Written by Colin McEvoy | July 22, 2024 | SHARE
The Mandela Washington Fellows at Lehigh University have experienced a transformative summer filled with leadership training, cultural exchanges, and professional development.
It’s been a busy summer for the Mandela Washington Fellows at Lehigh University.
The Iacocca Institute has been hosting 25 of Africa’s brightest emerging business and community leaders through the Fellowship program, providing leadership training, networking, professional development opportunities, and exciting events and site visits.
The six-week program has included visits to New York City and Philadelphia, a celebration of Nelson Mandela’s legacy, a team-building exercise with a NASCAR vehicle, tours of Lehigh Valley locations, keynote remarks from a senior health official, and a gathering with Mandela Washington Fellows from other universities.
“The Mandela Washington Fellowship program at Lehigh University has truly been an enriching experience,” said Marie Wade, a Mandela Washington Fellow and communications specialist from Senegal. “It's filled with learning, collaboration, and memories that will stay with me forever. This program is empowering the next generation of African leaders, and I'm so grateful to be a part of it.”
Iacocca Institute Executive Director Scott Koerwer added: “It’s been an exciting six weeks of enriching experiences, meaningful connections, and valuable skill-building for the Nelson Mandela Fellows, equipping them to become influential leaders in their home countries.”
New York City highlights
Among the highlights was a visit to New York City on July 12 that began at the Nasdaq Stock Exchange, where they watched the opening bell ringing, took a tour of the facility, and were even featured on a digital billboard on Times Square.
“That was such an amazing experience,” said Mariam Nakigude, one of the Fellows and founder of Eduvantage Uganda Limited. “When I first came here for this program, I never imagined I would have had the chance to be featured in Times Square like that.”
After Nasdaq, the Fellows visited Three Hills Capital, a private investment company that specializes in providing structured capital solutions and flexible financing to mid-market European businesses, particularly those led by entrepreneurs. They were personally hosted by Three Hills Capital partner Abhik Das.
Afterward, they visited the headquarters for the African Union Mission to the United Nations, which coordinates and advances the interests and positions of African Union member states within the U.N. system. It fosters collaboration on a range of global issues, including peace and security, sustainable development, human rights, and regional integration.
“We had a fascinating discussion with the African Union team about the role of young leaders in shaping Africa's future,” Wade said. “It sparked important conversations and left me feeling even more motivated to make a difference for my country Senegal.”
Summit with other Fellows
The Fellows also visited Rutgers University in New Jersey for a July 14 summit with other Mandela Washington Fellows hosted at Rutgers, Drexel University, and the University of Delaware. This included remarks from a leading health professional, as well as a hackathon in which teams brainstormed and proposed sustainable solutions to major health problems.
“When I saw the other Fellows, it felt like home,” Nakigude said. “It’s been a busy few weeks, so sometimes you start to feel tired, but getting together with the other Fellows immediately re-energized us all. It was like, ‘I see you guys, we’re all in this together, and we are really doing it.’”
Additionally, the Fellows visited various Lehigh Valley businesses and locations, including the Factory LLC. Located in a converted former Bethlehem Steel mill, the Factory is a Bethlehem-based investor and operator for food, beverage, and pet health companies in Lehigh Valley. It now hosts brands like Stuffed Puffs, Pipcorn, Honey Stinger, and ROAR Organic.
Cultural exchanges and team-building
Wade said one of the highlights from her time at Lehigh has been a Cultural Exchange Share program hosted on campus on July 7. “We had a blast cooking dishes from our home country and sharing them with everyone,” she said. “It was a great way to showcase our unique cultures and traditions, and seeing pictures from everyone's hometowns was truly eye-opening.”
Nakigude said one of her favorite activities was the Pit Crew Challenge, a unique experiential learning activity in which participants learn concepts of high-performing cultures and teamwork by serving as a pit crew and quickly changing the tires on an actual retired NASCAR vehicle.
“At first we were almost competing against each other, but then we realized, ‘No, we need to work together as a team,’” she said. “It teaches you when you look at something like it's a competition, you lose the knowledge of the others in a group. But when you work together as one, you become better and begin progressing so quickly.”
The Fellows also hosted a special breakfast on July 18 in honor of Nelson Mandela International Day. They celebrated the spirit of Mandela by staging a simulated debate involving several of the Fellows, while also incorporating dance, poetry, and reciting quotes from Mandela’s speeches.
“One thing I always remind people is talk about a small act of kindness that you’ve witnessed or been involved with, because that was one of his biggest messages: small acts of kindness change the world,” said Bishop Pikinini ‘23, a guide who worked with the Fellows.
The Nelson Mandela Fellows’ six-week program at Lehigh will conclude with a graduation ceremony on July 26. Lehigh President Joseph J. Helble ‘82 will also be hosting them for a dinner and networking event at his home this week.