Sera Lubowa

BMW: Sera Lubowa!... BMW is anxious to know your background... Where exactly are you from?
Sera: Well, I'm a product of what happens when Rwanda and Uganda come together! I represent Uganda with all I have... Born and raised (sort of). I came to America when I was 6 years old after living in France briefly.

BMW: Well how did you find yourself in the modelling department especially in a very competitive environment like yours?
Sera: I was a graduate from a dance/performance school and began backup dancing for artists. One day a photographer saw me and liked my look. From there on it's history. Competition keeps me moving. I don't really see anyone else in my category. No one really looks like me or has the same life story so I see myself as my only competition. Anyway I can improve myself without loosing ME. It's all thumbs up!

BMW: You were 21 when you were crowned Miss Uganda USA... That surely must have got you a number of gigs. How did that make you feel especially for the fact that most youths at that age haven't yet even thought of setting themselves up... Or is it just the industry?
Sera: It was a fun experience. As for the gigs... no. It didn't get me lots of gigs. I use the name Miss Uganda USA still but I also just use Sera Lubowa because I had a following before the pageant. I found that it's my name that gets me most gigs. Most people my age these days are actually trying to do more (well the ones I associate with). Glad to see some people making a life for themselves.

BMW: At BMW we love models with instinctive character and undoubtedly you are one. We see you involved in charity work and you have a foundation to that... Tell us more.
Sera: Thank you! One thing I know is that if someone can't help themselves, God is testing us to see if we can help them. Is humanity worth saving? Are we kind hearted enough to give our last dollar to someone who might or might not need it more than us without being sure? Can we be kind even when we don't feel like it? I like working with foundations like Invisible Children because they actually give the money to the children, not themselves. And the foundation called KACI & I (Keep a Child informed & Inspired)... we take money out of our own pockets to get things done. I know that one thing I've taught my sisters is that Humility weighs more than just being kind.

BMW: Inspiring that is!!... What challenges have you met along the way in your modelling career?
Sera: My #1 challenge is getting people to trust in my skin color and my ethnicity. I have to convince people that I'm NOT Black American... I'm African. I have to let it be known that us Africans have different sets of morals and values than Americans, therefore we act and carry ourselves differently. Being of a darker skin tone is another thing. You put a light skinned girl with no experience and no looks next to a beautiful, professional dark girl - the light one will get the job. It's sick to see. I've seen it happen too much. Yeah, my mother is light but she taught me to love my skin and to work harder so I can have something more than looks to show the world.

BMW: Outside work, how do you spend your free time?
Sera: My free time is spent mostly reading books, writing music and thoughts. I also go out a lot with friends. I like throwing parties and going to parties. Being around people gives me fuel and inspirations.

BMW: Where do you see Sera in the next 5 years?
Sera: I see myself living in Uganda and USA working on furthering my career. I dance, act and sing as well so I plan on stepping back into those fields. I want to start plans for my dance school in Uganda within a year and then release my music album around then too.

BMW: Anything more that you would love to bring to BMW readers especially to upcoming models?
Sera: Ummm, yes. Embrace where you are from, even if it's from the ghetto... But turn it into something beautiful. Work hard to improve your life because nobody is going to do it for you. Thank you for the support and keep Mamma Land in your heart.

Sera Lubowa website