The next generation of African

Joseph created YouTube channels for STEM, arts, and entrepreneurship, sharing 500+ opportunities and 45 educational videos, building a community of 15,000+ students from eight countries. Passionate about chemistry, he developed a method to produce drinkable water from air using advanced cooling technology and is researching Metal-Organic Frameworks for better water extraction.

Laurier is a young entrepreneur and environmentalist. She is the Founder of the Somi Foundation, which aims to provide assistance to children residing in children’s homes, offering essential provisions like food, clothing, sanitary towels, and books. In a commitment to environmental stewardship, the Somi Foundation plants a tree at each children’s home that they visit, symbolizing their dedication to environmental conservation. Laurier’s extraordinary dedication and innovative initiatives earned the Somi Foundation a coveted nomination for the Green Kids Awards in Kenya, an award for youth in Kenya who make a positive impact on the environment.

Leonah founded Project Jabula to address period poverty by providing skills training and sanitary pads. It has trained over 20 youth and donated 1,000+ pads, reaching over 250 young people in Mpumalanga. Leonah was named Swedish Embassy in Pretoria Ambassador for a Day, a ShE Leader, Kukaya Fellow, and Sesi Fellow. She is passionate about empowering African youth.

While a second year student at ALA, Abdulrasaq ‘Dulra’ Amolegbe ’20 from Nigeria founded Dot, a fintech startup company that offers a cashless transaction platform specifically designed for immigrant students in Africa. Dot collaborates with a network of financial and technology partners to provide a digital wallet, a virtual Mastercard, and seamless peer-to-peer transfers, eliminating the need for in-country bank accounts or credit/debit cards.

During his freshmen year at Lehigh University, Dulra became the first freshman in the university’s history to receive not just one, but two of the college’s most prestigious awards for entrepreneurship.

After graduating from the University of Notre Dame as a Hesburgh-Yusko Scholar, Geraldine taught EL at ALA in 2017-2018, and then transitioned to teaching at LEAF Academy, a partner school in Slovakia. Most recently, Geraldine returned home to Zimbabwe, where she taught Reasoning and Research Methods at USAP Community School. While at Stanford, Geraldine will be doing a PhD in Curriculum Studies and Teacher Education, with the hopes of returning home to help shape educational interventions across the continent.

Ubong graduated from Kenyon College in 2023 and received two of the college’s top awards for her remarkable impact as Student Council President.  Her passion lies in improving healthcare access and educating others on disease prevention in marginalized and under-resourced communities via public health research, innovative biotechnological tools, and culture-informed approaches. After Kenyon, she is planning to work in the biotechnology field and later continue her studies through an MPH/Ph.D degree program.

Eddy Oketch has been a lifelong activist with a deep commitment to the people of Kenya. While at ALA, he built a peacebuilding movement that engaged over 10,000 Kenyan youth.

He is now the youngest member of Kenya’s Senate. Eddy is committed to peacebuilding, economic opportunity, and climate resilience. Eddy is supported by fellow ALA alumnus John Sankara ’09 (Kenya) who is serving as his Chief of Staff.

Fatima Al Ansar is a women’s rights advocate and consultant on peace and security in the Sahel Region. In 2018 she was named the Head of Mission at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Mali – making her the youngest Malian diplomat at the age of 26. She is also the founder of Tilwalte Girls Peace Network, a program that empowers girls to be peace ambassadors through entrepreneurship, leadership, and peace-building training.

Netflix launched ‘African Folktales, Reimagined’ in conjunction with UNESCO to identify and support up-and-coming filmmakers from across sub-Saharan Africa.

Mohamed won for his short film entitled The Enmity Djinn, and will receive $25,000 plus a $75,000 production budget to create a short film that showcases the continent’s rich cultural heritage.