For the last five years The Local Take has brought fellows in the Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) to speak with us about the program and their countries. Saturday morning at 8am on WCLK I spoke with three fellows from the Clark Atlanta University program: Jean Jacques Abe of Ivory Coast, Diana Dwanah of Liberia and Linda Alwedo of Uganda.
Jean Jacques Abe launched a tech start-up for healthcare called AfrikaDoc.com. This platform allows citizens to find doctors and secure appointments. Jean Jacques explains that a challenge exist around finding healthcare providers and continuing communication around scheduling of appointments. With his solution this can all be done within the AfrikaDoc app. He also shares information about his country, Ivory Coast. They have beautiful beaches, and 40% of cocoa produced worldwide comes from his country. He also boasted about the country's internet infastructure.
Diana Dwanah always loved fashion and African textiles, but her parents insisted she attend university and obtain a degree. During the Ebola crisis when people were forced to stay home and not socialize she began designing jewelry with fabric. Friends loved her designs that incorporated fabric into earrings, bowties and even necklaces. When the health crisis past she continued designing jewelry and people would often order or buy the pieces she wore. That's when she launched Dia-Afrik Designs, a style and decor business with grand plans for the future. She also shares information about Liberia and their former president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
Linda Alwedo from Uganda spoke to us about her fashion company, Highline Fashions. She speaks about always sewing and loving fashions. When she began making her own clothes, friends didn't believe that she was wearing clothes she had sewn. Then they began requesting the clothes off her back. Her designs consist of clean lines that compliment curves. Her fashions go from casual to corporate and includes evening and beachwear.
For more information on AfrikaDoc.com.
For more information on Dia-Afrik Designs.
For more information on Highline Fashions.
The Young African Leadership Initiative began under the Obama Administration. This competitive program brings young leaders from across the continent together to learn, network and grow. For more information on the YALI program.