Cleo Madia Bryant Paasewe was born in Liberia, West Africa. She graduated from the Women's Secrate Society in Bassa County in 1976. Cleo studied dancing, singing, cooking respect and love for all. She also learned understanding from the drum, and her culture by the elders in her village. After she graduated, she joined the Junior Ambassador, which is the Junior Troupe of the famous Cultural Ambassadors. Because of Cleo's hard work and strong dancing, she was promoted as a stage director of the Junior Ambassadors Dance Troupe. After two years Cleo was promoted to the Senior Troupe which is the famous cultural Ambassador, the second largest dance troupe of Liberia. After a year Cleo was offered a highter position to the Wonde African Dance Troupe. Cleo worked as a director of this troupe for six years.