Moremi Initiative for Women’s Leadership in Africa proudly announces the 2019 MiLEAD Fellows. The new cohorts, selected in the 11th year of the MILEAD Fellows Program, represent Africa’s most promising young women leaders, who have demonstrated the courage, passion and commitment to lead and shape the future of Africa. The Fellows were chosen through a highly competitive selection process based on their outstanding leadership promise, community service accomplishments, and commitment to the advancement of women and social justice in Africa.
“These exceptional leaders, bring their remarkable individual characteristics, but come together to learn and collectively build a better Africa. These MILEAD Fellows have responded to Africa’s call for a new kind of leadership- to shift power to the people and to be good stewards of power. The MILEAD program will help them fulfill this mission by deepening their capacities and capabilities with a supportive ecosystem, as they utilize their talents to shape the future of their communities and Africa’s place in the world. - by MILEAD Selection Committee [www.moremiinitiative.org]
THE 2019 MILEAD FELLOWS
The 2019 MILEAD Fellows represent a truly Pan-African diversity and potential. Representing 26 African countries and the Diaspora, the 2019 Fellows bring highly diverse socio-cultural backgrounds combined with multi-disciplinary academic and professional experiences and aspirations. The Fellows are between the ages of 19 and 25, and are already actively leading change on pertinent issues at many levels - from entrepreneurship, agriculture and women’s health, to politics, environmental innovations and gender justice. They are a new generation of African women leaders ready to provide the bold and inspirational leadership needed to shift power and lift Africa to its rightful place on the global stage. Here are the honoured 2019 Fellows:
Ms. Ashley Ahandessi [Benin]
Ms. Bosa Wame D. Sebele [Botswana]
Ms. Laura SheïllaI Nangoma [Burundi]
Ms. Jeannine Rachelle Belibi [Cameroon]
Ms. Adèle Noudjilembaye [Chad]
Ms. N’dri Helena C. Abozan [Cote d’Ivoire]
Ms. Rachel Mawazo Salama [D. R. Congo]
Ms. ReemYehiaKamel Elsayed [Egypt]
Ms. Simiso Shabangu [Eswatini]
Ms. Selamawit Tezera Chaka [Ethiopia]
Ms. Marlyse Hangamalongo Mapaga [Gabon]
Ms. Ngenarr-Yassin Jeng [The Gambia]
Ms. Dorcas Babet Kwofie [Ghana]
Ms. Grace Amponsah [Ghana]
Ms. Rita W. Tunwah [Liberia]
Ms. Comfort Chizinga [Malawi]
Ms. Silvia Ernestina Dywili [Mozambique]
Ms. Julia MP Nampweya [Namibia]
Ms. Udoka Peace Ugwoke [Nigeria]
Ms. Anysie Ishimwe [Rwanda]
Ms. Aminata Seilloh Conteh [Sierra Leone]
Ms. Latto Catherine F. Tartisio [South Sudan]
Ms. Brigitte Adjoa Adonou [Togo]
Ms. Vanessa Chisakula [Zambia]
Ms. Faith Nyakundi [USA/ Kenya]
Ms. Samu Ngwenya [Diaspora | Zimbabwe]
From 2,070 applications from 48 African countries, and the Diaspora, the newly selected Fellows will become part of the growing MILEAD community, a powerful Pan-African network of change makers - a new generation of young African leaders. We welcome our first ever Fellow from Chad.
We acknowledge all unsuccessful applicants for their transformational work and sacrifices, often under extremely difficult circumstances. Although only 26 candidates could be selected, we truly admire the courage and commitment of all of these leaders. We look forward to collaborating with all applicants through other platforms and future programs as we strive to create opportunities and attain dignity and justice for women on our great continent.
THE 2019 MILEAD FELLOWS INSTITUTE
The MILEAD Fellows will converge in Accra, Ghana to kick-start the 2019 MILEAD Leadership Institute - a three-week intensive training program - which will be hosted by the Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana, Legon. The Institute will serve as a platform for Fellows to cross-examine concepts of leadership in a broad African context, cultivate the skills and experiences necessary to occupy and excel in leadership positions, and gain knowledge on cutting-edge issues critical to African women and their communities. In addition to knowledge building lectures, skills-training workshops, teambuilding activities, role plays and other interactive activities, Fellows will be mentored by experienced and accomplished women leaders who are committed to supporting and nurturing the next generation of African women leaders.
ABOUT THE MILEAD FELLOWS PROGRAM
The MILEAD Fellows Program is a bold and paradigm-shifting initiative committed to the long-term leadership development of promising young leaders selected as Fellows. Fellows benefit from a combination of training, experiential learning and mentoring crafted to build knowledge, skills, strengthen networks, and support women’s leadership on critical issues. In addition, the program links determined young women with influential and seasoned African leaders who are committed to inspiring and empowering the next generation. Most importantly, Fellows benefit from a lifelong solidarity and support through the MILEAD Network and supportive eco-system. One of the distinguishing features of our program is the deliberate integration of community service to the yearlong training. Each Fellow will initiate and lead a community change (MiCHANGE) project on a critical issue of importance to their community or African women as a whole. Moreover, Fellows will benefit from a lifelong solidarity and support through the MILEAD Network.
ABOUT MOREMI INITIATIVE
Moremi Initiative is widely recognized today as a leading and pioneer organization promoting women’s leadership and social justice in Africa. Our investments in transformational leadership over the past 14 years continue to inspire and equip a new generation of women leaders in politics, business and communities across the continent. Headquartered in Accra-Ghana and with an office in the United States, Moremi Initiative operates throughout Africa and the Diaspora. Moremi Initiative is a United Nations Accredited organization- in Special Consultative Status and has official partnerships with UN WOMEN, UNAIDS and other local and international partners. Moremi Initiative boasts of a growing and dynamic alumni network with over 240 strong memberships of exceptional young leaders, who share a commitment to shape the future of African and their respective communities. Our Mission is to engage, inspire and equip young women and girls to become the next generation of leading politicians, activists, social entrepreneurs and change agents.
For more information, contact Moremi Initiative: Tel: +1 917.327.5235 (USA) +233 54 909 3152 (GHANA) #MILEADFellows ● F:Facebook.com/MoremiAfrica ● E: info@moremiinitiative.org ● W:www.moremiinitiative.org
