African-American China Leadership Fellows Program
The 2023 program is now closed. The 2024 application window will open in February.
Program Introduction
The African-American China Leadership Fellows Program (AACLF) is dedicated to the development of mid-career African-American China professionals, striving to curb the under-representation of African-Americans in U.S.-China relations. We firmly believe that supporting rising African-American professionals is essential to enhancing the China space, improving U.S. national security and competitiveness, and better reflecting the diversity of the United States.
Now entering its fourth year, the program selects a group of outstanding, mid-career professionals and, through the guidance of experienced African-American mentors and the program team, helps them hone career skills, expand their policy knowledge, and activate professional networks to advance their careers. The ultimate goal is to help them navigate a path to senior leadership positions in their respective organizations and industries.
Mentors
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Robert Anderson
Attorney-Advisor, Office of General Counsel, International Affairs, U.S Treasury[/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/5″][vc_single_image image=”8214″ alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]
Dannielle Andrews
Faculty Advisor & Instructor, U.S. National War College [/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/5″][vc_single_image image=”8215″ alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]
Ebonique Barker
Lead, Global Government Affairs, Underwriters Laboratories[/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/5″][vc_single_image image=”8216″ alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]
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Keisha A. Brown, PhD
Associate Professor of History at Tennessee State University
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Daniel K. Delk, Jr.
Deputy Principal Officer, U.S. Consulate General Shanghai [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/5″][vc_single_image image=”8219″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]
Alethea Gordon
Director of Global Affairs, Global Public Policy, General Motors [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/5″][vc_single_image image=”8220″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]
Ann-Marie Padgett
Regional President, Asia and the Pacific, Bechtel Corporation. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/5″][vc_single_image image=”8221″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]
Keith Richburg
Director of the Journalism and Media Studies Centre at the University of Hong Kong [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/5″][vc_single_image image=”8222″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]
Program Format
The program spans 9 months, from mid-April through mid-December. Fellows are paired with one of the mentors above, each of whom has deep experience engaging with China. The substance of the program focuses on further developing core career capacities, including communication skills, networking, goal setting, and navigating career pathways, and then working together to actively promote career advancement. It combines twice-monthly individual sessions with a mentor with monthly cohort events. The program culminates with an in-person trip for the cohort to Washington DC or another relevant location where they will be joined by the previous years’ alumni.
Qualifications
Applicants should be African-Americans who have:
- demonstrated a commitment to elevating a China-focused career
- studied and/or worked abroad in Mainland China and/or Taiwan
- a minimum of five years’ relevant work experience
- a strong focus and drive to achieve his/her career goals
- Mandarin Chinese language skills
Application Instructions
We are looking for people with outstanding potential who are ready to become the next generation of leaders and mentors in the China space. All applicants should first register as members of AMS, then prepare a résumé, the names and email addresses of two references, and the answers to the following questions.
- Why are you interested in this program? What do you hope to accomplish? Where are you now, and where do you hope to go in the next five years? (500 words max)
- Why China? Describe your experience with and interest in China, and how China relates to your goals. (250 words max)
Please submit your applications by following this link. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, so we encourage early application. Feel free to contact us with any questions at ChinaLeadershipFellows@gmail.com
Support Us
We are seeking individual and corporate sponsors to help support this critically important program. To learn more, please contact nat@mandarinsociety.us.
Program Team
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Dewardric McNeal
Managing Director, Longview Global LLC[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/5″][vc_single_image image=”7140″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]
Nathaniel Ahrens
Executive Director, American Mandarin Society
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Christina Shih
Program Manager – Leadership Development, Workday, AACLF Program Lead, American Mandarin Society
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We are extremely grateful for our program sponsors, without whom this program would not be possible, and whose
program support demonstrates their strong, active commitment to increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
