MILEAD Fellows

Welcome to the MILEAD Fellows Program

The MILEAD (Moremi Initiative Leadership Empowerment and development) Fellows Program offers a unique, long-term developmental approach to identifying young African women with potential and passion for transformational leadership roles, preparing them through rigorous training, and promoting their achievements and capabilities.

Each year Moremi Initiative identifies a cadre of 25 extraordinary young African women between the ages of 19 and 25. Candidates are drawn from every region in Africa and the Diaspora and come with diverse social and professional backgrounds. Fellows are identified and recruited from throughout Africa and the Diaspora through a highly competitive process and criteria, including demonstrated leadership potential and promise, and service to their community and commitment.

Fellows take part in a yearlong training and mentoring program, designed to build skills, strengthen networks, and provide support for women in reaching their goals. Selected fellows begin by attending a three week intensive residential leadership institute in the summer where they take classes and work on a development plan that identifies long-term career interests and community-based projects addressing critical issues.

Over the course of a year, young women selected as fellows progress through three phases that include 1) identification and preparation of fellows through the leadership development, networking, conferences, mentoring, and training, 2) promotion of fellows through media coverage and networking, and 3) support of fellows through career planning, management and access to resources. After the summer institute, fellows’ transition into a yearlong mentoring, internship, and workplace exchange opportunities that help them build their skills, gain professional experience, and cultivate connections. The rest of the yearlong programs are long distance and are flexible to enable Fellows participate while they remain full time students and workers. Selected fellows are linked with experienced women leaders who are committed to supporting and nurturing the next generation of African women leaders. Upon the completion of the yearlong fellowship, fellows’ transition into the MILEAD Fellows Network- a dynamic community of exceptional young leaders with a shared commitment to shaping Africa’s future. Together they form a powerful and growing pan-African community that can dramatically impact the future of the continent.

Applications for the fellowship are opened on the 31st of January each year. Click here for the 2010 Application.

Who can participate

Moremi Initiative will identify and recruit young women between the ages of 19 and 25 to participate in the leadership development program. By convening participants drawn from each region, Moremi Initiative will enable fellows to cross-examine various concepts of leadership in a broad African context. Moremi Initiative will collaborate with national organizations, advisors and institutions to identify and recruit fellows with potential, experience and commitment to the development and participation of women in the development of Africa. All young African women leaders who meet the criteria are invited to apply. Young women from minority and underprivileged backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply.

Objectives of the MILEAD Fellows Program

• To foster a cadre of young African women leaders empowered to promote social justice and transform their communities.
• • To enhance the capacity of women and girls as advocates and agents for advancing women’s rights and empowerment.
• To develop leadership capacity in women and girls using different mentoring approaches, such as role modeling, shadowing, peer review, internships, and placements
• To equip women and girls to build intra- and inter-generational solidarity that cuts across borders
• To empower women and girls to facilitate and lead research projects in the areas of leadership
• To develop a knowledge base that takes into account different leadership perspectives
• To identify, strengthen, and maintain critical partnerships that facilitate the development of close links and networks among alumni and between them and other leaders and organizations across the globe.

Program Benefits

We seek to increase the visibility of women and girls in African society, increase advocacy on women’s issues, and establish a strong international network to promote African women’s leadership. Benefits to selected candidates include:

• Fellows will gain excellent skills in leadership, activism, research, mentoring, public speaking and advocacy among others.
• Access to opportunities and resources for education, professional, leadership and personal development. Fellows are supported to get into top Universities for further education
• ? Knowledge of critical cutting-edge issues such as human rights concepts, women’s human rights, leadership concepts, gender equity and social justice.
• ? Upon successful completion of the program, fellows become automatic members of the Moremi fellow’s network.
• Long term Support:
• o Fellow’s achievements and initiatives are promoted through our partner network and the media for visibility and exposure.
• Fellows will have access to readily available Moremi Initiative mentors including some of the most outstanding African women leaders.

Applicants are supported to implement personal community leadership projects on issues of importance to their peers, school, community or country.