YOUNG AFRICAN LEADERS ARRIVE TODAY IN WASHINGTON FOR 2019 MANDELA WASHINGTON FELLOWSHIP SUMMIT
While catching up with a friend, she said to me, “Seriously, get sleep.” And I responded, “I want to, but I don’t want to do yesterday’s things today. I prefer doing tomorrow’s things today.”
That was the case of Chaste, who was once a semifinalist candidate, missed out in joining again the over 700 Young Leaders, I did not send my application in on time, and one of the Alumni, Adepeju Jaiyeoba also attested when reviewing chaste application and wish it could have been sent in earliest.
A true leader lives in the future, and not in the present or in the past. They stay ahead of time. They ask themselves, “What’s missing in this world?” and they think of ways to bridge the gap. Inspired from Chidi Nwogu.
Yesterday, Elda David Kehinde Samuel, MWF on his LinkedIn Page announced “l Graduated as Mandela Washington Fellows. The YALI Fellowship is likely the most attractive and most popular Professional Development program to come out of the United States for Young Africans. As Fellows, we represent a sacred crop (0.9%) of Potential Leaders in Business, Civic Engagement and Public Management upon whose shoulders Africa’s growth and development is built on. We don’t take this responsibility lightly as we know we represent our continent’s brightest hope and the dreams and aspirations of our young continent lies on our Shoulders. To Greater Heights!!!!”
The U.S. Department of State will host the Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit on July 29–31 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. The Summit brings together almost 700 of Sub-Saharan Africa’s promising young leaders to meet and network with each other and U.S. government, private sector, and civil society representatives to build relationships that will expand U.S. organizations’ impact and reach on the continent. The Summit will feature a Partnership Expo where American organizations and businesses highlight how they engage with Africa, a Congressional Forum featuring U.S. Senators and Representatives, and TED-style “ignite” talks presented by Fellows. Plenary speakers include Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson; President of the Heritage Foundation, Kay Cole James; and William Kamkwamba, Malawian Innovator, Engineer and Author whose life was featured in the movie The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. The Summit follows six weeks of academic study and leadership development for the Fellows at 27 higher education institutions across the United States as part of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. Alumni of the Fellowship are playing a role in enhancing peace and security, spurring economic growth, and strengthening democratic institutions in the United States and countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Jesus walked on water and raised the dead, but he knew he couldn’t start his ministry alone. He formed a team of 13 people because he knew the greatness to be achieved. If a man who transformed water into wine needed someone else, you certainly do. The Mandela Washington Fellowship is a true testimony to a transformation for Young African Leaders like Elda David Kehinde Samuel and Daniel Akpan:who is one of the 56 young Nigerians to participate in the 2019 Mandela Washington Fellowship program was also rewarded with an Honorary Citizenship of Bonne,North Carolina
WHAT: Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit
WHEN: Mon., July 29 — Wed., July 31
WHERE: Omni Shoreham Hotel, 2500 Calvert St NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and administered by IREX.
Photos & Video: MWF 2019 Online
