volunteered as a social media manager for She Code Africa, and within a month, I transitioned into community management, a turn I didn’t expect but one that revealed a path I naturally connected with.

This discovery became the foundation for scaling my impact. In 2021, I joined DevCareer as a community manager volunteer, helping thousands of African tech talents access career-transforming resources and opportunities. My journey eventually led me to the global stage with Mautic, an open-source project where I stepped into leadership as Education Team Lead, shaping learning resources, onboarding experiences for contributors worldwide, and supporting major community events.

What started as a search for support in my own learning journey became the foundation of what I truly enjoy: supporting people, opening doors for them, and helping them grow. 

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A Day in the Life

In my current role as Community Lead at DevCareer, I focus on supporting African tech enthusiasts through strategic community building that combines engagement, operations, and partnerships. My days are highly collaborative, working closely with our community manager and programs manager to translate member needs into action.

A significant part of my work involves building partnerships with tech companies, learning platforms, and mentors to secure valuable opportunities, scholarships, mentorships, and exclusive industry events for our members. I continuously gather feedback and analyze engagement metrics to improve the member experience, always keeping our core mission at the center: creating a supportive, thriving environment where African tech talents can learn, grow, and ultimately succeed. 

Every day is a dynamic mix of strategic planning and hands-on execution, but the consistent focus remains on opening doors and empowering community members to reach their full potential.

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The Tools that Power My Work

Slack is my go-to tool because it feels like the vehicle that keeps our community moving. It is where instant connection happens and where our community truly comes alive. For strategic operations, I rely on the combined strength of Google Workspace and Notion. Google Docs makes real-time co-authoring easy with our program and community managers. Google Sheets helps us track essential metrics and manage contacts, and Google Forms is indispensable. I use it extensively to gather community feedback and manage the entire application process for our programs, ensuring a smooth and organized participant selection every time.

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Advice for Newcomers

If you’re just starting in the community industry, my first piece of advice is simple: immerse yourself fully. Join different communities, observe how they operate, and engage actively. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, volunteer, or take small leadership roles early on. These experiences teach you more than any manual could.

Recognize that community work is deeply rewarding but often invisible. Progress can be slow, and the impact isn’t always immediately measurable. Patience, consistency, and genuine care for your members are what create long-term results.

Community work is not just a career; it’s a chance to make a real difference in people’s lives while growing your own skills and perspective. Dive in wholeheartedly, stay curious, and celebrate the wins, big or small, along the way.

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Resources I Suggest

For anyone starting in community building, I highly recommend The Community MBA by CMX Academy. It’s a practical guide that covers everything from strategy and engagement to operations and scaling, making it ideal for new and aspiring community managers.

Another excellent resource is the Community Management Resources repository curated by Amarachi Johnson. It’s a comprehensive collection of articles, guides, and templates that cover different aspects of community management—from day-to-day operations to strategic planning.

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💬 Let’s connect on LinkedIn — I’d love to hear from fellow community builders.

💡 The People Behind the Programs is a blog series that shines a light on the community professionals powering impactful programs around the world. Want to share your story or nominate someone doing incredible community work? Submit your spotlight here.

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Are you passionate about building communities?

‍Join the movement, start a CMX Connect chapter in your city or virtually and become a local leader in the global community industry. 👉 Apply to become a chapter director

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