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.
The Leaders have engaged with a suite of virtual programming that includes interactive webinars facilitated by experts and inspirational figures, bi-monthly group meetings to hold each other accountable, and group discussions that explore strategies and approaches for ethical and innovative leadership. Together, these elements have helped build a self-sustaining community of leaders—one whose members lift up and learn from each other, engage in sincere self-reflection, and embrace an abiding commitment to bring positive change to the continent.
Leaders participated in the following core elements of the program:
Regional Kick-Off Convening On July 14-18, 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.
Monthly Virtual Calls These live virtual sessions were the primary form of collective engagement. These connections offered a mix of new content (conversations with experts in topical webinars, introduction to leadership frameworks/discussions, skill-building, etc.) and interactive, small-group work in breakout rooms anchored on discussions around Leaders’ action plans in accountability groups.
Service Projects During the regional kick-off convening, Leaders engaged in the Mandela Day Service Project to beautify and improve a secondary school in honor of Nelson Mandela. Work included painting, gardening, and other improvements.
Tune-in for video updates from Johannesburg right here, including a town hall with President Obama and the Leaders.
See the latest from the Leaders: Africa program.
Inspired by Program, 10 Leaders Team Up for a Conversation on Poverty and Inequality
Leaders Melene Rossouw and Andrew Ihsaan Gasnolar tapped into the Leaders: Africa program network and partnered with Community Chest to host a conversation on ways to address poverty and inequality in their communities in Cape Town, South Africa. They were joined by eight other Leaders: Lesley Donna Williams, Amanda Blankfield-Koseff, Taryn Lock, JP van der Westhuizen, Kudzai Kutukwa, Lusanda Gwayi, Siyabulela Jentile, and Thulile Khanyile for the three-day gathering.
Leader Amos Kiyingi Reflects on the Leaders: Africa Program
Amos Kiyingi, a Leader from Uganda, is committed to empowering youth in his country and beyond. Hear from Amos first-hand about his experience at the convening in South Africa earlier this summer. Read the full story + Opens in a new tab
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.
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 +
July 17, 2018
Leaders: Africa Monday Recap
Check out highlights from the day at the Obama Foundation Leaders: Africa gathering.
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 +
Participants enjoy a break between sessions at the Obama Foundation Leaders: Africa gathering. July 15, 2018.
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