TribesAndHistory: What is your name, or how would you like to be addressed?

Nde: My name is Nde, but many people know me as The Engineer MC.

TribesAndHistory: Awesome. So, how can our readers connect with you?

Nde: They can connect with me on Instagram at @YourEventMC, on LinkedIn, or through my website at youreventmc.com. And of course, there’s email too nde@youreventmc.com

TribesAndHistory: Where are you from?

Nde: I’m a citizen of the world. I was born and raised in Lowell, Massachusetts, and have lived in several places. But deep down, my roots are in Cameroon, Central Africa, specifically in Bamenda, and more precisely in Mankon.

TribesAndHistory: Beautiful. And what do you do?

Nde: Two things. By day, I work as a product manager at a construction manufacturing company. I’m responsible for ensuring the right products are released and that customers are satisfied with both quality and quantity. Think of me as the CEO of a portfolio of products, if there’s an issue, it comes to me.

Beyond that, I run Your Event MC, my own company. We partner with organizations to elevate their events, whether it’s a fundraiser, a gala, a corporate conference, or even social events. We focus on transforming passive audiences into engaged ones, which increases ROI, boosts sponsor retention, and creates raving fans.

TribesAndHistory: What inspired you to start Your Event MC?

Nde: Honestly, it all started by accident. Back in university, I was the president of our Black Student Union. We hosted a lot of events, but didn’t have the funds to hire a host, so I stepped in. My first “professional” gig was my friend’s wedding. I begged him to let me host it for free, just to cover my flight. That week, I binged videos of hosts from India, Australia, Nigeria, and Ghana, absorbing everything I could.

I gave it my best shot, and clearly, it worked, I’m still here. That first event led to more opportunities, and I kept showing up. I’ve since blended my engineering mindset with my hosting style, bringing structure, precision, and soul to every event.

TribesAndHistory: That’s amazing. Can you tell us more about Your Event MC and your unique approach?

Nde: Absolutely. I specialize in hosting high-stakes events, think galas, fundraisers, and conferences. I use a strategic framework I developed called T.E.C.H:

• T – Tailored Events: Every event is customized. I work closely with organizers, months in advance if possible, to understand their goals and build a tailored run-of-show.
  
• E – Entertain & Educate: People need to be both engaged and informed. If they’re scrolling through Instagram or chatting outside, the message won’t land. I balance energy and depth.
  
• C – Creative Flow: Transitions matter. Whether a speaker cuts their time short or a program shifts last-minute, I know how to fill the gaps, keep energy high, and maintain flow.
  
• H – High-Impact Results: Every event has its metrics. For a fundraiser, it’s money raised. For a conference, it might be sponsor retention or audience growth. I help reverse-engineer the program to achieve that impact.
  

TribesAndHistory: That’s powerful. What’s been a pivotal moment in your business?

Nde: Hosting the African Community Education (ACE) Gala in Worcester, Massachusetts, was a major. It was their 18th annual gala, and for the first time, they brought in an external MC, me.

At that event, I helped raise $9.1 million.

The mayor of Worcester came up afterward and told me, “I see you as a future leader in this community.” That moment reaffirmed everything. I was able to bring life, energy, and meaning to a traditionally “stuffy” fundraiser. I brought the fun into fundraising, and it worked.

TribesAndHistory: Incredible! That’s no small feat. So, how has your African heritage shaped your business journey?

Nde: My uniqueness is my superpower, and that uniqueness comes from my roots. Being Cameroonian and being an engineer, those aren’t limitations, they’re strengths. I once hosted an event at the Croswell Opera House in Michigan. It’s a very “proper” venue. Part of me thought I should lean into opera vibes and classical tone. But then I thought, “Why? I’m not Bob from accounting. I’m Nde from Mankon.” So I brought in Afrobeats. People loved it.

Authenticity resonates. We limit ourselves by trying to “fit” into what we think professionalism looks like. But people want the real. And when you show up as your full self—strategic, joyful, bold, it changes everything.

TribesAndHistory: That’s such an important lesson. So, what legacy do you hope to leave for the next generation of Africans?

Nde: Be your full, authentic self, but be open to growth. Being “authentic” isn’t an excuse not to evolve.

And most importantly, think bigger. Don’t aim to be the best Cameroonian MC in your city. Aim to be one of the best in the world. I’ve hosted Nigerian, Mexican, Japanese, and Cameroonian events. That’s intentional. I never wanted to be boxed in as “just” the Cameroonian MC.

Look at someone like Trevor Noah. He didn’t stop in South Africa. He went global. Don’t be a big fish in a small pond. Jump into the ocean.

TribesAndHistory: Love that. What about your heritage makes you proud?

Nde: My name. It’s powerful. I was named after a warrior, and I carry that spirit with me. My last name, Kimbangen, means rainwater. And when it rains, you hear it. When I show up, you’ll know I’m there.

What I love most about my heritage is the community. Even people who don’t know me personally will see my name and immediately say, “That’s my brother.” That unity is everything.

TribesAndHistory: Any final wisdom you’d like to leave with our readers?

Nde: Whatever you’re doing, aim to be the best. Most people don’t want it badly enough, and that’s the truth. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or job-seeking, effort matters. Apply pressure.

There’s a story I heard from Alex Hormozi: someone complained they passed out 500 flyers with no results. His mentor said, “My sample size is 5,000 flyers a day.” So if it feels hard, that’s because it is. Raise your expectations, raise your output. That’s how you win.