100,000 Strong Africa Initiative Campaign Virtual Launch
February 28, 2022
The HBCU Africa Education Coalition (HAEC), in conjunction with 3GC, has a mission to use their 100,000 Strong Africa Initiative to leverage a Pan-African study abroad model to boost study abroad opportunities to the African continent for American students of African heritage. This is in recognition of the importance of American youth connecting with their past and appreciating the fullness of their identity.
On Feb. 21, the 57th anniversary of Malcom X's transition to the ancestors, Webster Ghana hosted the virtual launch and live streamed the event to their local website. The 100,000 Strong Africa Initiative--a five-year plan--is aligns with Webster University's longstanding study abroad program and mission to provide students with high-quality learning opportunities that prepare them for global citizenship.
We are excited about HAEC’s mission to bring a hundred thousand students of African descent from the continent over to the HBCUs partner institutions like Webster and to bring students from the diaspora to the continent for study abroad."
As a result, Webster University Ghana is happy to be a partner to this historical movement, which aims to bring together all students of African descent in order to form a coalition for African and Diasporan unity. Webster is a key partner of the conference and a member of HAEC. Through Webster WINS, the University already has partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and endeavors to grow these partnerships through this important, upcoming conference and collaboration.
The online event featured a line-up of diverse, world-class speakers: HBCU and Africa-based university presidents and administrators, students and alumni, Pan Africanists/historians, The Divine Nine and other special performances. The occasion was used to also promote the initiative's fundraising campaign which aims to give the select students a cost-free experience. The short-term objective is to raise funding for 100 Black American students to travel to Ghana and Tanzania in the summer of 2022. Ghanaian students will also have a chance to go along on the Tanzania leg of the trip.
"We are excited about HAEC’s mission to bring a hundred thousand students of African descent from the continent over to the HBCUs partner institutions like Webster and to bring students from the diaspora to the continent for study abroad," said Webster Ghana Campus Director Christa Sanders-Bobtoya.
This is an initiative to help to reduce the disparity of study abroad access for students of African descent and encouraging study abroad opportunities across Africa. The session also served as a warm-up for the Coalition's upcoming conference, which will be held from May 16-23. On May 19, Webster University Ghana will host a Pan-African student summit and mixer, bringing together Webster Ghana students and students of the African Diaspora to discuss pan-Africanism, international study and HBCU study abroad access for students of African ancestry.