Francois Tuyishime, MA COEX’17, is the owner and operator of Yego Coffee, named one of the Boston Globe’s best coffee shops around Boston. Before becoming a local entrepreneur, he was a student in Heller’s Conflict Resolution and Coexistence (COEX) Program, pursuing an education of remarkable significance to him and his community.
From Rwanda to Heller
A native of Southwestern Rwanda, Francois lived through the genocide against the Tutsi in 1994 and saw firsthand the power of a community to maintain hope in the face of tragedy. After hearing about Heller and the COEX program from a primary school friend who had recently graduated, Francois knew immediately that he wanted to follow a similar path.
Francois’ journey from Rwanda to Heller marked a new beginning in more ways than one—it wasn’t just his first time in America, it was also his first time boarding a plane. He remembers the transition being both exciting and challenging. Not only was he adapting to a new school system which differed greatly from the system in Rwanda, he also needed to learn a completely new language. Francois rose to the challenge with optimism and enthusiasm, taking extra classes in professional writing and finding support in his peers. “Heller is a diverse community made up of people from all over the world. I got to learn so much from everyone—without their help, I don’t know if I would have been able to finish. It wasn’t easy, but after a few weeks, I was up to speed on everything.”
Finding Community in Coffee
Despite the striking change from his hometown in Rwanda, Francois immediately embraced his new home in Waltham, spending free time exploring the lively neighborhoods and vibrant food scene. But, for his favorite cup of coffee, he didn’t have to travel too far. “The Starbucks in the Zinner Forum was where my coffee adventure truly began. It was always a busy place where everyone could gather and enjoy a cup of coffee and a sense of community. I would try something new on the menu every day and Rose, the barista, would teach me all about making different drinks.”
Francois, whose family has worked in coffee bean farming for over four decades, recognized an opportunity to use his entrepreneurial skills to bring together his knowledge of the coffee industry and his passion for connection. After graduating from Heller in 2017, he became certified as a professional coffee roaster and learned the ins and outs of the business while working for a coffee company in Framingham.
When he decided to start his own venture, Francois knew he didn’t want to stray too far from the Greater Boston area that he had grown to love, and, in 2022, he signed a lease to open his first coffee shop in Somerville. “It was important to open our shop somewhere we could foster relationships and build a sense of community. Because we’re located in Teele Square, we get lots of foot traffic and have regular customers, including alumni and students from Brandeis.”
The coffee shop’s name, Yego, a word that means “yes” in Kinyarwanda, the language of Rwanda, perfectly sums up the attitude that Francois brings to the shop and his customers every day. It’s this positivity that fueled the resilience of Francois’ family and community during and in the aftermath of the genocide. Today, the coffee is grown and processed by his family in Rwanda, then imported and roasted by Francois every week.
Like the Starbucks in the Zinner Forum that inspired him, Yego has become a place for people to gather. “You connect to each other in so many ways and then you grow together. You see parents with their babies coming in and get to watch those children grow up. Now my wife and I are having a baby and we get to celebrate with our customers who have become like family.”
Advice for Current Students
Make the most of your Heller connections. “The Heller community is a diverse group of people who want to learn and grow together—take the time to get to know each other. Not only is the academic experience you get from Heller one of the best in the world, you also carry Heller’s legacy with you wherever you go. Even if you decide you want to pursue a different path than the one you had planned, Heller has so many branches that are spread all over the world. Grab onto all the opportunities you can and keep your head up. You’ll be walking down the aisle at graduation before you know it. And, of course, come to Yego Coffee for the best coffee in Boston!”