Leaders of the Free World

Meet the 2024 Leaders of the Free World Fellows:

Bryan Stokes -Prarie View A&M University

We are excited to introduce you to the exceptional young men who make up our 2024 LFW Fellowship cohort. These dynamic, passionate individuals have embarked on an incredible journey of personal growth, leadership development, and global engagement.

Help us celebrate these exceptional leaders.

For more information, visit [www.leadersofthefreeworld.org]

Stay updated on our in-country activities, experiences, and insights by following us on:

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LFW 2024 Ghana Trip Day 9, visiting Assin Manso in Ghana, a site known as “The Last Bath.” This location offered a profound and surreal experience for our group.

The fellows expressed how the experience provided them with a sense of strength and healing. The journey through Assin Manso allowed them to bond more deeply as a group and left us with a lasting impact of self-discovery and understanding.

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James T. Ham, LFW Board Member and Director of the Office of International Affairs at North Carolina Central University with LFW Mentee Hunter Weldon from Prairie View A&M University , heading to the US Embassy in Ghana.

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www.leadersofthefreeworld.org

Meet 2024 LFW Fellow:
Joshua Odoemene - New Jersey City University

We are excited to introduce you to the exceptional young men who make up our 2024 LFW Fellowship cohort. These dynamic, passionate individuals have embarked on an incredible journey of personal growth, leadership development, and global engagement.

Help us celebrate these exceptional leaders.
For more information, visit [www.leadersofthefreeworld.org]

Stay updated on our in-country activities, experiences, and insights by following us on:

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Meet the 2024 Leaders of the Free World Fellows!
Blake Robinson - University of Delaware

We are excited to introduce you to the exceptional young men who make up our 2024 LFW Fellowship cohort. These dynamic, passionate individuals have embarked on an incredible journey of personal growth, leadership development, and global engagement.

Help us celebrate these exceptional leaders.
For more information, visit [www.leadersofthefreeworld.org]

Stay updated on our in-country activities, experiences, and insights by following us on:

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On the afternoon of Day 11, we participated in a basketball match against Hoops Care International. This game has become a traditional and eagerly anticipated part of our visit.

Hoops Care International is an organization dedicated to empowering local youth through sports. By offering opportunities to play basketball, they help young people develop leadership skills, stay in school, and build a brighter future.

The game fosters a sense of camaraderie and cultural exchange. Both teams enjoyed the spirited competition, and the event provided a wonderful opportunity to connect and build relationships.

Through the shared love of the game, we break down barriers, learn from one another, and create lasting memories.

Extending a heartfelt thank you to for all of the delicious Ghanaian meals made with love. Your warmth and hospitality made our stay in Cape Coast one to treasure.

Reposted from

On Day 9, we visited Assin Manso in Ghana, a site known as "The Last Bath." This location offered a profound and surreal experience for our group.

Guided by our tour guide, Kofi, we delved into the rich history of the Assin Manso site. Kofi explained that this site is considered sacred and serves as an ancestral burial ground for those that were lost in the slave trade.

We learned about the deep significance of water in this context. As we absorbed the stories and historical context, many fellows felt a wave of emotions; fostering a strong sense of connection not only to each other but also to their personal identities and heritage.

The fellows expressed how the experience provided them with a sense of strength and healing. The journey through Assin Manso allowed them to bond more deeply as a group and left us with a lasting impact of self-discovery and understanding.

Look at LFW cohorts, from its inception in 2016 to our current cohort in 2024. While the faces may have changed, the transformation of these young men's lives has remained consistent. We remain committed to addressing the underrepresentation of young Black men in international education and global leadership.

Day 7 Recap: Service Day at Tetrefu ICCES Training Centre

Today, we dedicated our efforts to a service day at the Tetrefu ICCES Training Centre. The school recently suffered a significant setback when one of their buildings was destroyed in a storm. This unfortunate event has left the school without a proper shelter to prepare food for the students.

Despite these challenges, our students stepped up admirably. They not only carried out various service activities but also interacted meaningfully with the students of Tetrefu School. This engagement fostered a sense of community and mutual support, which was uplifting for everyone involved.

Our visit to Tetrefu School is part of a long-standing commitment by LFW. Each time we return, we build on our ongoing investment in cultural exchange, service, and community development. This enduring relationship has created a strong bond between our students and the Tetrefu community.

Day 6 Recap: Today, the LFW team participated in a traditional naming ceremony in the Bonwire community of the Ashanti region. It was a rich experience meeting the Chief, learning about the rich Ashanti culture, and being given names that speak to our inherent value and identity as children of the Pan-African diaspora. The ceremony was a reminder for LFW to embrace who they are and lead a life of authenticity, purpose, and service.

Day 4 Recap: Leaders of the Free World had the fortunate pleasure of being hosted by the U.S. Embassy in Ghana for a leadership panel with Embassy leadership.

It was an opportunity for LFW Fellows to learn from other Black male leaders on how they traversed the international landscape through their careers.

During the panel discussion, LFW Fellows had the opportunity to ask questions to the panelists and have a fruitful discussion regarding global leadership, international careers, navigating cross-cultural boundaries, race, work-life balance, and so much more.

We also discussed the importance of greater representation in spaces where Black men are vastly underrepresented.

The energy in the room was quite powerful and inspiring, and a moment LFW fellows will cherish for the rest of their lives.

A special thank you to Brianne and LFW board member and mentor James Tavio Ham for making this moment happen.

Leaders of the Free World Co-Founders Ruby Maddox and Lavar Thomas at the University of Ghana.

Day 3: Today was another powerful day for Leaders of the Free World. We returned to the University of Ghana for a lecture on Traditional Leadership from Dr. Ntewusu and learned about traditional African dance and drumming from the (Ghana Dance Ensemble).

Day 3: Leaders of the Free World mentor Todd Jenkins and fellow Eric Merritt lead our morning session and set the group's intention for the day. They discussed the importance of celebrating the small things and managing energy.

Leaders of the Free World visit the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum.

"We face neither East nor West: we face forward." - Kwame Nkrumah

Day 2: Today, LFW visited Black Star Square to learn about Ghana's independence and pilgrimage towards freedom.

Day 2-morning recap: We started the day with a group grounding session and recapping day 1. We discussed the theme of "What does leadership mean to you? "Today, our young leaders visited the University of Ghana Kwame Nkrumah Institute for African Studies to learn about Ghanaian history with Dr. Samuel Ntewusu.

We have officially landed 🇬🇭!

**Announcing the 2024 Cohort of Leaders of the Free World**

We are excited to introduce the 2024 Leaders of the Free World (LFW) cohort, featuring ten outstanding students dedicated to leadership development and international education. Selected for their leadership potential and commitment to making a difference, this diverse group is set to embark on a transformative journey.

**Meet the 2024 Cohort:**

University of Delaware: Joshua Artis, Blake Robinson, and Eric Merritt
New Jersey City University: Joshua Odoemene and George Igbokwe
University of Southern Indiana: JaShaun Newman
Prairie View A&M University: Hunter Waldon and Bryson Stokes
Guilford College: David Holland.
Benedict College: Nicholas Jefferson

On June 1st, the cohort will embark on an enriching cross-cultural trip to Ghana, West Africa. This trip will provide immersive experiences, fostering cultural understanding and collaboration while enhancing their leadership skills.

Join us in celebrating these exceptional leaders. For more information, visit [www.leadersofthefreeworld.org].

We invite you to follow our journey on social media! Stay updated on our in-country activities, experiences, and insights by following us on:
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We leave for Ghana🇬🇭
in 8 Days!! 😃

COUNTDOWN TO GHANA - HELP US REACH OUR GOAL!

On June 1st, we'll embark on an incredible journey to Ghana with Leaders of the Free World (LFW)!

We're less than $5k away from reaching our fundraising goal, and every contribution counts. Your support will directly impact the success of our mission and the lives of the young leaders we serve.

Leaders of the Free World is an international experience and leadership development program for young Black men. This trip to Ghana is a pivotal part of our mission, providing invaluable opportunities for growth, learning, and cultural exchange.

By giving to our fundraiser, you're not just supporting a trip—you're investing in the future of our leaders and fostering a more interconnected, compassionate world.

Help us reach our goal! https://bit.ly/LFW2024Giving

COUNTDOWN TO GHANA - 25 Days Left!

In just 25 days, we'll embark on an incredible journey to Ghana with Leaders of the Free World (LFW)!

We're less than $5k away from reaching our fundraising goal, and every contribution counts. Your support will directly impact the success of our mission and the lives of the young leaders we serve.

Leaders of the Free World is dedicated to empowering emerging leaders with the skills, knowledge, and networks they need to create positive change on a global scale. This trip to Ghana is a pivotal part of our mission, providing invaluable opportunities for growth, learning, and cultural exchange.

By giving to our fundraiser, you're not just supporting a trip—you're investing in the future of our leaders and fostering a more interconnected, compassionate world.

Help us reach our goal!

BEYOND LIMITS 2024 Giving Challenge Leaders of the Free World (LFW) is an international experience and leadership development program for young Black men. Our mission is to develop dynamic leaders who are globally-minded, self-aware, and service-driven.

Thrilled to share a few snapshots from our recent Black Men in Global Leadership Reception the past week at the Institute of International Education (IIE) offices in DC!

It was truly inspiring to see so many talented individuals come together to exchange ideas and experiences.

The reception also highlighted the voices and contributions of Black men in the various fields of global leadership around the world.

Additionally we sought to address issues of access and visibility; discussing the need for greater representation and opportunities in the field.

Huge thanks to our co-sponsors, Lindsay Calvert and Rusti O'Neal from IIE's Center for Access and Equity, whose dedication made this event possible.

Grateful for their commitment to creating access and visibility for young Black men across the country and around the world.

Big thanks to all of our attendees.

Black Males in Global Leadership Networking Reception An evening for young Black men to gain insights, inspiration, and guidance in the global leadership landscape.

Proud to be partnered with the Institute of International Education (IIE)!!

Celebrating a Year in Expanding Access and Equity | IIE - The Power of International Education A year ago, IIE launched the Center for Access and Equity to build upon our 100+ years mission of increasing international higher education opportunities

Thank you Sharoya Miles Ham for supporting our challenge!
Your gift will help us support our students this summer!
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DONATIONS STILL COMING IN!
https://bit.ly/LFW2024Giving