2022 Summit Agenda

July 12 – 13, 2022
By Invitation Only

The 2022 Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit will take place on the Chime platform and is by invitation only. Please note that all times listed are Eastern Daylight / Washington, D.C. time.

Tuesday, July 12, 2022

12:00 – 12:30 p.m. | 2022 Summit Opening

Video | Living Mandela’s Legacy
Emcee | Yolanda Sangweni, Vice President of Programming and New Content Development, National Public Radio
Introduction | Lee Satterfield, Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State
Welcome Remarks | Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State, U.S. Department of State

U.S. Congressional Welcome

• Jackie Walorski, U.S. Representative, Indiana
• Christopher Coons, U.S. Senator, Delaware

12:30 – 1:20 p.m. | Keynote Address: “Transformative Leadership”

Introduction | Marang Sanyang, 2022 Mandela Washington Fellow, Arizona State University
Keynote Speaker | Dr. Bernice A. King, Chief Executive Officer, The King Center
Moderator | Yolanda Sangweni, Vice President of Programming and New Content Development, National Public Radio

1:20 – 1:30 p.m. | Break

1:30 – 2:30 p.m. | Policy Spotlight Briefing

The Policy Spotlight Briefing will allow Fellows to hear from experts and share their thoughts on U.S. Government policies and priorities in U.S.-Africa relations.

Introduction | Molly Phee, Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of African Affairs, U.S. Department of State 

• Akunna Cook, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of African Affairs, U.S. Department of State
• Tyler Beckelman, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Africa Bureau, U.S. Agency for International Development
• Sem Mandela Uutoni, Chief Executive Officer, One Economy Foundation; 2018 Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumnus

Moderator | Ambassador Rama Yade, Senior Director, Africa Center, Atlantic Council

2:30 – 3:30 p.m. | Lunch

3:30 – 5:30 p.m. | Partnership Expo

Mandela Washington Fellows will connect with over 75 invited Fellowship stakeholders from public, private, and non-governmental institutions. U.S. Government offices will have booths, including ECA’s Office of Alumni Affairs, USAID, USADF, the YALI Network, and Prosper Africa.

Wednesday, Jul 13, 2022

11:00 – 11:10 a.m. | Welcome

Welcome Remarks

U.S. Congressional Welcome

• Karen Bass, U.S. Representative, California

11:10 – 12:00 a.m. | A Conversation on “The Power of Your Network”

• Acha Leke, Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company
• Amanda Nthati Chembezi, 2022 Mandela Washington Fellow, Presidential Precinct 

Moderator | Yolanda Sangweni, Vice President of Programming and New Content Development, National Public Radio

12:00 – 1:00 p.m. | Networking: “Ask Us Anything” with U.S. Government Representatives

Opportunity for Fellows to network, during which U.S. Government offices will also have tables open, including ECA’s Office of Alumni Affairs, USAID, and the YALI Network.

1:00 – 2:30 p.m. | Lunch

2:30 – 3:30 p.m. | Ignite Talks by 2022 Mandela Washington Fellows

Introduction | Kristen Lord, President and Chief Executive Officer, IREX

• Molly Abende, Purdue University
• Alaa Abusufian Elkabashi Dafallah, Wayne State University
• Shariphine Agoalikum, University of Colorado-Denver
• Rabiatou Aliyu Njapdounke, University of Georgia
• Kelvin Ashie, The University of Texas at Austin
• Kabota Chipopola, Michigan State University
• Cídia Chissungo, Kansas State University
• Mariama Coneh, Arizona State University
• Callixte Ikuzwe, Drake University
• Fatoumata Binta Jallow, Bridgewater State University
• Orengo Juma (“JD”), The Presidential Precinct
• Paseka Lesolang, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey (Leadership in Business)
• Tarisai Mac Millan, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey (Leadership in Civic Engagement)
• Sinenhlanhla Mbanjwa, Northwestern University
• Thulise Mhlanga, University of Iowa
• Thomas Mphahlele, Lehigh University
• Tawonga Msowoya, University of Delaware
• Clandestine Mupangani, Appalachian State University
• Victoria Mwanziva, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
• Rosemary “Rose” Nayeja, Texas Tech University
• Beverly Ndifoin, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Kevin Niangoran, Clark Atlanta University
• Laura Nicol, Howard University
• Daniel Akinola Oladoja, University of California, Davis
• Ronnie Brian Otieno, University of Notre Dame
• Bill Clinton Owiti, University of Nevada Reno
• Issa Thullah, Syracuse University
• Tunu A. Yongolo, Indiana University

3:30 – 3:45 p.m. | Break

3:45 – 4:15 p.m. | Next Steps Session

U.S. Government, IREX, and Alumni representatives will provide a high-level overview of the follow-on opportunities and resources available to Alumni after the Fellowship.  In-depth information on each opportunity will be available on the Fellowship Portal.  In addition, Alumni will share testimonials on remaining resilient in the face of challenges and discuss ways they have benefited from Alumni Opportunities and the Fellowship Network.

• Marcia Small, Deputy Project Director, IREX
• Sarah Kuruswo, Program Officer, IREX

4:15 – 4:30 p.m. | Break

4:30 – 5:00 p.m. | 2022 Summit Closing

Closing Remarks | Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Representative to the United Nations

2022 Leadership Impact Award Presentation

The Leadership Impact Award recognizes and celebrates the achievements of one outstanding Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni who has demonstrated servant leadership in their professional work and home communities.

Alumni Closing

Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni formally welcome the 2022 Fellows to the Fellowship Network.