Obama Foundation Leaders: Africa

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Meet the 200 members of the inaugural class of Leaders: Africa.

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Track the progress of the Leaders: Africa.

The Leaders: Africa program brought together 200 emerging leaders from across the continent to explore new ways to take on the biggest challenges in their communities. Explore the event below and hear from the Leaders themselves.

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Tune-in for video updates from Johannesburg right here, including a town hall with President Obama and the Leaders.

Meet the 2018 Leaders: Africa

Hailing from 44 countries across the continent, these emerging leaders bring a wide range of skills and experiences to share with one another and the rest of the world. Get to know them below.

Updates

See the latest from Johannesburg.

Explore the Lineup of Speakers at Leaders: Africa

To inspire these leaders, we’ve assembled an incredible lineup of speakers from the private sector to the public sector, from nonprofits to NGOs, from the sciences to the arts. Get to know them.

July 20, 2018

President Obama: “Mandela’s most important lesson”

Earlier today, President Obama sent a message to the Obama Foundation email list on Mandela Day and Madiba’s legacy, and his reflections on the inspiring young people he met at the Obama Foundation Leaders: Africa convening. Read more +

July 19, 2018

Leaders: Africa Wednesday Recap with Chimwemwe John Paul Manyozo

Earlier today, Chimwemwe John Paul Manyozo shared his reflection on his experience at the Obama Foundation Leaders: Africa program in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Wednesday, July 18. Read more+

President Obama and the Leaders participated in a group service project to honor Nelson Mandela on the 100th anniversary of his birth and to underscore the important relationship between leadership and service. The Leaders went to the Far North Secondary School in Johannesburg and painted a mural, made benches for students, beautified the campus grounds, and cleaned windows.

Today in Johannesburg, @BarackObama and 200 #ObamaLeaders participated in a service project at a local school to honor #MandelaDay on the 100th anniversary of his birth. https://t.co/5yil8Lr5IP
— The Obama Foundation (@ObamaFoundation) July 18, 2018

July 18, 2018

Leaders: Africa Tuesday Recap with Simidele Adeagbo

Earlier today, Simi Adeagbo shared her reflection on her experience at the Obama Foundation Leaders: Africa program on Tuesday, July 17. Read more +

Be bold, but be realistic. President @BarackObama's advice to #ObamaLeaders working to make an impact in Africa: pic.twitter.com/U2ka4DQnB7
— The Obama Foundation (@ObamaFoundation) July 18, 2018

"'Love comes more naturally to the human heart.' Let's remember that truth. Let's see it as our North Star." * @BarackObama delivering the 2018 #MandelaLecture in Johannesburg, South Africa, marking the 100th anniversary of Nelson Mandela's birth.

A post shared by Obama Foundation (@obamafoundation) on Jul 17, 2018 at 3:44pm PDT

"He came to embody the universal aspirations of dispossessed people all around the world with hopes for a better life, and the possibility of a moral transformation in the conduct of human affairs." —@BarackObama at the 2018 #MandelaLecture
— The Obama Foundation (@ObamaFoundation) July 17, 2018

July 17, 2018

Leaders: Africa Monday Recap

Check out highlights from the day at the Obama Foundation Leaders: Africa gathering.

“Just believe it is your time. It is your time to redesign systems, redesign the institutions, redesign the agenda of where we need to go.” –Graça Machel, @G_MachelTrust, to 200 emerging #ObamaLeaders from across Africa. pic.twitter.com/hrIbor5Qk5
— The Obama Foundation (@ObamaFoundation) July 16, 2018

July 16, 2018

Leaders: Africa Sunday Recap with Veda Sunassee

Earlier today, Veda Sunassee, Head of College, African Leadership University, shared his reflection on his experience at the Obama Foundation Leaders: Africa program on Sunday, July 15. Read more +

The #ObamaLeaders: Africa logo is inspired by the Zulu and Xhosa women’s necklace, a symbol of leadership that can be recognized as one of the most iconic necklaces in South African culture. The design elements were inspired by various Zulu patterns, Ndebele mural art, Adinkra cloth designs, Shona wooden art, Kente cloth designs, Kuba cloth designs and various artifacts. It’s been interesting to see how my graphics have been interpreted throughout the event space. —Osmond, @wakwatshuma

A post shared by Obama Foundation (@obamafoundation) on Jul 15, 2018 at 10:33am PDT

Hey everybody! Osmond Tshuma (@wakwatshuma) here taking over the Obama Foundation Instagram as the #ObamaLeaders: Africa program kicks off. As a Zimbabwean-born graphic designer based in Johannesburg, having the opportunity to create art for the program was one of those big projects designers only dream of. This convening brings together some of the greatest and most inspiring leaders. I wanted to create work that would stand out and communicate the message of leadership in Africa.

A post shared by Obama Foundation (@obamafoundation) on Jul 15, 2018 at 10:14am PDT

In our #ObamaLeaders session on risk-taking, @PatrickAwuahJr shares his advice for managing fear and finding success. The entrepreneurial journey is like climbing a mountain:
1. Find a buddy
2. Prepare and gather resources
3. Identify your guides
4. Pause during the storms pic.twitter.com/ZMUHwyviCZ
— The Obama Foundation (@ObamaFoundation) July 15, 2018

Talking 'Failing forward: Risk taking and the benefits of failure' with @JasonNjoku, CEO of IROKO; @BinaMaseno, founder of BADILI AFRICA; @PatrickAwuahJr, Founder @Ashesi & @KhanyiDhlomo, CEO of NDALO MEDIA #ObamaLeaders @ObamaFoundation pic.twitter.com/2BmggLvSTZ
— Willson P. Chivhanga (@WChivhanga) July 15, 2018

Participants enjoy a break between sessions at the Obama Foundation Leaders: Africa gathering. July 15, 2018.

Today, we kicked off #ObamaLeaders: Africa, a five-day convening of 200 rising leaders from 44 countries across the continent. This week in Johannesburg, Leaders will connect and get to know one another through problem-solving workshops, leadership sessions, and skill building trainings. Swipe ➡️ for a look inside our first day.

A post shared by Obama Foundation (@obamafoundation) on Jul 14, 2018 at 1:41pm PDT

July 13, 2018

Passing along President Obama’s summer reading list:

Earlier today, Bernadette Meehan shared the message below with our full email list ahead of the Leaders: Africa convening in Johannesburg, South Africa July 14-18. More

And so the journey begins.. I am excited to gather with other #ObamaLeaders from across Africa to share about @UgandaUnites and our work in conflict transformation but most important to make connections and learn from all these great leaders' experiences. @ObamaFoundation pic.twitter.com/l3sR11JGtX
— Amos Kiyingi (@amoskiyingi) July 14, 2018

This week, I’m traveling to Africa for the first time since I left office – a continent of wonderful diversity, thriving culture, and remarkable stories. As I prepare for this trip, I wanted to share a list of books that I’d recommend for summer reading: https://t.co/W4Jc0N23iy
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 13, 2018

Honoring Mandela Day

On July 18, people around the world honored the 100th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s birth by making a commitment to help make the world a better place. Tell us how you’re honoring his legacy below.

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Meet the 2018 Leaders: Africa

Updates

Explore the Lineup of Speakers at Leaders: Africa

July 20, 2018

President Obama: “Mandela’s most important lesson”

July 19, 2018

Leaders: Africa Wednesday Recap with Chimwemwe John Paul Manyozo

July 18, 2018

Leaders: Africa Tuesday Recap with Simidele Adeagbo

July 17, 2018

Leaders: Africa Monday Recap

July 16, 2018

Leaders: Africa Sunday Recap with Veda Sunassee

July 13, 2018

Passing along President Obama’s summer reading list:

Honoring Mandela Day

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