ABOUT YALI
The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) provides members with invaluable opportunities to connect with other leaders in their community and to learn from experts in their field. The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, started in 2014, is the flagship YALI program that empowers young people through academic coursework, leadership training, and networking. The Fellows that are selected to participate have established records of accomplishment in promoting innovation and positive change in their organizations, institutions, communities, and countries.
For a seventh year, IIB and Iowa JPEC welcomes 24 Mandela Washington Fellows from Sub-Saharan African countries to the University of Iowa to the 2022 program. To learn more about our program, watch the video to the right.
The Mandela Washington Fellowship is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by IREX. For more information about the Mandela Washington Fellowship, visit mandelawashingtonfellowship.org and join the conversation at #YALI2022.
2022 PROGRAM FACTS
57,500
Since 2014, Fellows have contributed more than 57,500 hours of community service to U.S. organizations and social services.
140,000
Fellows have completed more than 140,000 hours of professional training at more than 300 companies, organizations, and government agencies in 31 states and the District of Columbia.
95%
By meeting U.S. counterparts and alumni through Fellowship activities, more than 95% of 2021 Fellows increased their connections with people from other countries.
ACROSS THE NATION
- 49 Sub-Saharan countries
- Three tracks (Business & Entrepreneurship, Civic Leadership, and Public Management)
- 27 Host Universities & Colleges
- 700 Fellows selected
- 38,000+ Program Applicants each year
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA PROGRAM
- 24 Fellows
- 17 countries represented
- 13 women, 11 men
- Business & Entrepreneurship focus
- Nonprofit & for profit projects
- Fellows' interests include: Agriculture & Agribusiness, Business, IT, Education, Community Development, Manufacturing, Women/Girls Issues, Children & Youth, Health & Medical Issues, Media, and more
50-50
Female-Male gender balance
5%
Report having a disability
43%
Own a business
35%
Run a non-profit
MEET THE FELLOWS
Mandela Washington Fellowship Team Building
