Introducing the Adinkra Fellowship: Empowering Rising Leaders from Africa and the African Diaspora
Who We Are
The Adinkra Alliance Institute is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable group primarily based in the United States. It is constructed on the legacy of impactful initiatives like Africa 35.35 Awards — a program that celebrated excellence amongst youth underneath 35 throughout the African continent. This new enterprise continues that legacy, however with a renewed and expanded ambition: to empower rising leaders from Africa and the African Diaspora.
About the Adinkra Fellowship
The Adinkra Fellowship is the flagship initiative of the Adinkra Alliance Institute. It connects distinctive leaders aged 40 and underneath from African nations and diaspora communities together with:
- African American
- Afro-Caribbean
- Afro-Latinx
- Black Canadian
- And different individuals of African descent worldwide
Each 12 months, the Fellowship gathers a various cohort of high-potential people throughout a number of sectors to:
- Build bridges between African and diaspora communities
- Inspire transformative change
- Cultivate long-term collaborations
- Foster management excellence
This distinctive program consists of immersive journeys, collaborative initiatives, mentorship, and extra — all designed to unite and uplift Black communities round the world.
What “Adinkra” Means
The phrase Adinkra refers to symbols from Ghana that symbolize enduring values comparable to:
- Integrity
- Resilience
- Unity
These symbols function visible representations of knowledge, tradition, and shared human values — guiding ideas that encourage the construction and mission of the Adinkra Fellowship.
Who is Eligible?
The Adinkra Fellowship invites purposes from rising leaders aged 40 or underneath who’re:
- From one in every of Africa’s 54 nations, or
- From the world African diaspora, together with African American, Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Latinx, Black Canadian, and others
Sectors Eligible for the Fellowship
Participants might come from a wide range of fields, together with:
- Business
- Technology and Innovation
- Arts and Culture
- Civil Society
- Public Service
Click HERE to get entangled.
What Fellows Can Expect
The Adinkra Fellowship gives a complete, enriching expertise that features the following program parts:
1. Two Week-Long Transformative Trips
Fellows will take part in two immersive journeys:
- Trip 1: Held in an African nation
- Trip 2: Held in a rustic with a robust African heritage
Key components of every journey embrace:
- Thought-provoking discussions on Africa and its diaspora
- Mentorship with established leaders
- “Meet the Leader” classes with high-profile figures
- Visits to vital cultural websites and pioneering organizations
- Team-building and management growth workshops
- A closing awards ceremony
All trip-related bills can be coated. Fellows can even obtain a $1,500 journey stipend ($750 per journey).
2. Group Projects
Between the two journeys, fellows work in groups of 3 to five members to develop:
- Innovative, community-based options
- Dissertations for peer overview
The prime one or two group initiatives can be chosen for:
- Seed funding
- Resources to pilot their concepts
- Support to scale the answer right into a long-term initiative or group
3. Adinkra University Tour
Upon program completion, every fellow is anticipated to host an experience-sharing occasion at a college or studying establishment. These occasions are designed to:
- Share private and skilled journeys
- Inspire younger leaders and college students
- Extend the impression of the fellowship to wider communities
4. Alumni Engagement and Events
Fellows develop into lifelong members of the Adinkra world management community. Post-fellowship, they proceed their involvement by way of:
- Alumni gatherings
- Continued mentorship
- Opportunities to deepen their social and group impression
Adinkra Achievement Lists
Separate from the Fellowship, the Adinkra Achievement Lists acknowledge and rejoice excellent people of Black and minority descent throughout varied sectors. This impartial recognition honors excellence and helps highlight inspirational changemakers working to advance fairness, innovation, and progress.
Selection Process
The Adinkra Fellowship makes use of a clear, merit-based choice course of:
- An open name for purposes and nominations
- Evaluation by a devoted jury panel
- Selection of 20 to 40 fellows for the inaugural 2026 program cycle
Apple HERE 3 July, 2025!
If you’re a younger changemaker driving impression in your group and throughout the African world, the Adinkra Fellowship is your alternative to hitch a motion of transformational management, connection, and innovation.
Stay tuned for application particulars and timelines on the official Adinkra Alliance Institute platform.
For extra alternatives, please go to the Opportunities for Youth‘s web site!
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Introducing the Adinkra Fellowship: Empowering Rising Leaders from Africa and the African Diaspora