The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the U.S. Government’s Young African Leaders Initiative. Since its inception in 2014, the Fellowship has brought nearly 7,200 young leaders from every country in Sub-Saharan Africa to the U.S. for academic and leadership training. Approximately 620 Fellows were competitively selected from over 58,000 applicants this year, which marks UT Knoxville’s first year participating in this prestigious program.
The Fellows, between the ages of 25 and 35, are accomplished leaders in agriculture, business, civil society, education, energy, healthcare, technology, and other fields. They are divided amongst 26 U.S. educational institutions in 21 states where they participate in six-week Leadership Institutes focused on Business, Civic Engagement, or Public Management. This year, UT Knoxville and Tennessee State University (TSU) partnered to host 24 Fellows from 18 African countries for the Civic Engagement Leadership Institute.
UT Provost Dr. John Zomchick welcomes the 2025 Mandela Washington Fellows cohort to campus.
“The energy of these 24 Mandela Washington Fellows was infectious, from UT Libraries to Neyland Stadium to Market Square and TVA Headquarters, these early career professionals brought an energy and intellectual rigor to their surroundings that we seldom see in the summer,” Dr. Will Jennings, Associate Vice Provost for Global Learning and Impact, said. “Volunteers began to see our university, our hometown, with new eyes and realize the promise that exists in our backyard. It was great to see the community rally around this project and put our best foot forward. It was the subtle contributions of Knoxvillians that made this such a unique experience – from homemade lunches to Smokies games, and Sunday services – people opened their homes and their minds in unique ways to foster this deeper level of global engagement.”
The executive-style program involves comprehensive academic sessions covering the American political and legal systems, data analysis and visualization, grant writing, and leadership training. For the first three weeks of the program, UT exposed the Fellows to cultural experiences—such as Juneteenth, African Heritage Night, and 4th of July festivities—community service activities, and networking events that connected them with local mentors and organizations. The cohort explored East Tennessee’s rich history through visits to Green McAdoo Cultural Center, Museum of Appalachia, and Chattanooga, while experiencing the region’s unique geography at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Norris Dam, Ijams Nature Center, and Blackberry Farms.
Visits to Oak Ridge National Laboratory, TVA Headquarters, and UT’s Institute of Advanced Materials and Institute of Agriculture demonstrated Knoxville’s cutting-edge research and industry and showcased Tennessee’s role in energy, materials science, and agricultural innovation.
Sana Balde, fellow from Guinea-Bissau, described the experience as transformative and enriching.
“I had the opportunity to learn from exceptional mentors and engage with inspiring peers,” said Balde. “The program provided a platform for personal and professional growth, allowing me to develop valuable skills and build a strong network. The academic sessions were insightful, and the diverse activities encouraged collaboration and cultural exchange. While the intensity of the program was challenging at times, it pushed me to expand my horizons and think critically about my role in driving positive change.
“Overall, the fellowship has deepened my commitment to making a difference and has equipped me with the tools and connections to do so.”
Following a closing ceremony on July 11, these exceptional young leaders traveled to TSU where they spent the remaining three weeks continuing to build technical and leadership capacity before return to their home countries.