The Mandela Washington Fellows Program is at the center of President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative, a State Department-led program that is working to provide opportunities to “spur growth, strengthen democratic systems and enhance peace and security.”
On July 11, 2014, several Black alumni collaborated with Dickey Center to host 30 South African business leaders at the Collis Center. Keith Jackson ’70 has spearheaded this relationship with Dickey and Tuck over the years, which led to BADA’s participation in the event. Here is how the Dickey Center captured the event:
“The Southern Africa value of Ubuntu (or “I am because we are”) embraces a philosophy of inter-connectedness and shared impact. We organized our YALI Washington Fellowship Institute with tis spirit in mind – each entity strong in its contribution to the program, but the whole stronger because of our work together. We could not have run such an impressive impactful experience without the help of so many involved – including you (BADA).
We sent a special thanks to Keith Jackson and also want to thank the entire Black Alumni of Dartmouth Association for helping make the Dartmouth YALI Washington Fellowship Institute such a success this summer. We were so glad to be able to schedule time for the networking event with BADA following the 50th Reunion of A Better Chance. It truly was a great opportunity for the Mandela Washington Fellows (as they are now called) to interact with our alums and develop networks for them to take with them back to Africa.
We hope the partnership started this summer will grow – perhaps with YALI engagement next summer, but perhaps in other new and novel ways of working together and sharing experiences.
Thank you again for taking time to meet with the Fellows and for encouraging other BADA members to do so. The Fellows were thrilled to meet all of you and left Hanover with fond memories and a promise to stay connected.
On behalf of the Dickey Center at Dartmouth College – MANY THANKS “
Present: Keith Jackson ’70, Garvey Clarke ’57, Richard Joseph ’65, Jessie Spikes ’72, Bev Love ’72, Tom Walker ’70.