As part of the first cohort of MansA Lab, Romy Alula is developing Goumies Creative, a project at the intersection of technology, creativity, and Afro-diasporic cultures. By leveraging digital tools, she seeks to open up new possibilities for artists and strengthen their autonomy in developing their projects.
By Selma Chougar
Published on January 6, 2026
Romy Alula embraces multiple identities. She calls herself Goumies—a self-proclaimed “web auntie,” dancer, union activist, and creative technologist. It’s a self-assured blend of identities, reflecting her life story. Born in Belgium to Congolese engineer parents, she grew up in France, in the Paris region, as one of five siblings. From a very early age, two worlds coexisted: the scientific rigor she inherited from her family and a deep immersion in Congolese, Caribbean, and Afro-diasporic musical cultures.
Initially trained in computer science, Romy quickly shifted her focus to the arts. She studied visual arts at Paris 8, then video games and animation at Créapole. Her first ambitious project, Kikira, already revealed her penchant for visual storytelling and hybrid worlds, even though the endeavor ultimately ended in academic failure. At the same time, she collaborated with artists, worked on music videos, and—without realizing it yet—developed a signature style that blends creativity and technology.
After attending business school and completing in-depth training in web development, she became a full-time developer in 2018. She took on a series of assignments at a digital services firm, often working remotely: “What is my strength today was seen as a problem back then,” she explains. Too creative for pure tech, too technical for traditional creative fields.
The turning point came in 2024, during her first performance as a dancer in a project that was broadcast internationally. It became clear to her: she wanted to work with artists. In March 2025, she officially launched Goumies Creative, an independent venture serving creators, cultural entrepreneurs, and artists—primarily those from the Congolese and African diasporas.
Goumies Creative combines creative services with digital projects. Romy develops tools designed to empower artists, such as Lipanda—an app that centralizes event information without relying on social media—and Esengo, a platform for direct communication between artists and audiences. Through training, support, and digital products, her goal is clear: to bring together and empower creative talent.
Currently part of the MansA Lab incubator, Romy Alula is working to give shape to this rich and vibrant vision. More than just a business, Goumies Creative represents the culmination of a long journey—that of a creative individual who has chosen to transform her diverse experiences into a cohesive project, rooted in culture and focused on the future.
