Amini Bonane

Amini Bonane is a Congolese American social entrepreneur, community organizer, and advocate for women & girls.

She created Brains Then Beauty ™ in 2018; after witnessing the lack of accessible spaces, dedicated to the academic, professional, and personal development of marginalized youth, as they transition to and from college. She also launched a jewelry line called Nchi J. Co, that donates its profits to The Malaika School.

As a community organizer and advocate, Amini has successfully lobbied for education, children, and women’s rights. Amini is the Founder & President of the youth-led non partisan PAC Fight For Fairfax. During her reign as the 2018 Miss RD Congo USA 1RU, Amini proposed legislation, for George Mason to become the 1st Conflict Free Campus in Virginia. It was unanimously passed, after meetings and support from: U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, and his wife Interim President & Former 1st Lady Anne Holton. As Miss Black DC 2020, Amini took a stand against the media’s bias in its coverage of missing women of color. Her platform, called Find My Sister, became a national campaign to end the violence black women & girls face at home, at work, in school, online, and at leisure. Amini’s fear of public speaking came to an end, when she was given opportunities to spread awareness across the DMV and internationally.

As a delegate for Miss Africa USA, Amini created a petition to World Bank to restore funding to areas desperately in need of care. Forbes Africa invited Amini to attend the 2023 Leading Women Summit in South Africa, and she was also approved by the UN Secretariat, to share her platform, “From Reactive To Proactive”, at the international United Nations RP23 Conference.

DC’s Mayor Muriel Bowser has personally commended Amini for her work.
Amini is also the recipient of: the 2018 Seeds of Change Community Engagement Medallion, the 2018 Distinguished Quill Award for Community Engagement, the 2019 MLK Resounding Voice Award, the 2020 Freedom Fighters Fund, the 2021 Miss Black USA Community Activist Award, the 2021 Karen Arrington Trailblazer Award, the 2022 Northern Virginia 40 Under 40 Honoree List, the 2022 Fairfax County Social Justice Service Award, the 2023 President’s Volunteer Service Award, and the 2023 Pride Network Transformational Leadership Grant.

With higher purpose dictating all aspects of her life, Amini chose a professional career democratizing access to the technology industry. An avid writer since grade 3, she enjoys contributing to her local newspaper, and producing her own radio show. Amini serves as an ambassador for Girls On The Run, and is a proud member of: the Junior League, African Women Council, and the US Section of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom.

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