Meet Kelyne Noel of PULSE Events

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelyne Noel.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
PULSE began as a passion project deeply rooted in the vision of celebrating and normalizing African celebration culture through vibrant, immersive experiences. Andrey and I are both from West Africa (Andrey from Nigeria and myself from Cameroon) and we come from a background rich in event production. With over a decade of experience, we’ve worked on some pretty awesome projects across various cities, from Lagos to Phoenix to Boston to New York, including collaborations with Afrique Events, Brooklyn Academy of Music, OkayAfrica! and more. Our experiences taught us the art of creating memorable events that engage people, not just through music but through an entire cultural immersion that includes African food, sounds, and community interactions.

When we moved to Raleigh-Durham, we noticed the gap in cultural representation for African experiences. So, we founded PULSE as a platform to change that. Today, we bring people together for feel-good events whether through a dance party or unique themed experiences like Bolé and Party, Brunch and Banter, Afro-Karaoke and Game Nights.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been without challenges. One of our main struggles is educating our audience. While Raleigh-Durham has a growing, diverse population, many people are not familiar with or have misconceptions about authentic African entertainment. We have to put a lot of effort into explaining our events’ unique value—how it’s not just about music or another Afrobeats party, but rather a celebration of our culture.

Market share was another issue; as a relatively new nonprofit, breaking into the nightlife and entertainment scene was daunting. We needed to establish trust and build excitement for our events while ensuring we stayed authentic to our mission. We collaborate with other organizations like YANOSRDU, UIU North Carolina, and Sunday’s Amamixer to establish that trust.

Additionally, as with many startups, funding and resources for quality event production posed hurdles, but we found that our passion and connection to the community kept us moving forward.

As you know, we’re big fans of PULSE Events. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
PULSE is more than just an event-based business; it’s a movement dedicated to celebrating and normalizing African culture in underrepresented communities, particularly within the Raleigh-Durham area. What we do is simple yet impactful:

We specialize in hosting high-energy events and curated gatherings where authenticity takes center stage. Our guests can savor authentic African cuisine at Bolé and Party, engage in thought-provoking discussions with community leaders over brunch at Brunch and Banter, unleash their inner performer at Afro-Karaoke and Game Night, or enjoy an outdoor celebration at the Village Cookout. We also emphasize working with local vendors and artists, ensuring that every aspect of our events contributes to a community-oriented, grassroots feel.

What sets us apart?
Our passion for representing Africa is what truly distinguishes us from the rest. We don’t play about our people. We create a space where people can truly be themselves and know that they are accepted. We are known for our attention to detail, and our ability to make every attendee feel connected to the narrative we present.

Brand pride
One of the things we’re most proud of is how our brand has become a beacon for community and cultural pride. We’ve managed to create a safe and joyful space where people from all backgrounds can come together to dance, eat, and celebrate. It’s incredible to see the impact our events have had in terms of uniting people, breaking cultural barriers, and making African celebration culture feel accessible and appreciated. We’re also proud to support local talent, from DJs and dancers to chefs and vendors, giving them a platform to shine.

What should readers know?
Our offerings go beyond entertainment. We are all about creating a movement where every event is an opportunity to educate and immerse people. When you come to a PULSE event, you are supporting a bigger vision: a vision to uplift, showcase, and celebrate the contributions of Africans to the world. You’re stepping into a space that prioritizes and honors diversity, joy, and unity.

We’d love for anyone curious about our work to follow us on Instagram (@p.u.l.s.3) and join our growing community. Our doors are always open for partnerships, collaborations, and anyone who wants to be part of the celebration.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
The Africanist Podcast: This podcast investigates political, socio-economic, and cultural issues in contemporary Africa and the African Diasporas No Wahala Pod: a podcast where hosts Tune Day (@theycallmeTUNE) and Bawo (@JustBawo) engage in lively discussions about music, culture, politics, and trending topics within the African diaspora, often featuring special guests

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p.u.l.s.3/
• Twitter: https://x.com/puls3events
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@pulse.events?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc