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CDU Co-Hosts 25 Mandela Washington Fellows from Africa
CDU in collaboration with California State University , Dominguez Hills ( CSUDH ) and U . S Africa Institute co-hosted 25 of Africa ’ s emerging leaders for a two-week Alumni Enrichment Institute , sponsored by the U . S . Department of State .
The participants , who are alumni of the Young African Leaders Institute , are early to mid-career professionals from a diversity of professional areas . The cohort of 25 came from 22 different countries and visited Los Angeles late July to early August . The fellows visited the CDU campus , being able to network with CDU leadership , faculty and students . They were welcomed by Dr . David Carlisle , CDU President and CEO , and Sylvia Drew Ivie .
“ Welcome to Charles R . Drew University of Medicine and Science . On behalf of our Trustees , faculty , staff , and especially our University ’ s students it ’ s an honor to have each and every one of you here ,” said Dr . Carlisle . “ We ’ re very proud to have you all here in the foyer outside the School of Nursing . All of our programs are focused on eliminating healthcare disparities , particularly in individuals who are underresourced .”
The fellows also received CDU-branded gifts and were able to take a tour of the campus , including having lunch and dialogue with the LGBTQIA + Association ’ s student club leaders in the Student Center Lounge .
“ I would both like to express our gratitude for involving the LGBTQIA + Association in the luncheon event for the Mandela Washington Institute Fellows ,” shared Amina Latif , President of the LGBTQIA + Association . “ It was such an honor to meet everyone and have an open discussion on LGBTQIA + issues and provide a space to be creative in our art project to distribute birthday cards to incarcerated LGBTQIA + folks .”
The 25 leaders are part of a larger group of 200 Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni hosted at eight educational institutions across the United States . CDU / CSUDH were the only selected universities in the state of California . These institutions represent the diversity of U . S . higher education , including public and private schools , rural and urban campuses , and small and large student populations .
The fellows also connected with the local communities of Carson , Compton and Watts-Willowbrook , and engaged in network activities including with Congresswoman Karen Bass , the Mayor of Carson , LA Port Authority , Carson Chamber of Commerce , community activists , educators , university faculty , public health professionals , and business leaders .
The two-week Alumni Enrichment Institutes leveraged experiential and discussion-based learning to provide participants with broadly applicable knowledge about U . S . culture and society and immerse them in a U . S . community through community service , cultural exchange , strategic networking , and site visits . Participants also engaged in programming on topics such as the United States ’ diverse culture and society , resiliency and ethics in leadership , and social justice principles .