During these turbulent times, many Black Americans are looking around and fantasizing about the possibilities of re-locating from the U.S. for good, or at least for a while. But where to go? Where can our money afford us a decent life away from here?
Africa still looms as one consideration for many. Others think more of the Caribbean spaces (although the fear of frequent hurricanes runs deep).
One consistent thought no matter where one contemplates, is what could we bring to the table that would be a positive contribution wherever we go? Sure, we understand we would need to bring money, and that may help whatever economy we interact with, but what else? Do we have some skills that can help upgrade whatever new place we decide to step into? Can we go somewhere where we can be seen as someone who brings value and significance into our new environment? Of course we do and of course we can.
That’s what Oprah Winfrey did in South Africa. After trying her hand on some major projects in Chicago, Ms. Winfrey had a serious talk with then-President Nelson Mandela in South Africa and they agreed on an educational project in Africa, a new South African Finishing School for Girls.
As of the latest statistics since its 2007 opening, the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG) in South Africa has graduated over 528 students. Its female students have a 100 percent pass rate on the national graduation exams, something any academic institution would be proud of, and a 100 percent bachelor’s degree pass rate (that is, those accepted into a b.a. or b.s. program after graduation). Virtually all OWLAG graduates have gone on to attend college after graduation, including attending top universities in both the US and South Africa. Two of her graduates are newly minted Ph.Ds. The Winfrey example is extraordinary, of course, and its success was neither cheap nor without major trauma. But it is a living example of what we can do in cross-cultural settings, and it is an example of bringing our best to the table to help us all grow.
Here, all our eggs are virtually in one basket, and a wrecking ball is loose on the goose. Time to broaden our horizons. Time to prepare other pathways forward. We can no longer take this American life for granted. After all, they’ve always only wanted us for our labor skills.
Professor David L. Horne is founder and executive director of PAPPEI, the Pan African Public Policy and Ethical Institute, which is a new 501(c)(3) pending community-based organization or non-governmental organization (NGO). It is the stepparent organization for the California Black Think Tank which still operates and which meets every fourth Friday.