Kriola Star was born from a vision: to offer Cape Verdean women the visibility, respect, and opportunities they had long been denied in sports. More than just a basketball team, it is an empowerment movement, using the game as an entry point to build confidence, leadership, and pride. At the heart of this initiative is Altheah Ramos-Almeida, who, after years of working for men's basketball in Cape Verde, launched Kriola Star on May 5, 2025, so that women would finally have a platform to compete and shine.

Altheah was born and raised in Hyannis, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, the daughter of Cape Verdean parents originally from Brava. The second youngest of ten siblings, she learned the meaning of teamwork and resilience early on. Basketball was her first love: she played varsity basketball in high school, but she also always harbored a passion for storytelling and creating platforms for others to be heard.

This passion first came to life with Kriol Star, the Cape Verdean men's team founded by her husband, Joel Almeida. As Team Manager and Head of Media/Communications, she filmed the entire "Road to BAL" season, conducted interviews, and created the media identity that helped propel the team to the BAL, ESPN Africa, and Forbes Africa. Observing the men's success, she became convinced: women deserve the same visibility and opportunities.

From the beginning, Kriola Star's mission has been empowerment through opportunity. "Basketball is the entry point, but it's about so much more than the game. We're building confidence, leadership, and a system where women in Cape Verde feel it's possible to achieve their dreams," Altheah explains.

Campaigns like Keep the Dream Alive and EmpowHer were launched to raise funds, awareness, and show that Cape Verdean women not only had a place in the conversation, but could lead it.

For the entrepreneur, empowerment in the Cape Verdean context means breaking down barriers. “It's about creating visibility, access, and respect for women who have been ignored for too long. It's about giving them the tools and the stage to prove that they have an essential place in society,” she says.

The project is already inspiring young girls who contact Altheah by seeing themselves reflected in Kriola Star's mission. "I want them to see themselves as stars: capable of competing, leading, and excelling at the highest level," she adds.

The road hasn't been easy, however. "The biggest challenge is resources—financial and institutional. And yes, it's harder for women to get support. For men, investment comes more easily because their value is already recognized. For women, it first has to be proven," Altheah emphasizes. For her, financial support is the foundation: it means being able to travel, train, compete, and, most importantly, pay the players. "The women's national team wasn't paid to play, and I want to change that. These women deserve to be valued for the time and energy they dedicate to this sport."

Kriola Star's short-term goal is clear: to participate in the AWBL qualifiers and make a successful debut on the continental stage. It also aims to expand the project to include youth training programs, strengthen coaching, and build international partnerships. The long-term vision is ambitious but specific: "Success would mean that Kriola Star becomes fully sustainable, with our own infrastructure and academies, and that Cape Verdean women play professionally around the world."

But the impact extends far beyond the basketball court. The second-generation Cape Verdean entrepreneur sees Kriola Star as a vehicle for cultural change for Cape Verde, an opportunity to create jobs, promote gender equality, and strengthen national pride. “Beyond sports, I see it as a way to empower women to lead in all spaces, create jobs, and transform culture. It’s about national pride and showing the world that Cape Verde can produce excellence.”

For the founder, Kriola Star is a deeply personal project. “It means everything. As someone who has worked in basketball as a journalist, team manager, and entrepreneur, this is my way of giving back. It’s my heart, my passion, and my legacy for Cape Verdean women.”

His message to the next generation is powerful and simple: "Your dreams are legitimate and you don't need permission to pursue them. You carry the strength within you and you can accomplish anything you set your mind to."

Kriola Star is still in its infancy, but it already embodies a symbol of empowerment and hope for young women in Cape Verde. A true platform of visibility and empowerment, it represents a promise: their sacrifices, talent, and hard work will no longer remain in the shadows.