By Juliana Odu and Benjamin Ogbonna
Overview
By Juliana Odu and Benjamin Ogbonna
The National African Student Association, in collaboration with the esteemed Africa Mbele, organized a leadership conference and brought African student leaders from various universities across the country to the very heart of the conversation- Washington DC. The student leaders in attendance were from New York University, Spelman College, Morehouse College, Fisk University, The University of Oklahoma, Boston University, Prairie View A&M University, Maryville University of Saint Louis, DePaul University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and many others.
Special thanks to Dr. Laté Lawson-Lartego, Abby Maxman and Oxfam America for hosting our group.
Our sessions with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)- Bureau for Africa, Oxfam America and CARE were rigorous two way conversations. We were privileged to learn about illicit financial flows and its impact on the development of African nations and some of the strategies that have been invoked for centuries to expropriate money from those countries from Founding President of Global Financial Integrity, Raymond W. Baker, as well as Thomas Pogge, and James Henry from Yale University. These organizations and individuals provided us with a wealth of knowledge and we humbly appreciate and commend their dedication to accountability and change.
Both internal teams, from NAFSA and Africa Mbele, were proud to see how engaged the our member student leaders were in their dialogues with these leaders and how confident they were in asking tough questions to challenge the status quo. They came with a refreshing thirst for knowledge and were on their A-Game displaying professionalism and intelligence.
Special thanks to everyone on the NAFSA and Africa Mbele teams who worked tirelessly to make this conference a resounding success. This include but not limited to Kenneth Kungania, Benjamin Ogbonna, and Juliana Odu from the National African Student Association, and Paul Musembwa and Dr. Derreck Kayongo, Co-Founders of Africa Mbele. Bigger things to come!
To the student leaders in attendance: “You are the future, and the future is NOW. When it comes to achieving the goals you have, press down and do not let up. Speak up for yourself in ANY room you are in. Demand answers for the injustice and oppression you witness and know that you DESERVE those answers. Every historical movement started this way: individuals with a vision coming together. Know your vision for your continent and do not stop until it is beyond achieved. Amplify your impact through unity and continue to work with the other student leaders you connected with at this conference. We have no option but to be the chief drivers of the change we MUST see on our continent and this will not be easy but it will be worth it. NAFSA has so many great opportunities coming your way and we can’t wait to share them with you all.”
To the student leaders in attendance: “It is incredible that you represent just a glimpse of all the students that are of African descent here within the diaspora. After this amazing conference, I am left more than certain that Africa will be in great hands with you as emerging leaders.”
An organization that fosters the development of leaders who contribute to the economic, social, and cultural advancement of the African continent and it’s people in the diaspora.
