New York, NY; September 29, 2015 – The Diamond Empowerment Fund (D.E.F.) presented a check for $122,500 to support the next generation of leaders in Africa through access to higher education. The check was presented to ALA co-founders Fred Swaniker and Chris Bradford, on the eve of the African Leadership Academy’s Student Indaba held in New York City. Also on hand to receive D.E.F.’s donation was Graça Machel Mandela, former first lady of both Mozambique and South Africa.
Ms. Machel participated in an energetic discussion with guests and African Leadership Academy (ALA) alumni, focusing on preserving the African identity, addressing pressing social issues, and motivating the next generation of Africans towards significant and lasting change on the continent.
ALA, located in Johannesburg, South Africa, cultivates outstanding young students through a two-year program to prepare them for college. It stresses leadership, entrepreneurship, and African studies. Students return to their home countries after college graduation to apply what they’ve learned to building and improving their own communities.
The following day D.E.F. attended ALA’s regional indaba, a student-led day of sessions for ALA graduates, held at New York City’s Barnard College. Says D.E.F president Phyllis Bergman, CEO of Mercury Ring, “These bright young students are a shining example of Africa’s future. D.E.F is proud to support these emerging leaders who represent our ‘Diamonds Do Good’ mission of supporting transformative initiatives in global diamond communities.”