The Town of Clarkdale served as a host community for Arizona State University’s 2014 YALI Fellows on Friday, July 11th.  The Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) that empowers young people through academic coursework, leadership training, and networking.  Fellowships provide outstanding young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa with the opportunity to hone their skills at a U.S. university, and with support for professional development after they return home.

500 YALI Fellows were selected from 50,000 applicants in 2014 from among Sub-Saharan Africa’s most promising young leaders ages 25-35, and 25 of the Fellows are participating in ASU’s 6-week program.  The Fellows have established records of accomplishment in promoting innovation and positive change in their organizations, institutions, communities and countries.  All Sub-Saharan countries are represented in the 2014 cohort of Washington Fellows.

The Town of Clarkdale was asked to participate in the program to highlight the Sustainable Clarkdale Initiative.  Community/Economic Development Director Jodie Filardo spoke to the Fellows about numerous Clarkdale projects, including:  the award-winning Geo-Thermal Energy project in the Clark Memorial Clubhouse; the 2012 Centennial Plaza that demonstrates use of native vegetation and rainwater collection; the Verde River @ Clarkdale project; and the Town’s Water Resource Management Program.

Participants spent the morning in discussion in the Clark Memorial Clubhouse followed by lunch and a tour of downtown Clarkdale.  They then travelled by bus to the Tuzigoot River Access Point and the Lower TAPCO River Access Point, where they had the opportunity to kayak on the Verde River.

For more information, please contact Jodie Filardo, Community Development Director at (928) 639-2542 or Jodie.Filardo@clarkdale.az.gov.