Becoming A Young African Leader From Sierra Leone

In 2016, I was privileged to be selected as a young and emerging leader from Sierra Leone to participate in one of the most prestigious fellowships, The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), under the Mandela Washington Fellowship, an initiative of former President Barack Obama. 

It was an intense six-week academic and professional learning experience. I was proudly placed at the Presidential Precinct, a combination of two of America’s premier universities, William & Mary and the University of Virginia. We learned a lot about leadership, community service, and civic engagement.

It was indeed a life-changing experience for me. The end of the six weeks on August 3rd, 2016, was climaxed by a town hall meeting with former President Barack Obama, an opportunity and experience I am grateful for and those memories will continue to spur me on.

I watched President Obama address one thousand young leaders from across Africa in one room, passionately speaking from his heart, saying, “The talent you’ve got is the future of your country”. His words resonated with me.

Watch President Obama’s full remarks on the Presidential Precinct’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/rTr73O05RKA?si=0mwfD-vDUQ98qBHj

He was determined and selfless in advocating for change in the lives of young people across Africa. He said to us: “Years from now, when you are running a big business or doing a great non-profit or leading your country as President or minister, my hope is that you can look back and keep drawing from the strength and experience that you’ve gotten here, and I hope you will remember those of us who believed in your potential”.

Those words have always been in my heart, and I made a commitment to myself to continue with my passion and dedication to promoting issues that affect society and, most notably, women and children.

I want to say that those inspiring words from former President Obama and my commitment have proudly become a reality.

I have recently established Rise Radio 96.3FM, a community service media organisation that seeks to provide a platform and opportunity to amplify the voices of women, girls, and young people in addressing critical and emerging issues affecting them. It will also promote human rights, a just and inclusive society, democracy and progressive governance and climate change through radio broadcasts.

Rise Radio is already becoming the “voice of many voices,” offering space and opportunities to diverse groups to share their experiences, views, concerns and perspectives.

YALI was a massive opportunity for me. At this point, I would like to thank former President Barack Obama for his incredible initiative, the United States Embassy in Sierra Leone, the US State Department, the entire staff of the Presidential Precinct, the YALI Network, and the Mandela Washington Fellowship for the unforgettable experience.

– Asmaa James
Proud 2016 YALI Fellow

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The 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.