On Friday 25 September 2015, the Links Club in New York City hosted an African Leadership Academy event that was attended by 115 guests included members of the Academy’s US Advisory Council, the African Leadership Foundation board and several ALA alumni.
The highlight of the evening was a leadership dialogue between a distinguished leader, Graca Machel, former First Lady of South Africa, and a future leader, Brian Waweru, a member of the Academy’s Class of 2009. The dialogue provided powerful positioning and motivation for the youth of today. Mrs Machel challenged young Africans to organize themselves to pursue opportunities, without hubris and entitlement, but with a preparedness to fight for their future. She remarked that where the previous generations of African youth fought for political freedom, this generation of youth is tasked with an economic battle.
On the evening, ALA founders Fred Swaniker and Chris Bradford also accepted gifts from the Diamond Empowerment Fund and the Financial Times. We are thankful to them and all our financial supporters around the world, whose generosity enables the Academy’s work.
The Academy extends gratitude to Matthew Tierney for hosting the event at the Links club. The event kicked off our 2015 North American Indabas – reunions for our young leaders who are currently based in the United States. Three Indabas will be held in New York City, Chicago and Palo Alto.
