Fellows

The Moremi Initiative’s Leadership Development program identifies young African women with potential and passion for transformational leadership roles and prepares them through rigorous training to take such roles. Each year Moremi Initiative identifies a cadre of 25 extraordinary young African women between the ages of 19-25.Candidates are drawn from every region in Africa and the Diaspora through highly competitive processes and according to criteria that include demonstrated leadership potential, service to their community, and commitment to women’s empowerment. As such, the resulting team of Fellows come with diverse social and professional backgrounds

Following selection, Fellows take part in a year-long training and mentoring program designed to build skills, strengthen networks, and give them knowledge of external supporting systems. Fellows then progress through three phases that include 1) identification and preparation through leadership development, networking, conferences, mentoring, and training, 2) promotion through media coverage and networking, and 3) support through career planning, management, and access to resources.

Fellows kick start the yearlong Fellowship with a three-week intensive residential institute in the summer, where they take classes and work on a development plan that identifies long-term career interests and community-based projects addressing critical issues. After the institute, Fellows’ transition into either mentoring, internships, or workplace exchange opportunities that help them build their skills and cultivate connections. These activities are substituted with long distance, mostly online courses that enable Fellows to participate while they remain full time students or workers. Upon completion of the program, Fellows transition into the MILEAD Fellows Network. Together they form a powerful and growing pan-African community of exceptional young leaders that can dramatically impact the future of the continent.

Objectives of the MILEAD Fellows Program

To foster a cadre of young African women leaders empowered to promote social justice and transform their communities.
To enhance the capacity of women and girls as advocates and agents for advancing women’s rights and empowerment.
To develop leadership capacity in women and girls using different mentoring approaches, such as role modeling, shadowing, peer review, internships, and placements
To equip women and girls to build intra- and inter-generational solidarity that cuts across borders.
To empower women and girls to facilitate and lead research projects in the areas of leadership.
To develop a knowledge base that takes into account different leadership perspectives
To identify, strengthen, and maintain critical partnerships that facilitate the development of close links and networks among alumni and between them and other leaders and organizations across the globe.

Program Benefits

We seek to increase the visibility of women and girls in African society, increase advocacy on women’s issues, and establish a strong international network to promote African women’s leadership. Benefits to selected candidates include:

Fellows will gain excellent skills in leadership, activism, research, mentoring, public speaking and advocacy among others.
Access to opportunities and resources for education, professional, leadership and personal development. Fellows are also supported to get into top Universities for further education
Knowledge of critical cutting-edge issues such as human rights concepts, women’s human rights, leadership concepts, gender equity and social justice.
Upon successful completion of the program, Fellows become automatic members of the Moremi Fellows network.
Fellows enjoy long-term support for both personal and leadership development through Moremi and its partner networks.
Fellows’ achievements and initiatives are promoted through our partner network and the media for visibility and exposure.
Fellows will have access to readily available Moremi Initiative mentors including some of the most outstanding African women leaders.
Fellows are supported to implement personal community leadership projects on issues of importance to their peers, school, community, or country.