Expand Black South African Leadership & Enterprise

Dear Friends and Supporters,

We hope all is well with you. It has been a difficult start to 2021 for our team, as we have faced deaths in our family, illness, and other life challenges exacerbated by a prolonged pandemic. Still, thankfully, we are all here, relatively healthy, and committed to our work with The Emerge Project.

As the pandemic continues to disrupt life, we are collaborating with partners in South Africa and the US to create alternative approaches to our work. We are looking at the question of how to continue to uplift and share the stories of Black changemakers at the community level, with the current resources we have. We had our first meeting via Zoom in April, and will continue to meet regularly to generate and implement ideas. We are excited to see what creative and innovative ideas emerge from putting our heads together!

Our TEP leaders (those who have been featured in our videos) are also finding ways to rise above COVID-19 challenges. The tourism industry in South Africa has been severely impacted by the pandemic, and Paul Maluleke, one of our leaders, and his partners have felt it keenly. But as the country begins to take steps to repair this lucrative industry, Paul and his partners have been working hard to ensure that their programs, which center and benefit communities in townships and underserved areas, are not forgotten. You can check out Paul’s video here to get a glimpse into the work he does in Alexandra Township in Johannesburg.

We thank you for your continued support of The Emerge Project. While it has been a challenging period, we are buoyed by the knowledge that you are rooting for us.

Until next time, with gratitude,

The Emerge Project team

Links:

• Paul Maluleke in Alexandra Township