The legacy of W.E.B. Du Bois was palpable at a farewell ceremony held for the 25 participants in the Young African Leaders Initiative the evening of July 24 at Clark Atlanta University.
Among the 500 chosen by the U.S. government from 50,000 applicants across the African continent, the 25 who spent six weeks under the auspices of Atlanta’s historic black university certainly fit Dr. Du Bois’ definition of the “talented tenth.”
Aged 25-35, the participants have had several years of professional experience and proven records of accomplishment in leading and promoting positive change in their organizations, institutions or communities in sub-Saharan Africa.
Carlton Brown, Clark Atlanta’s president, stressed the importance of their helping to “stabilize” the continent politically and pointed to Africa’s economic potential.
“It is not by accident that you are here,” Charles Moses, the dean of the university’s business school, told the young leaders referring to Dr. Du Bois’ scholarly and activist work on behalf of African Americans as well as Africans. “One hundred and fourteen years ago, as a faculty member here, he did some of his most important work.”
A staunch proponent of having Africans govern Africans during the midst of the continent’s colonial period, Dr. Du Bois could only have been impressed by the initiative begun in 2010 by the Obama Administration to invest in the next generation of African leaders and strengthen partnership between the United States and Africa.
While the 500 who arrived in the U.S. last month were dispersed around the country to some of the nation’s most prestigious institutions such as Yale University, the University of California-Berkeley and Dartmouth College, the outpouring of appreciation during the farewell ceremony by the young leaders left no doubt that they were grateful for their experience in Atlanta.
Each of the 25 from 18 African countries received a certificate granting them 25 continuing education credits and “yellow belt” Six Sigma designations for their management training.
In addition to their academic work, the young leaders met with former President Carter, visited the film studios of producer, performer Tyler Perry, the headquarters of Atlanta-based companies and attended local athletic events.
On behalf of the participants, Temitayo Etomi from Nigeria thanked a long list of the program’s organizers, their teachers and others who had contributed to their experience. “If we could come back and do this again, we would pick CAU again,” she said at the close of her comments, which brought tears to some both among the attendees and the young leaders themselves.
The young leaders and members of the Clark Atlanta administrators promised to maintain relations though Dr. Moses warned, “It is one thing to say we are connected and it is something different to make it happen.”
He added that he hoped the program would return next year. “Think of this as home,” he said. “Email us, tell us what you are doing and how we are doing.”
Nigeria’s consul general, Geoffrey Teneilabe; Liberia‘s honorary consul, Cynthia Blandford Nash and Mayor Kasim Reed’s mother, Sylvia, attended the ceremony as honored guests.
The primary sponsor of the initiative included the city of Atlanta, the Coca-Cola Co.; Hartsfiied-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and the Allen Entrepreneurial Institute.
The young leaders are scheduled to meet with Mr. Obama at the White House in the next few days and then many will remain for internships throughout the country before returning home. For former reporting on the Young African Leaders Initiative by Global Atlanta, click here.
To learn more about the Young African Leaders, click here.
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