For the second consecutive summer, from June 16 to July 30, the Staley School of Leadership Studies will host a group of 25 bright and emerging young civic leaders from Sub-Sahara Africa for a six-week Civic Leadership Institute. Throughout the course of the institute, the Staley School will facilitate opportunities for cultural exchange and leadership development to advance the work of each Fellow by growing their capacity to lead change upon return to their home countries.
What is the Mandela Washington for Young African Leaders?
Facilitated through the U.S. Department of State, the Mandela Washington for Young African Leaders began in 2014 and is the flagship program of President Barack Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), which empowers young people through academic coursework, leadership training, and networking. The cohort of Fellows hosted at Kansas State University will be part of a larger group of 1,000 Mandela Washington Fellows hosted at institutions across the United States this summer. The Staley School was selected this year again to carry on YALI’s mission, after a successful institute last year.
Who are the Mandela Washington Fellows?
Each of the Mandela Washington Fellows are activists and leaders in their home communities and have been recognized for their accomplishments in promoting innovation and positive change in their organizations, institutions, communities, and countries. The Fellows are engaged across a diverse array of issues, including: youth development, public health, gender equity, agricultural sustainability, and disability rights.
Below are the profiles of each Mandela Washington Fellow highlighting their interests and achievements.
If you’re interested in connecting with the Mandela Washington Fellows during their visit or want to know more about the YALI Peer Network, contact Trisha Gott.
This Civic Leadership Institute directly aligns with the Staley School’s mission to develop knowledgeable, ethical, caring, and inclusive leaders for a diverse and changing world and to prepare civic leaders to address the challenges of communities both locally and globally.