Service Spotlight: O’Brien-Richardson leads new generation of Mandela Scholars

August 19, 2022
Mandela Fellows in front of Rutgers bushes
Mandela Fellows on the College Avenue Campus, Rutgers University
Professor O'Brien-Richardson with Mandela Fellows
Dr. Patti O’Brien-Richardson, center.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the U.S. Government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). Since 2014, nearly 5,100 young leaders from every country in Sub-Saharan Africa have participated in the Fellowship. The Fellows, between the ages of 25 and 35, are accomplished leaders and have established records of promoting innovation and positive impact in their communities and countries. In 2022, the Fellowship provided 700 outstanding young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa with the opportunity to hone their skills at a U.S. college or university with support for professional development after they return home.

Mandela Fellows NYC
Mandela Fellows in NYC

During the Fellowship, the Fellows participate in six-week Leadership Institutes, studying Business, Civic Engagement, or Public Management hosted by U.S. colleges or universities.  Throughout the Institutes, Fellows enrich local U.S. communities while sharing best practices. Rutgers University hosted two cohorts in 2022, one for Business and the other in Leadership and Civic Engagement, organized through Rutgers Global.

The 2022 Leadership in Civic Engagement Institute was led by Dr. Patricia O’Brien-Richardson, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy; Olabode Ibironke, Department of English; and Greg Costalas, Rutgers Global.  The Leadership in Business Institute was led by Kevin Lyons, Rutgers Business School and Johanna Bernstein, Rutgers Global.

Mandela Fellows in DC
Mandela Fellows in DC

After the Institutes, Fellows convene for a Summit, where they forge connections with one another and U.S. leaders from the private, public, and non-profit sectors, setting the stage for long-term engagement between the United States and Africa. Fellows may apply for the opportunity to work with private, public, and non-profit organizations for up to six weeks, either immediately following the Summit during their Fellowship or as Alumni. Both Fellows and Hosts benefit from discussing shared issues and challenges in their sectors, broadening their perspectives, and positioning U.S. organizations for international engagement.

Professor Robson with Students Mandela Fellows
Professor Mark Robson with the Mandela Fellows

Recent Posts

Sustaining Innovation in New Jersey Climate Policy

On March 21, 2025, the New Jersey Climate Change Resource Center at Rutgers University hosted a day-long conference titled “Sustaining Innovation in New Jersey Climate Policy: Past, Present and Future.” Approximately 200 New Jersey leaders came together to engage in a...

NJSPL: Examining Property Transitions in New Jersey

Who Are Corporate Landlords Acquiring Homes From? Examining Property Transitions in New Jersey New Jersey State Policy Lab, Eric Seymour In this fifth blog post on our research into corporate ownership of New Jersey’s one- to four-unit residential properties, we share...

Williams, Cantor, et al. Examine Black-White Death Inequities

Longitudinal Associations From US State/Local Police and Social Service Expenditures to Suicides and Police-Perpetrated Killings Between Black and White Residents Abstract Policy Points Despite documented inequities in suicide trends and police-perpetrated killing for...

Geisha D. Ester Appointed Executive Director of NTI

The National Transit Institute, part of the Bloustein School’s Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center, has appointed Geisha D. Ester as its new Executive Director.  Ester brings more than 27 years of transit industry experience and 18 years of leadership in workforce...

The Political Machine Won’t Decide NJ’s Next Governor

County bosses were stripped of the power to rig statewide elections. Now there’s no clear favorite in a state where Republicans are rising. The outcome of New Jersey’s June 10 gubernatorial primary is anyone’s guess. With no clear front-runner, the elimination of...