Journey to Ghana

In President Obama’s first novel “Dream’s From My Father” he discussed the importance of reconnecting with one’s roots as he visited relatives in Kenya to better understand his own heritage. Have you ever had the insatiable desire to reconnect with your heritage to develop a greater understanding of who you are?

My name is Jerron Hawkins a graduating Senior, Political Science major with a minor in Economics from Howard University, and an Obama White House Mentee. For the first time in my life, I have been granted the opportunity to journey to the African continent. Through a 12 day cultural immersion and service-based trip in Ghana from May 14th - May 25th, I'll have the opportunity to visit some of the most historic sites in the history of humanity while continuing my committment to Howard's core pillar of service.

The Young AfricanA Leadership Initiative (YAALI) at Howard University aligns with President Obama’s YALI initiative committed to investing in development partnerships in Africa. Our mission is to allow young Africana (African American, Caribbean, and Latin American) student leaders to obtain the skills, research and service learning experiences they need to thrive as global citizens. YAALI continues Howard University’s mission to produce global citizens who use their talents to seek knowledge and serve the global community.

In order to take part in this experience, which will surely be awe-inspiring and transformative, I must fundraise $4,500 to cover the costs for my flight, room and board, and personal experiences. I've never allowed my personal financial status to deter me from pursuing experiences that are socially, academically, and spiritually enriching.

I'm asking you to recall a moment when you felt called to a cause greater than yourself or a cultural encounter that helped you connect with a portion of your own heritage. Any contributions, no matter the size, would help me get one step closer to having that same feeling of serving a higher purpose and a deeper connection to the African culture. Please know that this experience will be integral to my development as an enlightened global citizen, and I thank you in advance for your support of this journey.