The prestigious NBA headquarters in New York played host to the highly anticipated launch of the second edition of "Teaming Up: African LeadHERs meet BAL4HER," a collaborative mentorship program led by the Basketball Africa League (BAL) and Speak Up Africa. This initiative, now in its second year, seeks to uplift and empower young African women through meaningful mentorship from leading female executives in sports. The core themes include leadership, gender equality, and public health advocacy.
Following the success of its inaugural edition, this year's program will continue its mission by mentoring 10 young women, offering them unique opportunities to learn, grow, and connect. The selected mentees will benefit from leadership coaching, mentorship, and workshops tailored to help them navigate the sports industry and beyond. The aim is to cultivate a new generation of leaders in African sports who are equipped to make a positive impact both on and off the field.
Fireside Chat: Insights on Gender Equality and Responsibility in Sports
One of the standout sessions of the event was the fireside chat moderated by Ros Gold-Owunde, a prominent sports broadcaster. The discussion featured NBA legend Joakim Noah, who serves as an ambassador for the Basketball Africa League, and WNBA star Hamchetou Maiga.
Noah was a powerful advocate for gender equality in sports, emphasizing that "Women deserve the same opportunities men have." Reflecting on his charitable work across Africa, he said, "Building courts, I am always very proud to be African and do my part." He also spoke about his One City initiative, a basketball league founded in Chicago, explaining its mission: "Not to create the next pro, but to come together and do it right, in the name of sports."
Hamchetou Maiga shared her perspective on the role basketball has played in her life, underscoring its ability to develop leadership skills and resilience. "Basketball has so much impact: you become a competitor, a leader," Maiga noted, reinforcing the transformative power of sports in building character and ambition.
Panel Discussion: Leadership and Mentorship in a Growing Sports Ecosystem
In a following panel titled "African Female Leadership and the Power of Mentorship," NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi joined other prominent figures to discuss the importance of female leadership in the evolving African sports landscape. Akamanzi highlighted the weight of responsibility that comes with leadership roles, stating, "You can be shaping destinies; you have to be careful with how you use the opportunity and the privilege of leadership."
Her reflections were a reminder of the powerful influence leaders can have on the future of sports in Africa, especially in terms of advancing gender equality. Akamanzi also emphasized the need for mentorship and the importance of women having the same opportunities as men, a theme that echoed throughout the day's discussions.
Mentoring the Future of Women in African Sports
The Teaming Up: African LeadHERs meet BAL4HER program continues to be an essential platform for the development of young women across Africa. It's not just about helping them succeed professionally but also about empowering them to become advocates for change within their communities. By combining leadership development with a strong emphasis on social impact, this initiative seeks to shape a more inclusive future for African sports.
Mentees will be given hands-on experiences, shadowing their mentors, participating in leadership workshops, and gaining valuable insights into the business of sports and advocacy. With a commitment to fostering personal growth and professional development, this mentorship program offers an invaluable resource for these young women.
The event also showcased the Speak Up Africa LINGEER Exhibition, which celebrated the achievements of African women in sports and further highlighted the need for inclusion and equality in the basketball community.
Looking Forward
Building on the strong foundation of the first edition, this second installment of the mentorship program promises even greater reach and impact. Running from November 2024 to June 2025, it will offer its participants a transformative experience that prepares them to lead with confidence, integrity, and purpose, both within the sports world and in their broader communities.
As this program grows, it continues to break barriers and inspire a new generation of African women leaders who are ready to rise to the challenges of tomorrow.
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