Starting a Movement with JA Alumni Leaders in Africa

July 7, 2023

The first-ever JA Alumni Leaders Academy took place in Kampala, Uganda, last month. The Academy brought together 10 alumni leaders from 10 JA Africa locations to launch, expand, and grow the alumni communities in their respective countries.

Hosted by JA Worldwide, JA Africa, and JA Uganda in collaboration with PMIEF, the three-day intensive boot camp aimed to develop and grow JA alumni networks in the Africa region. The program provided each participant with the necessary skills and knowledge to become an effective leader in their respective alumni networks. At the end of the academy, each participant walked away with a strategy for alumni engagement in their country and ready to lead their alumni network for a minimum of one year.

Day 1 – June 29

Even before the Alumni Leaders Academy started, Sarah Rapp, Director of Alumni and People Engagement at JA Worldwide, and Howard Leong, Global Alumni Ambassador at JA Worldwide, supported host JA Uganda with the launch of the JA Company Program at a new partner school, Green Hills Academy. The JA Company Program often marks the start of the JA and JA alumni journey for many students around the world.

That evening, the Alumni Leaders Academy officially kicked off with a dinner with all ten JA alumni leaders from Africa:

Côte d'Ivoire – Ibrahim Coulibaly
Eswatini – Bonginkosi Ntshalintshali
Ghana – Emmanuel Nyame
Kenya – Ted Mwatha
Mascareignes – Pooja Teerbhun
Nigeria – Oluwatobi (Temitayo) Ogunles (representing Imade Iyamu)
South Africa – Ntwanano Rikhotso
Uganda – Edrine Lusiba
Zambia – Steven Banda
Zimbabwe – Godfree Saruchera

JA Africa staff members Mujeni Aseli, Marketing & Partnerships Director, and Senanu Adiku, Marketing & Partnerships Manager, also attended the Academy.

*JA alumni leaders at dinner at the end of Day 1.*

Day 2 – June 30

The JA alumni leaders’ second day was jam-packed with sessions, both learning and networking opportunities. The Alumni Leaders Academy’s top goals are to create a bond and a strong connection among the alumni leaders, kick off the African movement, share best practices, learn from one another, and establish a one-year strategy for their countries.

Sarah Rapp hosted a series of workshops on being a leader, the global JA alumni communities, and KPIS, while Howard Long held workshops on econometrics and quantifying social impact. Each shared their personal JA journeys and encouraged the leaders to share their own.

The alumni leaders discussed ideas for their strategic plans for their countries in small groups, which they then presented to the larger group.

Day 2 also included a press conference with UBC Uganda, a national television station.

After the day’s work, alumni leaders attended Alumni Night, organized by JA Uganda Alumni. Networking with a group of 70, participants included local JA alumni champions, JA staff, partners, local JA alumni business owners, and collaboration partner PMIEF.

Day 3 – July 1

Day 3 focused on alumni strategic plans, including setting goals, establishing milestones, and determining how the JA alumni community can help reach as many JA students as possible. Each of the alumni presidents pitched their plans for the next year. Curious about these plans? Watch all ten presentations.

In the latter half of the day, alumni leaders relaxed with a city tour of Kampala with a local JA alumni entrepreneur.