Behind the Successful AWEC Virtual Leadership Summit
During the week of 21st September 2020, we successfully hosted AWEC's first-ever Virtual Leadership Summit, bringing together 200 Fellows, 40 Mentors, 8 renowned speakers, and dozens of special guests to collaboratively learn, problem solve, and engage with experts. Every year, AWEC has organised a Leadership Summit for our core program Fellows. However, due to COVID-19, we knew this year had to be different, while still providing a memorable and high-energy experience.
Compelling Content
Among the highlights were expert-taught Masterclasses on digital marketing, customer insights, and pricing strategy, including Seanice Lojede, founder and CEO of Blu Flamingo; Dr. Gordon Adomdza, Associate Professor at Ashesi University, and Victorine Sarr, founder and CEO of Lyvv Cosmetics.
The Summit also featured “Ask Me Anything” sessions with Dr. Frannie Léautier, Senior Partner SouthBridge Group; and Sam Palmisano, Chairman The CGE; and Keynote Speeches from Ibukun Awosika, Chairman First Bank of Nigeria Limited and Monica Musonda, Founder and CEO Java Food Limited. Additionally, AWEC mentors volunteered their time and expertise to lead small group workshops that dived into specific business challenges and functional areas. Fellows were able to interact directly and have short conversations with the speakers through live Q&A.
Recreating the Roommate Experience
An unexpectedly popular feature of the event was virtually pairing up Fellows to mimic the serendipitous experience of being assigned a roommate at one of our in-person Summits. This ‘Zoomies’ experience allowed participants to ‘go to the Summit together’, giving them the opportunity to get to know other peers on a deeper level and exchange insights and experiences from the Summit with the hope that they would forge a relationship that goes beyond the event.
Walking the Virtual Red Carpet
Cohort 3 Fellows also influenced AWEC’s first Participants’ Choice Awards, which recognized their peers’ hard work and achievements over the last 6 months. With nine awards to hand out, the Fellows all came up with the categories, and nominated the winners.
UTC Award - Most likely to arrive early to a Live or Peer Session: Uloma Obichere who runs an e-commerce business in Nigeria.
Helping Hand Award - Most likely to take the time out of her own day to help out her peers: Amina Boukhelouf who runs a recycling business in Algeria.
Encyclopedia Award - Most resourceful, sharing insightful wisdom with the group: Kunbi Osinoiki who runs an education business in Nigeria.
Cheerleader Award - Always cheering on and encouraging her peers: Wami Egunjobi who runs a nonprofit/NGO in Nigeria.
WhatsApp Wizard Award - Most likely to reply in the group chat: Kutlo Molefe who runs a biotechnology business in Botswana.
Madam President Award - A natural leader and most likely to become president of her country: Seodi White who runs a hospitality business in Malawi.
Innovative Entrepreneur Award - Made the most innovative business change as a result of their AWEC experience: Mansata Drammeh who runs an agricultural business in The Gambia.
Lady Sunshine Award - Always positive and uplifting: Julie Oduor who runs a food products business in Kenya.
Social Butterfly Award - Made connections throughout the Cohort: Uchenne Ibe who runs a multiline retail business in Nigeria.
To end the ceremony the Fellows were treated to a Virtual Dance Party Video, a moving tribute featuring a compilation of clips’ with Fellows from all over Africa dancing to the South African hit tune ‘Jerusalema’ by Master KG, which has taken the world by storm.
We all look forward to the day when we can gather face-to-face and until then, were thrilled to see AWEC Fellows bring their energy, passion, and excitement to Zoom. Perhaps one Fellow said it best: "I never imagined an online summit could be this exciting!"