Dieumerci Christel

Dieumerci Christel is an entrepreneur who champions education equity. As the founder and CEO of the online platform Enlightapp, he envisions how technology can elevate students’ voices and build more inclusive learning environments.

Christel was born in a Tanzanian refugee camp, and immigrated to the U.S. with his family at age 13. In school, he felt disconnected from his education and wanted to bridge the gap between students and teachers. While studying at North Dakota State University in 2018, he created Enlightapp to help students better engage with their education.

The AI-driven platform is a free tool for educators that uses AI technology, surveys, and data collection to provide insights into each student’s background — such as languages spoken and internet access at home. This aids teachers in better connecting and engaging with students to help ignite their potential.

The app is now used in schools across the U.S., where it has reached over 10,000 students. Christel was recognized by Forbes 2026 30 Under 30 – Education and as a 2025 EquityTech Fellow for his innovations that have the promise to improve educational experiences for students across the country.