Courage, Community, Creativity is the fourth volume of the We Will Lead Africa (WWLA) series. It is a WWLA Griot volume, curated out of the experience and writings of the second WWLA Griot Masterclass cohort.

This cohort recognized that everyday African leadership requires the courage to lead with curiosity and compassion, the empowerment and support of a community, and the creativity to blend the wisdom of our ancestry with a vision for the future. In the community of everyday WWLA leaders, the masterclass introduced Griots, from countries across the African continent and the diaspora, to the WWLA method for telling and documenting personal leadership stories, which centers everyday leadership.

The result is a volume of 23 stories and a closing pledge, from 12 masterclass participants along with their 12 oríkìs (Yoruba-inspired personal praise poetry) and 12 submitted stories. This rendition boasts a foreword by the incredible curator and proofreader who also served as an editor for this volume, Michelle Mocumbi.

Michelle’s art also graces the cover of the volume, as another symbolic act of courage to put our leadership gifts, in all its forms, out into the world. Contributors are:We Will Lead Africa Griots 2023Mamedjarra Bousso DiopEnobong EtukMaryam Oluwakemi Funmilayo*Chinelo Iwegim*Boingotlo Kemmonye KeutlwetseFilomena Mairosse*Iva Carla Pedro MonteiroSharon Munyaka*Gregory Mwangi NgahuPrudence NkomoMujidah Ajibola OladejoAyori SelassieAdditional ContributorsLélio Josimar de Aristides AdrianoAbidemi FasanmiMary GergesSyllona KanuHelena MusanduKondwani MwaseAnne PrattReginah SanyuRené SparksBanesa Molauoa Tseki & Anesu MbizvoRichard VedelagoAminata Wurie*Served as griot peer editors for the masterclass submitters.

. .