Diane Mbombo-Tite’s journey from asylum seeker to entrepreneur is a testament to resilience and opportunity. After fleeing the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2015, she arrived in Albany, New York, with limited English skills and faced significant challenges navigating life in a new country. Drawing on her fluency in multiple languages, she founded Akula Interpreting and Translation LLC in 2020 to help other immigrants access critical services. Seeking support to grow her business, she enrolled in the Capital Region Chamber Foundation’s Entrepreneurial Assistance Center (EAC) boot camp, where she gained essential business education and developed a strategic plan.

Her business took another major step forward in 2023 when Akula Interpreting and Translation LLC became a certified New York State Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE), unlocking new contracting opportunities. Today, her company provides services in over 150 languages, empowering immigrants with access to employment, fair wages, and resources. With support from Empire State Development’s MWBE program and EAC training, Mbombo-Tite transformed her vision into a thriving business that uplifts communities and strengthens New York’s economy.

Find an EAC near you: Entrepreneurship Assistance Centers Directory
Learn more about MWBE Certification: MWBE Certification