Mandela Washington Fellowship

A program for young African leaders

Established in 2014, the Mandela Washington Fellowship is the flagship program of the U.S. Department of State's Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). More than 700 innovators and leaders from sub-Saharan Africa are selected each summer to participate in academic and leadership training at U.S. colleges and universities.

2023 Cohort and Events

Join us as we welcome our 2023 Cohort to K-State at the Opening Ceremony, 4-6 p.m. Friday, June 23, at the Leadership Studies building. Details and RSVP

A Manhattan Community Networking Event will take place 4-5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 29, at the Leadership Studies building. The purpose is to engage directly with the Fellows to learn about their individual work and passion and how they are implementing change in their community.

The Graduation Ceremony will take place 4-6 p.m. Thursday, July 27, at the Leadership Studies building.

K-State's Institute in Civic Engagement

The Staley School has hosted Fellowship cohorts since 2016, engaging over 100 young African leaders. While at K-State, the Fellows participate in a six-week Leadership Institute in Civic Engagement.

K-State Fellows engage in hands-on leadership education and practical community-building experiences. Fellows travel statewide to connect with civic organizations, non-profits and government officials, meet with a peer network of community leaders and enjoy cultural experiences. The Fellowship is culminated with a summit in Washington D.C. that brings together all 700 Fellows.

Learn more

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by IREX. Kansas State University is a sub-grantee of IREX and is implementing a U.S.-based Leadership Institute as a part of the Fellowship. For more information about the Mandela Washington Fellowship, please visit mandelawashingtonfellowship.org.