The University of Georgia is proud to announce its selection as an Institute Partner for the 2020 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. Beginning in mid-June, UGA will host 25 of Africa’s bright, emerging Civic Engagement leaders for a six-week Leadership Institute, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.

Launched in 2014, the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) and embodies the United States’ commitment to invest in the future of Africa.  YALI was created in 2010 and is celebrating its 10^th anniversary supporting young Africans as they spur economic growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across Africa.  Since 2014, nearly 4,400 young leaders from every country in Sub-Saharan Africa have participated in the Mandela Washington Fellowship.

By Thomas Friestad

Though they’ve got only a few weeks left in Iowa, about two dozen business leaders and entrepreneurs from sub-Saharan Africa are making the most of it. Hailing from 19 countries, the 25 visitors were chosen through the six-week Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative, funded with a $150,000 U.S. State Department grant.

By David Dahmer

“I didn’t realize that being among these African leaders how I would feel so empowered. For me, they represent world history but also the future. We felt connected even though we hadn’t met before,” says Dr. Rev. Alex Gee. “There was something extremely powerful about people across the African diaspora [coming together]. We need to have more gatherings like this. It really moved me.”

On July 9, Dr. Gee and his team at Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development hosted the Mandela Washington Fellows of the African Studies Program at UW-Madison.