This archive report was first published on 14 July 2020.
Meet the 12 Africans joining Facebook's Community Accelerator ¶
Facebook has announced 12 African community leaders selected to join its Community Accelerator, a six-month programme that aims to equip communities with training, mentorship, and funding.
Launched globally in 2018, the Community Accelerator programme invests in leaders who are building communities around the world, including bringing people together, offering encouragement, and driving change.
According to Kezia Anim-Addo, Head of Communications for Sub-Saharan Africa: “We’re delighted to be welcoming 12 African community leaders to Facebook’s first Community Accelerator. We’ve seen time and again the power of communities in bringing people closer together and feeling more connected. We know community leaders can do amazing things when they have adequate support from others, tools to get the job done, funding to grow and belief in themselves.”
The selected community leaders will receive up to $30,000 in funding, with a total of $3 million available. They will learn from experts and coaches in the first three months of the programme, developing customized curriculums focused on growing their own communities.
The 12 community leaders selected from across Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa include:
- Hauwa Ojeifo, She Writes Woman (Nigeria) - Created “Safe Place Nigeria” in 2016 to provide a stigma and judgment-free space for young people to talk about mental health related issues.
- Bright Shiitemii, Mental360 (Kenya) - Founded Mental 360 in 2016 to give youth a safe platform to learn about mental health and illness and to access affordable holistic solutions.
- Lauren Dallas, Future Females (South Africa) - Founded Future Females in 2017 with a mission to increase the number of female entrepreneurs and support their success.
- Tony Onuk, The Root Hub (Nigeria) - Started The Root Hub in 2014 to provide a safe space for youths to build their ideas, grow their businesses, and access support.
- Esther Mwikalii, Metta NBO (Kenya) - Founded Metta NBO in 2015 as an entrepreneurs’ network with the goal of bringing together founders, policy makers, and investors to collaborate.
- Refilwe Nkomo, Visual Arts Network South Africa (South Africa) - Established Visual Arts Network South Africa in 2007 as a support point and development agency for contemporary art practice in South Africa.
- Naadiya Moosajee, WomEng (South Africa) - Founded WomEng in 2010 as a social enterprise aimed at attracting, developing, and nurturing the next generation of women engineering leaders.
- Abiodun Adereni, Helpmum (Nigeria) - Started Helpmum in 2017 to tackle maternal and infant mortality in remote rural areas in Nigeria.
- dillion phiri, Creative Nestlings (South Africa) - Launched Creative Nestlings in February 2011 to connect young African creatives to each other, to opportunities, and to resources.
- Rufaro Mudimu, Enke (South Africa) - Founded Enke in 2009 to bridge socioeconomic inequality by bringing young people together and equipping them with the skills and experiences to improve their lives.
- Tariro Bure, MINDS (South Africa) - Founded MINDS in 2010 as a platform rooted in cultural heritage and knowledge systems for youth to reclaim their African identities and transform the continent.
