Want to learn more about the 2021 Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit? Check out these videos from the sessions and featured Fellow Ignite Talks speakers.
Tuesday, August 3, 2021
Welcome Remarks
- Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State, U.S. Department of State
- Introduction | Matthew Lussenhop, Acting Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State
U.S. Congressional Welcome
- Karen Bass, U.S. Representative, California
- Christopher Coons, U.S. Senator, Delaware
Additional Videos
- Keynote Remarks from Dr. Uzodinma Iweala, CEO of The Africa Center
- Complete Summit Day 1 Opening Session
- Policy Spotlight Briefing, featuring:
- Judd Devermont, Director, Africa Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
- Belinda Jackson Farrier, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Diplomacy, Bureau of African Affairs, U.S. Department of State
- Silas Njacheun Ngahane, Programs Coordinator, African Union Commission (2019 Fellowship Alumnus, African Union)
- Moderator | Elizabeth Liu, U.S. Department of State
- Special Message from Keisha Lance Bottoms, Mayor of Atlanta
Wednesday, August 4
Welcome Remarks
- Samantha Power, Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development
- Complete Summit Day 2 Opening Session
U.S. Congressional Welcome
- Cory Booker, U.S. Senator, New Jersey
- Joni Ernst, U.S. Senator, Iowa
Panel Discussions
- Building as We Climb: Leading for Social Justice
- Nisha Anand, Chief Executive Officer, Dream Corps
- Abbey Wemimo, Co-Founder, Esusu
- Ambassador Rama Yade, Director of the Africa Center, Atlantic Council
- Moderator | Nancy Hopkins, The Presidential Precinct
- Climate Change: Collective Action and Leadership
- Adedana Ashebir, Regional Director – Africa and the Middle East, Village Capital
- Jasmine Sanders, Executive Director, Our Climate
- Moderator | Shaban Senyange, Wildlife Health and Conservation Media Specialist (2018 Fellowship Alumnus, Uganda)
- Leading and Innovating During a Public Health Crisis
- Nicolette Louissaint, Ph.D., Executive Director and President, Healthcare Ready
- Dr. John Nkengasong, Director, Africa Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention
- Loyce Pace, M.P.H., Director, Office of Global Affairs, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Moderator | Babatunde Okunlola, Content Head, Royal FM 95.1 (2019 Fellowship Alumnus, Nigeria)
Additional Videos
- Keynote Remarks from Mebrahtom “Meb” Keflezighi, Athlete and Founder, MEB Foundation
- Moderator | Dorothy Okatch, National Coordinator, Palms for Life Fund (2015 Fellowship Alumna, Botswana)
- Special Messages from former President Barack Obama and Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Representative to the United Nations
- Next Steps Session: Resilience and Alumni Opportunities
- Launch of the Mandela Washington Fellowship Catalyst Grant, featuring:
- Adepeju Jaiyeoba, Founder, Brown Button Foundation and Mother’s Delivery Kit (2014 Fellowship Alumna, Nigeria)
- Will Snider, Operations Lead, D-Prize
- Moderator | Kristin Lord, CEO, IREX
- Announcement of the 2021 Leadership Impact Award Winner, Ian Tarimo
- Alumni Closing Session | #MandelaForAll: Paying it Forward As Alumni
- Complete Day 2 Closing Session
- Talent Show
2021 Ignite Talks
- Gloria Anderson, 2021 Mandela Washington Fellow, Tanzania | Watch Video
- Hastings Golosi, 2021 Mandela Washington Fellow, Malawi | Watch Video
- Lusia Immanuel, 2021 Mandela Washington Fellow, Namibia | Watch Video
- Mariatu Kabba, 2021 Mandela Washington Fellow, Sierra Leone | Watch Video
- Biniam Yayehyirad Kitaw, 2021 Mandela Washington Fellow, Ethiopia | Watch Video
- Tsholofelo Letsholo, 2021 Mandela Washington Fellow, Botswana | Watch Video
- Lensa Dorothy Joseph, 2021 Mandela Washington Fellow, Kenya | Watch Video
- Dennis Nyarko, 2021 Mandela Washington Fellow, Ghana | Watch Video