Clark Atlanta University and the Mandela Washington Fellowship

Mesfin Bezuneh, Ph.D., Director

Darlita Moyé, Ed.D., Administrative Director & Leadership Manager

As Clark Atlanta University (CAU) celebrates ten years of hosting the Mandela Washington Fellowship, it marks a decade of empowering young African leaders to make lasting contributions across Africa. The Mandela Washington Fellowship is the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), which was created by the U.S. government in 2010 to support the next generation of African leaders. YALI aims to spur economic growth, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across the continent. The Fellowship, which was launched in 2014, has grown into a transformative leadership development program and, to date, has impacted nearly 6,500 young leaders from every country in Sub-Saharan Africa.

CAU’s Legacy of Leadership and Community Impact

Clark Atlanta University has hosted more than 250 Fellows over the past 10 years, each of whom has participated in academic coursework, leadership training, networking, and community service opportunities in partnership with renowned organizations such as IBM, UPS, Coca-Cola, Google, Microsoft, and the City of Atlanta. These collaborations provide Fellows with real-world insights into leadership and entrepreneurship while creating long-term bonds between the African leaders and their U.S. counterparts. Fellows are immersed in a vibrant academic and cultural exchange that broadens their perspectives on global leadership and community-building.

Clark Atlanta University has always prioritized the Fellows’ professional development and their connection to the local community. Fellows engage weekly community service with local nonprofits, including the Atlanta Community Food Bank, MedShare International, Trees Atlanta, Metro Atlanta Urban Farm, Habitat for Humanity, Books for Africa, and the Peachtree Road Race. Over six weeks, Fellows dedicate three hours per week to providing hands-on support to these organizations, resulting in a cumulative service of over 3,750 hours since the program’s inception. This contribution has helped improve the efficiency of local nonprofit operations, including distributing food and medical supplies, preserving green spaces, and promoting urban farming practices.

In 2024, the estimated economic value of the CAU Fellows’ community service alone is over $95,000. Beyond the monetary impact, the program has created strong ties between the YALI Fellows and the local community, fostering a sense of global citizenship and cross-cultural collaboration.

A Decade of Growth and Expansion

Each year, CAU’s Mandela Washington Fellows join a larger cohort of 700 Fellows hosted at 28 educational institutions across the United States. At CAU, the program has evolved to include not just leadership training but also social and cultural events that allow Fellows to engage with Atlanta’s vibrant and diverse community and experience the rich history and culture of the city. For example, the opening reception for the 2024 Fellowship welcomed Fellows to CAU’s beautiful campus, offering them a chance to network with faculty, local business leaders, and students. The 2024 cohort also participated in various small group sector events, home family dinners, and networking sessions to build connections with U.S. professionals in their fields.

The program’s highlight is the Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit in Washington, D.C., where Fellows from across the U.S. gather to participate in networking and panel discussions with public, private, and nonprofit leaders. After the Summit, up to 100 competitively selected Fellows remain in the U.S. for four additional weeks of professional development with top U.S. non-governmental organizations, private companies, and government agencies. This extended professional engagement allows select Fellows to deepen their understanding of global best practices and develop skills they can apply in their home countries.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship at CAU is funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and implemented by IREX. Leadership Institutes like the one at CAU are designed to challenge, motivate, and empower young African leaders to tackle the challenges of the 21st century. Fellows are not only given the tools to lead but are encouraged to broaden their knowledge beyond their current fields of work, thus becoming more well-rounded leaders who can address the complex issues facing their countries and the world.

2024: A Milestone Year for CAU’s Fellows

This year’s cohort of Fellows has already distinguished itself by being the first to conduct an inaugural visit to Microsoft Atlanta, where they engaged with executives on the role of emerging technologies in driving social change and economic development. Microsoft Atlanta opened its doors to the Fellows for a day of discussions on digital transformation, technology leadership, and how innovation can shape future global growth. The visit also allowed Fellows to gain firsthand exposure to one of the world’s leading technology firms and its role in addressing societal challenges through digital storytelling solutions.

Another notable achievement this year was the organization of a business expo by the Fellows themselves. The event showcased their products and businesses to the Atlanta community, allowing local entrepreneurs, business professionals, and investors to engage with African leaders. The expo was a celebration of entrepreneurship, innovation, and the potential for international collaboration, reinforcing the Fellowship’s focus on economic development and social entrepreneurship.

In addition, Fellows hosted a “Taste of Africa” dining experience, where they cooked traditional meals from their home countries and dined with members of the Atlanta community. This event highlighted Africa’s rich cultural diversity and allowed Fellows to share their heritage and culinary traditions with their U.S. counterparts. It was more than just a meal — it was an opportunity to foster cross-cultural understanding and build lasting friendships.

Societal Impact Through Service and Leadership

At the core of CAU’s Mandela Washington Fellowship is its commitment to community service. Since 2014, Fellows have worked with many local organizations, providing over 3,750 hours of service to the Atlanta community. The impact of this service has been substantial, particularly in addressing food insecurity, improving environmental sustainability, and supporting public health initiatives. By volunteering at the Atlanta Community Food Bank and MedShare, Fellows have helped ensure the timely distribution of food and medical supplies to those in need. Their work with Trees Atlanta and Metro Atlanta Urban Farm has helped preserve urban green spaces and promote sustainable agricultural practices. At the same time, their participation in Habitat for Humanity has provided valuable labor for building homes for low-income families.

This emphasis on service is deeply connected to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 2: Ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture. Clark Atlanta University has adopted this goal as a guiding principle for its community service efforts. Fellows’ contributions have directly supported these objectives by addressing hunger, improving access to nutritious food, and promoting environmentally sustainable farming practices.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship’s cross-disciplinary approach ensures that Fellows are exposed to various topics, from ethical leadership to food security and emerging technologies. This year’s programming at CAU included sessions on moral decision-making, the impact of U.S. policies on Africa, and the role of trade in food security at national and household levels. By challenging Fellows to think beyond their immediate professional interests, the program equips them with the skills and knowledge to become more effective leaders in their home countries.

The Future of the Fellowship

As Clark Atlanta University celebrates ten years of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, the program looks forward to continuing its legacy of leadership development and societal impact. The Fellows who have passed through the university’s doors over the past decade have become changemakers in their respective countries, driving economic growth, fostering democratic governance, and building more inclusive societies.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship is not just an academic program but a platform for young African leaders to exchange ideas, build lasting networks, and work toward a future where Africa’s potential is fully realized. As the Fellowship enters its second decade, CAU remains committed to supporting the next generation of African leaders and expanding the program’s impact locally and globally.

Clark Atlanta University and the Mandela Washington Fellowship: Celebrating 10 Years of Societal Impact