A primary identity we hold for the We Will Lead Africa (WWLA) movement is to be Griots—capturing and preserving our leadership stories to inspire continued action toward building a more prosperous Africa.
Our collection of book volumes showcases everyday leaders modelling effective leadership in and for Africa, and includes the following titles:
Volume One. Features 30 submissions in response to the African Town Crier’s call, Who will lead Africa?, that exemplify everyday African leaders who are defying the narrative of impossible and working for the prosperity of Africa.
Volume Two: Women. Contains 32 submissions by 36 women leaders who provide insight and inspiration about what is possible when the contributions of women are celebrated, valued, and amplified.
Volume Three: Belonging, Beloving, Becoming. Comprises 24 contributions and 11 orÃkìs (Yoruba-inspired personal praise poetry), curated from the experience and writings of the inaugural WWLA Griot Masterclass series. This process was one of coming together to strengthen the connection between us and the sense of ‘coming home’ that is derived from proudly affirming who we are as African people.
Volume Four: Courage, Community, Creativity. Presents 23 stories and a closing pledge, this time resulting from the second Griot Masterclass series. These stories demonstrate how far everyday African leadership can go when one has the courage to lead with curiosity and compassion; the empowerment and support of a community; and the creativity to blend the wisdom of our ancestry with a vision for the future.
Volume Five: Technology, Science, Innovation. Includes 27 stories and 3 thought pieces by everyday Africans who are hatching extraordinary solutions in the tech, science, and innovation spaces.
Volume Six: A Sports Volume. Chronicles 40 stories from athletes, executives, entrepreneurs, journalists, and advocates who are redefining what it means to lead in African sports. Each story offers a window into the lives of trailblazers using sports to drive social impact, create careers, and elevate youth across the continent.
Volume Seven: Refugees, Peacebuilding, Security. Compiles the stories of 25 refugee leaders and/or leaders working with African refugees on the continent or in the diaspora, one fiction contribution, three analytical essays by the editorial team and artwork by a refugee artist. It also includes the REFUGE-E Manifesto, a practical framework—for refugees, by leaders—for upholding the universal human rights of all forced migrants and advancing peace and human dignity.