The young African Leaders Initiative Regional Leadership Center (YALI RLC) alumni chapters constitute a network of individuals who have successfully completed the YALI RLC program. Launched by the U.S. government, the YALI initiative is designed to empower young African leaders in advancing growth, prosperity, democratic governance, and peace and security across Africa.
The YALI RLC alumni chapters serve as structured and registered organizations with a primary focus on facilitating networking opportunities for former participants to maintain connections, exchange insights, and collaborate on projects. These chapters also prioritize continuous learning and professional development through a series of events, workshops, and seminars to nurture sustained personal and career advancement. Moreover, they engage in community service initiatives that address a spectrum of social, economic, and political challenges. Additionally, they offer mentorship to new participants, share resources, and extend guidance on a multitude of issues. By assuming advocacy and leadership roles within their respective communities, these chapters actively contribute to driving positive change and fostering leadership development.
The YALI RLC Alumni Day of Giving focuses on showcasing alumni, enabling them to apply the knowledge acquired during the YALI training by making a positive impact on local communities and address community challenges. This day serves to invigorate the spirit of generosity among Africans, directly impacting individuals’ lives. Scheduled for July 31, 2024, the Day of Giving encourages donations to one of four YALI RLC Alumni projects in Cameroon, Somalia, South Africa, and Togo, led by YALI RLC Alumni Chapters in those countries.
Each project focuses on addressing critical local community needs in different regions: In Cameroon, the focus is on promoting social inclusion of orphaned and vulnerable youth to prevent radicalization and gender-based violence. Somalia’s project empowers Somali youth to become leaders and peacebuilders through leadership training, community peace projects, and policy influence training. South Africa’s chapter is committed to restoring dignity and hope in informal settlements by providing training, economic and employment opportunities, safety, and basic human rights. Meanwhile, In Togo, efforts are concentrated on preventing unexpected fires in the markets by training vendors on fire prevention and containment strategies.
Together, these projects embody the collective impact and positive change that the YALI RLC Alumni network strives to achieve. Participants are encouraged to share their contributions and stories on social media, spreading awareness and inspiring others to join this noble cause.
