Leadership Fellows Program 2024

To address the underrepresentation of African Americans in U.S.-China relations, the African-American China Leadership Fellows Program (AACLF) is committed to the development of mid-career African-American professionals in China. We truly feel that to improve the U.S. national security and competitiveness, expand the China space, and more accurately represent the diversity of the country, emerging African-American professionals must receive support.

In its now fourth year, the program chooses a cohort of exceptional mid-career professionals and works with them to enhance their career skills, broaden their understanding of policies, and build professional networks under the direction of knowledgeable African-American mentors and the program team. Assisting them in navigating a route to senior leadership roles in their companies and sectors is the ultimate objective.

Program Format:

The nine-month curriculum runs from mid-April to mid-December. The mentors listed above, all of whom have extensive experience interacting with China, are matched with fellows. The program’s fundamental competencies—such as goal-setting, networking, communication, and career navigation—are further developed, and participants collaborate to actively support career progress. It mixes monthly cohort events with twice-weekly one-on-one mentor sessions. The program’s high point is an in-person trip to Washington, DC, or a comparable place for the cohort when they will be joined by alumni from prior years.

Aim and Benefits of African-American China Leadership Fellows Program:

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.

Requirements for African-American China Leadership Fellows Program Qualification:

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 strong focus and drive to achieve his/her career goals Mandarin Chinese language skills

Application Deadline:

Not Specified

How to Apply:

Interested and qualified? Go to American the Mandarin Society on docs.google.com to apply

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.

1. 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)
2. 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.

For more details, visit Amerthe ican Mandarin Society website.