Vision
A world where African leaders advance a more prosperous, interconnected future.
About
A small group of friends refused to let one student go home.
The African Leadership Bridge began as a rescue and became a nonprofit. The model has always been the same: pay it forward, stay close, and send leaders back to the continent.
Founding story
Our roots at UT Austin
In 2007, UT alum Rick Reeder met Kenyan student John Kidenda through the Texas Exes job-shadowing program. When a family illness put John’s degree at risk, Rick and a small group of friends raised the fees so he could finish.
That same year they formed The African Leadership Bridge as a nonprofit. The two envisioned a framework that would offer financial and community support to African students in similar situations.
That pay-it-forward model still holds. Alumni invest back into the mission by giving, mentoring, and joining the board. Several board members are African former UT students, and alumni remain connected to the foundation as mentors and advisors across multiple sectors.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
How we work
Vision and mission.
Mission
In partnership with the University of Texas at Austin, we shape exceptional African leaders through world class education, mentorship, and deep community engagement.
What we do
Educating African leaders. Strengthening communities in Texas and beyond.
People
Board
The board that stewards the scholarship and the community around it.
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Founder
Rick Reeder
Chief Revenue Officer, Exfresso
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Board Chair
Natasha Campbell-Cross
Marketing Consultant, Cross Consulting
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Board Member and First Student
John Kidenda
Research Lead, US East, Aurora Energy Research
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Board Member
Arinzechukwu Nwagbata
Orthopaedic Surgery Resident, Stanford Healthcare
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Board Member
Rudi Ngnepi
Chief Business Manager, NI (National Instruments)
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Board Member
Suresh Sundarababu
Executive Director, SWAN Impact Network
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Board Member
Kate Scurria
Account Manager, Donor Recruitment at American Red Cross
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”