Leadership Development Initiative

Tsudoi

The Leadership Development Initiative supports Scholars' during the Tsudoi student gatherings and U.S. Exploration Weekends.

Every year, Ashinaga USA holds a Tsudoi (friendly gathering, in Japanese) where scholars, staff, and guest speakers come together for a multi-day leadership camp. As our scholars attend colleges and universities all over the US, this is a rare opportunity for them to come together to engage in activities and discussions on topics such as leadership, mental health, professional development, and their future ambitions. We also encourage intergenerational conversation between Ashinaga Scholars and Alumni to discuss their experiences with the younger cohorts. To accommodate the different academic calendars and the geographic distance between our students and reduce cost without affecting impact, we now host Tsudoi virtually.

We have invited prestigious guest speakers from around the US as well as the continent such as: Founder and Executive Director of the African Diaspora Network Almaz Negash; World-renowned chef, author, and restaurateur Pierre Thiam from Senegal; Country director of the nonprofit Open Dreams in Cameroon, James Akaba; Entrepreneur and Builders of Africa’s Future (ADN) Victor Baofo from Ghana.

Exploration USA Weekend

Exploration USA Weekend complements our annual Tsudoi. Once a year, we organize a long weekend in a location within the U.S. during which Scholars can meet in person and engage in various bonding activities, as well as explore our National Parks or similar natural resources, or the history of American cities.

Our inaugural U.S. Exploration Weekend was a success, with 10 students attending and 2 Ashinaga USA Alumni acting as leaders. The Scholars gathered in Memphis, Tennessee to visit the Civil Rights Museum, have fun playing mini-golf, and made dinner together while watching the film “Hidden Figures” together. 

One Scholar reflected: “Reuniting with my Ashinaga USA family is always a nostalgic and happy experience. During this wonderfully planned exploration weekend, I had an opportunity to meet the new scholars for the first time despite covid delaying this encounter. No doubt, I will come back next year to experience this great social environment if another opportunity comes by.”