Celebrating Mandela Day with the Mandela Washington Fellows

On Thursday, July 18th, the BFA Atlanta warehouse hosted a group of 30 volunteers known as the Mandela Washington Fellows.

Since 2014, the program has gathered young African entrepreneurs for special study and experience in the United States. Also known as the Young African Leaders’ Initiative, (YALI) it is a long-term effort to invest in the next generation of young African leaders and strengthen partnerships between the U.S. and Africa. More specifically, to empower young leaders through academic coursework, leadership training, mentoring, networking, experiential training opportunities, and community engagement. The 2025 Fellows studying at Clark Atlanta University were from 24 different African countries. 

Economics and Business professor Dr. Mesfin Bezuneh has been the Director of the Mandela Washington Fellows program at Clark Atlanta University since it began. The Fellows stay for 6 weeks at CAU and immerse themselves in myriad experiences. A large portion of the program is community service, so the trip to Books For Africa was the perfect place to engage.

 

As part of their celebration and community engagement in recognition of Mandela Day, Dr. Bezuneh and his team coordinate a volunteer experience with Books for Africa each year. Dr. Bezuneh has long been affiliated with BFA and has brought his group to sort books for several years in a row.   

 

“This activity has always been meaningful to our Fellows and aligns beautifully with the spirit of service that Mandela Day represents”, said Bezuneh. He added, “all the Fellows enjoyed it immensely and couldn’t stop talking about the experience!”