The principles and ethos of We Will Lead Africa (WWLA)[1] are to centre everyday African leaders who model the following:
We: Collaborative and accountable leaders, taking unified action for the collective
Will: The leadership grit, aspiration, and courage to do something, from wherever they find themselves
Lead: Everyday leaders motivated by service, in every sector and sphere, whether with formal titles or not—leaders with deep authenticity and integrity who focus on a values-driven path, even when it is challenging
Africa: A focus on possibilities and a prosperous continent, where divides are bridged and leaders work across boundaries and borders to achieve impact for Africa, now and for the future.
A primary identity we hold for the We Will Lead Africa (WWLA) movement is to be griots—capturing and preserving our leadership stories to inspire continued action toward building a more prosperous Africa.
In this vein, we have produced collections of personal narratives showcasing everyday leaders modelling effective leadership in and for Africa. See the full WWLA collection here.
We have also collaborated with Collateral Benefits on a series of Perspective Papers aimed to uplift African and Afro-descent intellect, wisdom, and experiences in the global conversations about modern issues. Read the papers here.
If you are interested in telling your African leadership story in one of our volumes, see our open call for submissions or contact us at submissions@wewillleadafrica.com.
[1] Gilpin-Jackson, Y. (2016). African Leadership: Now and for the Future, in Quist-Adade and Royal (Eds.), Re-engaging the African Diasporas: Pan-Africanism in the Age of Globalization. Cambridge Scholars.