The Mandela Washington Fellowship, the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), empowers young African leaders through academic coursework, leadership training, mentoring, networking, professional opportunities, and local community engagement. YALI was created in 2010 and supports young Africans as they spur economic growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across Africa. Since 2014, the U.S. Department of State has supported nearly 5,800 Mandela Washington Fellows from across Sub-Saharan Africa to develop their leadership skills and foster connections and collaboration with U.S. professionals. Fellows hosted by the Presidential Precinct in 2023 are part of a group of 700 Mandela Washington Fellows hosted at 28 educational institutions across the United States.
Summer 2023 marks the Presidential Precinct’s ninth year as an Institute Partner!
Watch program overview (3m) View Program PhotosThe Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is a program of the U.S. State Department with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by IREX. The Presidential Precinct is a sub-grantee of IREX and is implementing a U.S.-based Leadership Institute as a part of the Fellowship. For more information about the Mandela Washington Fellowship, please click below.
visit program websiteOur Africa Ideas Festival is the paramount opportunity for community members, area partners, and other friends of the Precinct to meet the Mandela Washington Fellows.
2023 Fellows curated a program of personal stories, expressions of art and culture, and key insights on issues about which they are most passionate. At the conclusion of their Fellowship institute at the Presidential Precinct, they shared Ignite Talks, cultural performances, and led a compelling panel discussion on the future of the African continent.