African-American China Leadership Fellows Program

We are excited to announce the launch of a unique mentorship program for African-American professionals in the China space.

The African-American China Leadership Fellows Program (AACLF) is dedicated to the professional development of African-American China specialists. Through the guidance of experienced mentors, participants will expand their professional network and hone skills to advance their careers.   

Program Mission

The first program of its kind, the African-American China Leadership Fellowship strives to curb the underrepresentation of African-Americans in all facets of U.S.-China relations. We believe that supporting up-and-coming African-American professionals is key to enhancing the China space, improving U.S. national security and competitiveness, and better reflecting the diversity of the United States. 

Program Overview

This 8-month (April-November) mentoring program targets young African-American professionals who have demonstrated a strong interest in China either through formal study or time in country. This program will be remote and part-time. We will pair program participants with successful African-American mentors with deep experience engaging with China in relevant industries. The curriculum will focus on a core set of career skills, including communications skills, networking, goal setting, and navigating career pathways. The program currently offers five fellowships:

  • Albright Stonebridge Fellow in International Government Affairs
  • Rhodium Fellow in International Trade & Economics
  • Fellow in International Media & Journalism
  • Fellow in Advanced Academics
  • Fellow in Global Public Affairs

 

Mentors

We are proud to introduce the following mentors for the 2021 program year: 

Robert Anderson
Attorney-Advisor, Office of General Counsel, International Affairs, U.S Treasury

Keisha A. Brown, PhD 
Assistant Professor of History at Tennessee State University

Ann-Marie Padgett
International Advocacy Manager at Caterpillar Inc.

Keith Richburg
Director of the Journalism and Media Studies Centre at the University of Hong Kong

President & Global Public Affairs Director, Dw Parnassus. Former U.S. Diplomat.

Qualifications

Applicants should be African-Americans who have:

  • demonstrated commitment to developing a China-focused career
  • a minimum of two years’ work experience (internships and volunteer work will be considered)
  • studied and/or worked abroad in Greater China
  • a strong focus and drive to achieve his/her career goals
  • an interest in one of the fellowship areas
  • Mandarin Chinese language skills 

 

How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in the African American China Leadership Fellows! We are looking for people with outstanding potential who are ready to become the next generation of leaders and mentors in the China space.

Applications closed on March 31, 2021. Only some applicants will be selected for an interview. Our team is working on responding to all applicants as soon as possible. 

 

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

Dewardrick McNeal
Managing Director, Longview Global LLC

Mark Akpaninyie 
Co-Founder and Co-President, Black China Caucus. Co-Director, Young China Watchers.

Christina Pinckney
Program Specialist, UC Berkeley Extension. Research Assistant, American Mandarin Society

Isaac Stone Fish
CEO and Founder, Strategy Risks

This program is made possible by support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, Albright Stonebridge Group, and Rhodium Group.
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