Meet Souadou Niang, a Senegalese powerhouse who spent 10 years working as a housekeeper at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington, D.C., while studying in college. She learned everything from the ground up—eventually earning a spot on the management team.
In 2008, she returned to Senegal with a vision: to bring world-class hospitality to her home country. But banks said no—over and over. They told her a luxury hotel run by a woman was too risky.
She didn’t stop. 💪🏾
In 2017, she opened The Palms Luxury Boutique Hotel in Dakar—a 5-star experience built from a rented 10-room villa. Today, it features 20 rooms, a pool, a wellness center, and a strong mission: 80% of her staff are women.
Her next goal? Expanding the Afro-chic hotel concept across Africa and beyond. 🌍✨
Souadou’s story isn’t just about hospitality—it’s about vision, resilience, and proving that African women can lead on a global stage.
📍Dakar, Senegal
🏨 @palmsdakar
@blackenterprise
