BEYOND-THE-CLASSROOM

Saturday Success Academy meets two (2) Saturday mornings each month (beginning in October) on a university campus. The program curriculum empowers high school students with critical ways of thinking, creative ways of problem-solving, and developing vital cultural competences necessary to compete in the 21st century global economy. The program incorporates a collaborative learning  methodology throughout the school-year curriculum to engage students, parents, peer and adult mentors, corporate and community partners in nurturing the leadership strengths needed to meet program objectives.  During the school year, students will:

• Explore the role gender diversity initiatives play in strengthening businesses

• Gain a historical and cultural knowledge of Africana history

• Have a university sponsored undergraduate student as an academic mentor for either one semester or one year

• Strengthen college readiness skills

• Develop economic and workforce development skills

• Engage in healthcare and human services workshops facilitated by medical practitioners to support healthy routines, behaviours, and relationships

• Synthesize the historical and geographic link between cultural/Afro beats music, American blues, and contemporary world music

• Coordinate cultural, arts, and holiday programming to strengthen collaborative engagement with parents and families

• Lead peer-to-peer academic and social engagement workshops

• Learn to align passion while pursuing vocation

• Develop a socially-driven business plan idea

• Prepare for summer business plan presentation

• Coordinate with parents to organize the annual "road to college" farewell celebration for 12th graders



The Young Diplomat and Entrepreneur Summer is a four-week summer institute for rising 9th-12th grade students.  The program integrates visiting young African leaders with high school students to foster 

mutual understanding, respect, and civic engagement among young Americans and the international cohort.  During the program, US high school students and the young African leaders participate in workshops, community service activities, team building exercises, meetings with community leaders, and global leadership development.   

Both cohorts will work with families and members of the professional community to develop experiential learning opportunities that introduce various models of addressing local, national, and international socio-political issues. Through interactive engagement and role play, students will examine leadership's influence and impact within various models - then work in teams to define and develop strengths-based leadership strategies.  Program participants will: 

• Explore social, political, and economic issues, as well as community resources, opportunities and challenges

• Showcase presentation and leadership skillsets through panel discussions, site visits to local organizations, and interactive dialogue with other peer leaders

• Strengthen authentic self-awareness by exploring personal values, philosophies, prejudices and beliefs

• Develop relationship skillsets between people with different world views

• Explore innovative roles community plays in Africa’s ongoing development.

The BRIDGE Fellows Exchange Program is a leadership training and global exchange capstone for selected rising U.S. high school 12th grade students. Participants travel abroad to gain firsthand knowledge of foreign cultures and to examine globally significant issues, such as the environment and climate change, food security and nutrition, the role of the media, and science and technology.  

Programs involve homestays with local families, language lessons, leadership development, and community service opportunities. The cohort includes a team of high achieving 12th graders who will represent the program as youth ambassadors abroad.   

Workforce and Career Readiness Training is a component of the BRIDGE Fellows capstone program and is designed to engage the next generation of leaders. The program creates unique opportunities for workforce collaboration in Africa to put those new skills to practical use in propelling economic growth and prosperity and strengthening democratic institutions. Program will focus on the following areas:

• Business and Entrepreneurship - designed for aspiring African diaspora entrepreneurs who hope to take on leadership roles within the private sector or start their own business ventures on the continent.

• Civic Leadership - oriented to young African diaspora students who are civically engaged and serve the public through non-governmental organizations, and/or volunteer or community-based organizations.

• Public Management - tailored to young African diaspora students who work or aspire to work in all levels of government, regional organizations such as the African Union, international bodies such as the United Nations and USAID, or other publicly-minded entities or think tanks.