Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders at UGA

Calling on all UGA Mandela Fellows alumni! Lauren here! I am looking for Portuguese-speaking, short-term consultants across Botswana, South Africa, and Mozambique who can support the following activities: improving municipal service delivery, reducing corruption and building political will to implement reforms, and connecting municipal civil servants with counterparts in other geographies to share lessons learned. Please get in touch with me! Happy to consider referrals outside of the Mandela program if they come from a UGA Mandela alumni. I look forward to hearing from y'all! Gooooo DAWGS!

Mandela Washington Fellowship returns to UGA in summer 2024 🌍

The University of Georgia is proud to announce its selection as an Institute Partner for the 2024 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders.

The 2024 program at the University of Georgia will be delivered through a collaborative effort of the UGA Fanning Institute for Leadership, the UGA Office of Global Engagement, and the African Studies Institute at UGA Franklin College of Arts and Sciences.

Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders at UGA

Faculty member Brandy Walker recently returned from Madagascar, where she and Kristi Farner from UGA Extension participated in a five-day training in Leadership in Civic Engagement, building off of the work the University of Georgia does through the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders at UGA.

University of Georgia MWF alumni - someone has reached out to me asking for application mentorship. Please comment below if you’d like to help a fellow African wi the their application!

Congratulations to Oluwafunke Adeoye for her outstanding achievement in winning the $75,000 Waislitz Global Citizen Award. Oluwafunke, who recently returned from an enriching Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders program at the University of Georgia, has made history as the first individual working within the Criminal Justice sector to win this global award. » https://bit.ly/3KEOaZl

Some fellows have been enjoying some “family time” with Athens community members. 🥰

WEEK 3 RECAP: Inclusive Communities and Organizations

Fellows gained new perspectives on how historically marginalized segments of the United States have participated in civic engagement to demand equality and respect.

At a site visit in Atlanta, the Georgia Human Trafficking Task force, a collaborative effort of the Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, the Georgia State Bar, Georgia Bureau of Investigation and community partners presented the task force's framework and work groups to the Fellows.

The site visit concluded with a look into the Civil Rights Museum. Fellows were also given a chance to explore Atlanta's cultural staples: the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coke, and CNN Center.

Senegal Program Manager for the Center on Human Trafficking Research & Outreach, Nnenne Onyioha-Clayton, led a practical academic session where the group discussed the dependence of anti-trafficking efforts on community engagement.

In addition to larger discussions regarding Human Trafficking, cultural exchange activities with community members continued throughout the week.

The week began with a panel with participants from the African diaspora. Discussions explored civic engagement from the perspective of US immigrants.

On the 4th of July holiday, Fellows visited the city of Monroe, Georgia. The group participated in traditional American Independence day festivities.

The African Graduate Students Forum hosted a "Mandazi & Puff Puff" ice cream social where UGA graduate students and Fellows mingled.
-

Thursday's Mandela Washington Fellow Welcome Reception was filled with smiles, conversation, and lots of selfies 📸
-

Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders at UGA Exchange Programs - U.S. Department of State

WEEK 2 - Youth, Planning, and Organizational Development

The Institute for Civic Engagement Leadership continued with discussions, panels, bootcamps and practical academic sessions exploring topics like youth at risk, strategic planning, and organizational development.

Fellows visited Chess & Community, a local nonprofit specializing in youth empowerment and community engagement. Director Lemuel La Rouche shared his perspective on organizational development and planning from within his organization.

Fellows engaged with potential collaborators from various professional fields at a speed networking event. Later, UGA faculty and staff greeted Fellows at the Welcome Reception. Connections developed at these events will aid Fellows in selecting collaborations with local professionals and organizations during their time at the Institute.
-
This week's speakers:
Onyedikachi Ekwerike, Mandela Washington Fellow Alumnus and Lecturer, UGA Institute for Leadership Advancement
Sayge Medlin, Assistant Director of internal operations, UGA Fanning Institute for Leadership
Leslie Hale, Executive Director, MENTOR Georgia
Jason Bedgood, Program Coordinator, Embark Georgia
Lemuel La Rouche, Director, Chess & Community
Anthony J. Mallon, Director, Institute for Nonprofit Organizations at University of Georgia School of Social Work
Cora Keber, Director of Education, State Botanical Garden of Georgia at UGA
-

Africa in Athens: a Saturday afternoon of cultural exchange and comradery as part of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders at UGA Institute of Civic Engagement at the University of Georgia.

Fellows, faculty, and families gathered to celebrate the countries that this year's Fellows call home at this event hosted in the The Georgia Museum of Art.

Thank you to the UGA and Athens community members that attended! 🌍

24 brilliant Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders Fellows hailing from 20 sub-Saharan countries arrived at the Civic Engagement Institute at the University of Georgia this week.

Fellows have commenced the six-week Institute, participating in preparatory sessions facilitated by Dr. Akinloye Ojo, Co-Academic Director of the Institute, and members of the UGA Fanning Institute for Leadership and International Initiatives in the Office of Global Engagement.

Tomorrow, each Fellow will present their respective country profiles as part of Africa in Athens, a cultural showcase hosted at The Georgia Museum of Art. Local nonprofits and community members of Athens and UGA are invited to connect with Mandela Washington Fellows at this lively event. See the event page for more details.

This page will capture program activities, highlight Fellows and share public events over the next six weeks. Updates are also available via the Mandela Washington Fellows at UGA Twitter account: https://twitter.com/UGAMWF.
-

-
Exchange Programs - U.S. Department of State

Kicking off the 2023 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders at UGA with the annual group selfie!

AFRICA IN ATHENS🌍

This Saturday afternoon at The Georgia Museum of Art, Mandela Washington Fellows will present profiles showcasing their respective cultures at this multicultural event open to the public.

We are excited to welcome the Mandela Washington Fellowship this summer at Wimberly's Roots. You are invited to meet them for a family event in Athens on June 24th from 12:00 PM- 3:00 PM at the Georgia Museum of Art.

Last week we met with members of Georgia's Human Trafficking Task Force. We visited the state capital, Centennial Olympic Park and enjoyed some time at the GA Aquarium.

A little 4th of July fun playing some baseball and American football!

"Taste of Africa" Community Potluck tonight from 6:30-8:30pm at Adinkra Hall. Come visit with the Fellows and learn a little about Africa.

The UGA Fellows visited the Center for Innovation for Teaching on Monday, a community-engaged school-based organization in Barrow County.

Department of Agriculture

We had a lovely reception for the Fellows last night.

Africa in Athens!! What a great way to share culture!

Extra Special People hanging out with Extra Special People (ESP)!

Welcome to Bulldog country! The Mandela Washington Fellows are settling into life in Rutherford Hall and adjusting to the mugginess during their first week in Georgia. Today they are hanging out with ESP, Extra Special People, in Watkinsville!

Welcome meeting at Fanning Institute!

How many Mandela Fellows does it take to lower a mattress??

Our first two are here!
Kedei Ibiang and Alkali Jonah!