Josephine (second from left) with some of the Akili Dada leadership team in Kenya in 2010

A loyal friend and fervent supporter of Akili Dada, Miss Josephine Karianjahi shares with us her reaction to an article she read about the power of female friendships to transform, challenge, and inspire us. Josephine, a young woman leader passionate about girls’ education and gender development, is pursuing a Master’s of Public Health at Columbia University. She is originally from Nairobi, Kenya. Thanks for sharing your thoughts Josephine!

“A friend sent me this link to an article that reminded me about Akili Dada. As a supporter of Akili Dada’s efforts to increase the number of women in leadership in Africa, I feel strongly that the other teachable lesson for the Akili Dada scholars is to model and engender valuable female friendships. In the story of these three women who do important humanitarian work, we see the power of friendship across generations. When I look at the inter-generational Akili Dada team, I see the best part of women working together, which is sisterhood – a sense of awareness and support for other women – being alive and well in the programmatic planning, actions and outcomes of Akili Dada. Their story reminded me that even though the world will change by the time the scholars are ready to take on leadership positions, the timeless connections that they create now within their groups and wherever they go will support them for a lifetime.”

Read the full article, Transformation and Transcendence: The Power of Female Friendship. And tell us – how have friendships shaped your life for the better? How have you transformed and transcended thanks to those friendships and those people? What would you want the next generation of leaders to know about forming friendships?

And indeed, the response from our community has truly been phenomenal!  We have been amazed by the outpouring of support that followed the announcement –  the emails, tweets, and blog posts about Akili Dada, the nearly 200 new Facebook likes we’ve received in the last few days, and the widespread media coverage in Kenya.  Wanjiru truly felt that she was walking into the White House with all of you, hands held high!

Watch Wanjiru speaking about Akili Dada below, or check out the full video from the event here.

Just as the Obama administration sees in our founder a Champion, we believe that within each Akili Dada scholar there is a passionate leader and a future champion of change in her own right. We need your help to make sure these young women are empowered to live up to their full potential!

Will you share our story with a few friends?

Will you stay engaged on social media – Facebook, Twitter, Google+ — and encourage friends to do the same?

Can you donate $20, $30, or $50 to ensure that our young champions – and many more like them – have all the support they need to excel?

Thank you for making our work possible and for sharing in this exciting moment with us. 2012 is truly off to an incredible start!

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of Communications

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

           January 27, 2012

White House Highlights Dr. Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg as a “Champion of Change” and Trailblazer in American Diaspora Communities

WASHINGTON, DC – On Monday, January 30th, the White House will honor Dr. Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg as one of fourteen Champions of Change who are leaders in American Diaspora communities with roots in the Horn of Africa. These leaders are helping to build stronger neighborhoods in communities across the country, and are working to mobilize networks across borders to address global challenges.

The Champions of Change program was created as a part of President Obama’s Winning the Future initiative. Each week, a different sector is highlighted and groups of Champions, ranging from educators to entrepreneurs to community leaders, are recognized for the work they are doing to serve and strengthen their communities.

“These men and women are American leaders we want to celebrate,” said Deputy National Security Advisor Denis McDonough. “We commend the innovative practices, achievements and leadership these change makers bring not only to their communities around this country—but also to the development of and diplomacy with their countries of origin.”

To watch this event live, visit www.whitehouse.gov/live at 3:00 pm ET January 30th.

Working at the intersection of academia and social entrepreneurship, Dr. Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg is passionate about the synergy between rigorous academic analysis and committed social activism. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Akili Dada, a leadership incubator investing in high-achieving young African women from underprivileged backgrounds with a demonstrated passion for social change. Holding a Ph.D. in Political Science, Wanjiru is also an Assistant Professor in the Politics department at the University of San Francisco, where her work centers on the politics of philanthropy, gender, Africa, ethnicity, and democratization, and on the role of technology in social activism.

Beyond the broad categorizations of the African diaspora and rhetorical questions posed by Dele Fatunla in his blog post, “What’s Diaspora Got To Do With It?“, he raises an important and timely question about what role the African diaspora plays and should play in supporting Africa’s growth.

Fatunla correctly lists remittances, tourism and brain drain as areas where diaspora have proven to have a critical impact in Africa, albeit sporadic at times. These are the most recognizable ways in which diaspora relate with Africa. They are not comparable to the experience of day-to-day living in Africa, but as a member of the diaspora that once relocated to my ancestral homeland of Eritrea for two years and currently spends half my time on the continent, I know there are additional ways Africans abroad are making an impact in Africa.

Before we explore those examples, it’s worth noting that Fatunla fails to define who exactly the diaspora is within the context of his analysis. It is overly simplistic and dangerous to suggest they are “a group of people who by and large fled the continent when it was most in need, and returned when it least needs them”. The diaspora must be disaggregated into its many parts and identify what contributions they actually are providing.

To begin, the “African diaspora” is not monolithic. We are a diverse, multifaceted & multigenerational demographic spanning every continent and socioeconomic status. There are exhaustive studies by the World Bank, Migration Policy Institute, DFID and countless NGOs exploring this definition. Many diaspora left home or were raised abroad for a variety of reasons, including war, conflict, insecurity or the lack of economic opportunity. Yet we remain connected with our homelands. Others grew up abroad and maintained a relationship with the continent by any means, either through regular visits, community language school or establishing transnational business ties. Even more significant however are the emerging diaspora youth leaders raised abroad and seeking to forge deeper relationships with their homelands, as will be revealed later in this piece.

The other shortcoming with What’s Diaspora Got to Do With It is that it falls completely short on recognizing the diaspora’s added value – which is far beyond economic remittances and sporadic tourism. Even though remittances continue to be the largest form of diaspora contributions, amounting to roughly $40 billion a year to support livelihoods and development, it is not the only form of significant deliverables from diaspora.

The last decade’s sudden explosion of technology, social media and new models for change has resulted in more contributions from the diaspora, particularly around long term development and advocacy. Here are just a few examples:

1. Promoting development: Through innovation, broad based networks, and tried and true outreach, diaspora are taking their love for Africa and applying it with ingenuity for good. Diaspora entrepreneurs and organizations are widening spaces in the continent for African-led development and growth. Initiatives such as Villages in Action, Shea Yeleen, Sierra Visions, Face Africa, and Akili Dada are just a few of the successful diaspora efforts launched in Africa with local communities. With each example, these organizations were founded by diaspora who arrived to the States at a young age, or were educated abroad, or were raised entirely abroad. The new face of diaspora and development is continuing to change.

2. Support for humanitarian emergencies: When disaster strikes, Africa’s greatest resource has consistently proven to be its people. Diaspora groups are a crucial lifeline to access those in need, by sending messages and delivering help. The current drought ravaging East Africa spurred Africans on the continent and abroad into action. Within weeks, Kenyans, South Africans, Nigerians, the broader Horn of Africa diaspora and more helped to raise millions of dollars for relief. Somalia’s famine motivated Somalis abroad to relocate and help people most in need. Efforts such as the Global Somali Response is one of many incredible examples of partnership and support. Again, another organization founded by a next generation diaspora leader.

3. Building bridges between Africans & non-Africans: Africa is not bound by its borders. As Nigerian-American journalist Dayo Olopade calls it, Africa is the “Bright Continent“. Its people are a rich source of energy, life and innovation. They are the bridges between countries and continents. By celebrating our rich cultural heritage, diversity and histories, relationships are forged with foreigners, including those unable to visit the continent themselves. Photos and stories are shared in the halls of the diaspora community center. Myths are dispelled. Messages are conveyed. And stereotypes are broken.

4. Adding new layers to the African narrative: Stories of Africa’s development and its needs must be told by those on the continent first, but diaspora do help facilitate those stories. They add a deeper layer to Africa’s story and are an asset. As diaspora groups grow in presence and participation, so too will these narratives. In addition to storytelling, diaspora owned businesses, faith based groups, community organizations, youth associations, and private enterprises are eager to carry Africa’s message to newcomers and supporters alike.

Here panelists (L to R) His Excellency Cyrille Oguin, Benin Ambassador to the United States; Mr. Anthony Archer, of the Diaspora Project at California State University Dominguiz Hills; and Ms. Gina Page, of African Ancestry discuss the important connections between Africa and the African Diaspora in the session “The African Diaspora – Investment, Citizenship, and Relationship”.

5. Helping to shape Western & regional foreign policy agendas and offering models of civic participation: New advocacy groups, civic associations and diaspora networks have also flourished in the West, particularly around conflict resolution, networking and economic trade with the continent. Assuming diaspora apply effective advocacy strategies, they can help shape foreign policy priorities and shift analyses for Africa’s betterment. Governments, organizations and decisionmakers recognize this power and potential of the African diaspora. They understand that beyond their wallets, diaspora are legitimate stakeholders in Africa’s future. The African Union has already declared the African diaspora as the Sixth Region of the AU. The United States, United Kingdom, and various African countries have also created initiatives and opportunities to engage with diaspora directly.

I agree with Fatunla’s premise that more investment must be made in Africa’s leaders on the continent to create the next generation of Adichies, Okollahs, Iewalas, and yes The Elders.

But having worked for and traveled with The Elders myself, and having had the chance to learn from African leaders in the diaspora, I can personally attest to the power and notion of Ubuntu: I am because you are. It is clear that diaspora have quite a lot to do with Africa because Africa has quite a lot to do with the diaspora.

Semhar Araia is founder & executive director of DAWN, the Diaspora African Women’s Network.

Reprinted with permission from Semhar Araia.

Akili Dada is gaining increasing attention in social media, especially in blogs on international issues. We were among a dozen organizations named to the “12 to Watch in 2012″ list compiled by How Matters.org, one of the leading blogs focused on international aid and philanthropy. How Matters.org aims to promote greater attention to local needs and grassroots initiatives in the development sector, raise the level of human dignity and empathy in international assistance, and increase resources for local means of overcoming obstacles in the developing world. See the full list of the 12 to watch in 2012.

Akili Dada’s Founder and Executive Director has been listed as one of the top “Africans to Follow on Social Media”.  The list is compiled by Independent Global Citizen, a network devoted to Africans helping Africans pursue sustainable development and self-determination. Check out the full list of African’s to follow on social media.

Akili Dada, a leadership incubator investing in the next generation of African women leaders, is proud to announce a $100,000 grant from Google.org in support of their 2012 programs.

Founded by University of San Francisco Assistant Professor Dr. Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg, Akili Dada is addressing women’s absence from decision-making and leadership roles across Africa.  Currently operating in Kenya, Akili Dada offers comprehensive scholarships, personalized mentoring, and rigorous leadership training to high-potential adolescent girls from impoverished families.

The generous grant from Google.org will enable Akili Dada to double the current number of young women in whom it invests.

Selected for their strong leadership potential and academic achievements, Akili Dada’s young scholars have also demonstrated a keen desire to address social inequities.  Akili Dada leverages this desire with a comprehensive set of interventions to produce highly educated, deeply experienced, and well-connected young African women leaders with an enduring commitment to justice and equality.

Akili Dada and its founder are the recipients of numerous awards, including the 2010 United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Marketplace of Ideas Competition, the 2011 Yamashita Prize from the Center for the Study of Social Change at the University of California at Berkeley, and the 2011 African International Achievers Award.

This $100,000 grant is part of over $100 million in total charitable giving by Google in 2011. Akili Dada is one of several dozen organizations receiving a total of $40 million in year-end grants from Google.org.

By Gloria Sang, Akili Dada scholarship beneficiary currently enrolled in medical school in Kenya. Gloria wrote this post during her internship at the Akili Dada offices in Nairobi from June to October of 2011. 

“It is 6:00a.m. in the morning and my alarm goes off. I need to wake up and go to work. I am only eighteen years old and I already have a job! It feels really good to have my own desk, a computer, work to do and responsibilities to handle. I am an intern at Akili Dada and I work at Hazina towers in Nairobi’s Central Business District. Interning at Akili Dada has been a great learning experience for me and a really inspiring one. I have been a mentor to high school girls, something I have never done before. I have always been the mentee and not the mentor. I have been able to interact with great women from a wide variety of professions (Akili Dada mentors); this has really inspired me to dream big since I can be who I want to be. The highlight of my internship has been the mentoring visits. Together with other Akili Dada staff, mentors and alumnae, I visited the Akili Dada girls in their various schools and discussed the various Akili Dada values – sisterhood, leadership, excellence, transformation, and integrity. It was interesting to see the picture collages that everyone came up with representing the Akili Dada values. The lessons I learnt were numerous and I cannot forget them.

Akili Dada has really molded and transformed me to who I am today. Ever since I became a ‘dada’ my life has changed a lot. They took good care of me as if they were my blood sisters. They paid my school fees, provided shopping [for personal hygiene products] since I was in a boarding school, and also mentored me. I was always visited by a great woman with numerous achievements, at least once every term. I never felt left out when my parents couldn’t make it for visiting days because I knew my mentor would visit me later in the term. She listened to my dreams, my aspirations, and my visions and always provided guidance.

I did really well in my final secondary school exams; I got a grade ‘A’ of eighty three points. That was when Akili Dada offered me an opportunity to do an internship at the office. Since I live in Eldoret, which is about three hundred kilometers from Nairobi where Akili Dada offices are located, they found a hostel for me where I am currently living. They also introduced me to another organization called Zawadi Africa Education Fund which helps African girls from poor families to get admissions to colleges in the United States. I am currently applying to several colleges including Harvard, Tufts University, University of Rochester and Whitman College. I have already taken my SAT 1 exams and I hope to perform well in them. I have also been called to Moi University, which is a public campus here in Kenya, to study Medicine. I will be going to school later this year but I’ll still be waiting to see if any of the colleges I applied to in the US will accept me.

I am always grateful for what Akili Dada has done for me in my life and words cannot express how thankful I am. They saw a great lady in this fifteen year old girl and decided to nurture and help me exploit my full potential. That was back then when I was in my second year in high school. Their belief in me really encouraged me and made me believe in myself too. They brought back faith in my life when I had given up hope of ever becoming an influential person in society. I dream day and night of how I am going to transform my community, society and country at large. I want to make a difference and Akili Dada has empowered me to do just that. I get so many different ideas with each passing day of how I can transform my society and make it a better place. I would like to become a doctor when I grow up and help those in my community who cannot help themselves. I would like to help those who are sick in my community and cannot afford treatment which is quite expensive. I was inspired to join this profession by several Akili Dada mentors including Miss Karianjahi who is a doctor at Gertrude’s hospital. I believe that I can make a difference and I am determined to do so.”

Akili Dada Founder and Executive Director, Dr. Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg, joined a panel discussion on this topic at the World Affairs Council, San Francisco, on November 21st, 2011.  Wanjiru was one of three thought leaders participating in a discussion about one of today’s hottest global topics – the extraordinary promised benefits of educating girls.

Joining Wanjiru on the panel was Ann Cotton, Founder and Executive Director of Camfed International (Campaign for Female Education), and Joel Samoff, Professor of African Studies and Political Science, Stanford University. Together, they explored the promises, challenges and effectiveness of different approaches to educating girls in Africa.

Listen to the podcast of this event.