Atlas Corps is proud of the incredible work our Host Organizations are doing and of the substantial impact Atlas Corps Fellows have on their teams. Meet one of our outstanding Host Organizations, CorpsAfrica, and their Fellow Boubacar (Class 47, Senegal)! CorpsAfrica is a nonprofit organization that maximizes the value of open and shared data for the public good by working with government agencies, businesses, nonprofits, and researchers who are both data providers and data users.
At Atlas Corps, we have a tradition of introducing ourselves to new people. What are your fast facts?
Name: Ryan Dale
Hometown: Manassas, Virginia
Role at Organization: Chief Operating Officer
Social Issue/Interest Area: Youth Development and Mental Health
We learn from watching and working with others, and others learn from watching and working with us. It’s important to inspire future social change leaders to multiply our impact.
CorpsAfrica hosted its first Atlas Corps Fellow, Emmanuel (Emmy) Dukundane in 2016, and has since hosted two more including Patrick Rumanyika and Boubacar Diallo.
There are many similarities between Atlas Corps and CorpsAfrica, including the focus on the personal and professional development of young professionals. After serving in a rural community in their home country for a year, CorpsAfrica Volunteers are adept at community-building, listening deeply, and working together to identify solutions to pressing problems. They are equipped with skills that transfer easily to most professions and accentuate their existing technical skill sets. Atlas Corps provides an opportunity for CorpsAfrica alumni to continue their professional journey by further developing their soft skills and technical capabilities while building their professional network and range of experiences.
We also recognize the deep talent pool that Atlas Corps attracts and the mentoring and support provided to Fellows while in D.C. is exceptional.
Boubacar’s contributions to CorpsAfrica will be felt for years to come. Shortly after onboarding into this position, we launched the first cohort of the CorpsAfrica Entrepreneurship Incubator. Over the course of three months, eight alumni-led ventures participated in weekly sessions covering a full range of topics to prepare them to run their own job-creating business. In the end, all eight ventures qualified for $5,000 USD grants to support their operations. Boubacar managed the program from start to finish and top to bottom – identifying contractors, supporting each business, coordinating sessions, and mentoring participants. He also learned lessons that helped to reshape the approach for the upcoming second cohort. Along with launching the Entrepreneurship Incubator, Boubacar also formalized the Matching Scholarship Program, which will disburse its first funds this month, and, most importantly, he centralized support for alumni across all programs, establishing his position as a go-to resource for alumni.
Boubacar has been a joy to work with in our D.C. office. He was a CorpsAfrica Volunteer in the first group in Senegal, so he brings a lot of knowledge and a unique perspective to our Global Support Office. Our French classes have not taken off, yet, but we still have a few months. His love for Youssou N’dour has also translated to new preferred musical genres. It has also provided some of us to also expose him to our culture via pastrami bagels and fish sandwiches.
Atlas Corps Fellows are some of the brightest young people out there and they will have a remarkable impact on your organization. The support provided by Atlas Corps to Fellows is an unparalleled opportunity for professional development and a tremendous opportunity for employers.
Fellow: Boubacar Diallo (Class 47, Senegal)
At Atlas Corps, we have a tradition of stating our “Five Facts” when introducing ourselves to new people. What are your facts?
Name: Boubacar Biro Diallo
Hometown: Ziguinchor, Senegal
Role at Organization: Alumni Association Coordinator
Social Issue/Interest Area: Program Management, Leadership and Entrepreneurship
Fun fact: I speak six languages (Fulani, Wolof, French, English, Madinka, Malagasy)
As a leader, what inspires me is the humility of listening, receiving feedback, and learning new things every day. For me, the leader must have situational intelligence and emotional intelligence. These qualities enable them to be a guide, a catalyst, and an inspirational person. The leader must cultivate team spirit, recognize the strengths and weaknesses of his teammates and be a team player. They motivate every team member to achieve their goals and celebrate their successes. Inspirational leaders often see the greatness in others, even if they don’t fully see it themselves. By focusing on their key qualities and helping them develop their strengths, they can help them achieve monumental goals and extraordinary feats.
My role as CorpsAfrica Alumni Association Coordinator focuses on building a system to support former CorpsAfrica Volunteers in their personal and professional lives. As CorpsAfrica expands with new programs in Africa, we are focused on keeping former Volunteers in all countries engaged with CorpsAfrica and each other to help them succeed in their chosen careers. I’m developing a solid communication framework for CorpsAfrica alumni, creating opportunities to stay involved with CorpsAfrica, and providing professional support services to alumni, including scholarships and grants to start or develop their ventures. In my capacity, I lead the Entrepreneurship Incubator, Matching Scholarship, and the organization-wide communications for alumni. In October 2023, we will officially have alumni in six countries: Morocco, Senegal, Malawi, Rwanda, Kenya, and Ghana.
This position has enabled me to work with several cultures and countries and to develop my network in other countries. During the Fellowship, the immersion sessions with Atlas Corps allowed me to improve my leadership skills and connect with additional expert resources and tools. I discovered and appreciated American culture and learned more about the history and civilization of the United States. I met many inspiring people and attended several professional development events in person and virtually. At the end of my Fellowship, I would be able to manage development programs for non- profit organizations or international organizations and I am also able to start and manage a business.
This program will undoubtedly have a positive impact on my professional career. I improved my communication in English and my leadership skills. I learned a lot. I shared my experience with more young people, and, above all, I developed managerial skills to better manage teams and businesses in the future.
Back home, I’m already Co-Founder of the Jaam & Salaam Foundation. Inspired by my journeys and experiences, I co-founded this foundation to make a lasting impact in both my country and in Africa. The name “Jaam & Salaam” embodies the organization’s core values, “Jaam” meaning “peace” and “Salaam” representing “greetings” in Arabic. The name perfectly reflects the foundation’s mission to spread peace and inclusion. The Jaam ak Salaam Foundation is dedicated to community health, Inclusivity education, and empowering women and girls. It values the preservation of traditional African knowledge, ensuring the transmission of wisdom from elders to the younger generation. By addressing critical issues like health, education, and women’s empowerment, while fostering a social economy based on solidarity, Jaam & Salaam Foundation is helping build a brighter, more inclusive future for all.
We thank Atlas Corps Volunteers, Board Members, and Donors for the time and support you devote to developing our young people. Your contribution positively impacts lives and helps create hundreds of leaders worldwide who will go on to create the future.