SAiD prioritize efforts to empower Africa’s next generation of civic leaders, entrepreneurs, and agents of change who will work together to address Africa’s greatest challenges. We will join others who believe that developing strong leadership is the most powerful lever for transforming Africa. Our leadership programs connect Africans with ambassadors, dignitaries, business leaders, academics, and policy makers working the front lines of these important issues. Each year, SAID selects a class of 50 candidates for the Leaders Of Change Initiative, a core group of young leaders representing multiple countries and a wide range of fields. The group meets during the Annual Summit where they explore critical issues and engage with our global partners. Day 1 of the Summit is dedicated to welcoming members of the incoming class the main forum for the Leaders of Change Network Forum takes place on Days 2 and 3.

The SAiD Center represents a welcoming public space that provides an opportunity for a new African narrative where the global community can experience the continent’s rich cultural heritage of music, dance, poetry, and art. The SAiD Center will be an imaginative, educational cultural hub for all ages to gather and deepen cultural knowledge and insight about the continent and its people. The Center will feature an open space to host lectures, exhibitions, and performances as well as a library stocked witha wide variety of books on Africa and the African Diaspora.. The SAiD Center will be a place where we can engage with Africa’s creative past and present, and help shape its promising future.

As Nelson Mandela says, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Education is the key to eliminating gender inequality, reducing poverty, creating a sustainable planet, preventing needless deaths and illness, and fostering peace. In a knowledge economy, education is the new currency by which community can maintain economic competitiveness and global prosperity. SAiD is providing the tools to support leadership development, promote entrepreneurship, and connect young leaders to each other.  Our Educational Program gives African and American students the opportunity to develop cultural exchanges and have valuable professional experiences in the fields of leadership, business management, technology and art.

In seeking new ways of building mutual understanding between the Africa and U.S., SAiD will launch a series of projects and events that explores areas of common interest and divergent views between the two continents. The program brings together experts, stakeholders, and participants in education, culture, philanthropy, arts, and media to discuss issues in a U.S.- Africa context. We recognize the importance of reaching out to those that will help foster policy dialogue on issues affecting immigration, education and long-term sustainable development in Africa. This will be a two-part event series,featuring top policy makers working in various ways to strengthen civic engagement, create pathways to education outside of the classroom, and protect and uplift the rights of immigrants and refugees.