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The Basketball Africa League (BAL)\u00a0(https:\/\/BAL.NBA.com<\/a>) and Speak Up Africa, an African-led, Senegal-based organization working with leaders and changemakers in Africa and beyond to solve Africa\u2019s pressing sustainable development challenges, today announced the launch of the second edition of their mentorship program, \u201cTeaming Up: African LeadHERs meet BAL4HER,\u201d which this year will pair 10 young African female athletes and aspiring sports industry leaders with female executives in the sports industry.\u00a0The program is part of the BAL and Speak Up Africa\u2019s efforts to advance gender equity and public health, propel women\u2019s leadership, and prepare the next generation for careers in sports business across the continent.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The second edition of the program, which will run from Friday, Nov. 1, 2024 \u2013 Sunday, June 1, 2025, will once again pair each mentee with an industry executive and experienced mentor who will guide them through a personalized development journey.\u00a0Through monthly workshops, targeted goal-setting, and immersive learning experiences, the mentees will gain essential skills and knowledge to thrive in Africa\u2019s sports industry and become advocates for critical health issues affecting women and girls.\u00a0 Applications\u00a0(https:\/\/apo-opa.co\/3ZzrFNG<\/a>) are open now and will close on Monday, Oct. 7.\u00a0\u00a0The mentors for this year\u2019s program include:<\/p>\n \u201c\u2018Teaming Up: African LeadHERs meet BAL4HER\u2019 reflects the BAL\u2019s commitment to supporting the development of young African women who will shape the future of the sports industry on the continent,\u201d said BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall.\u00a0\u201cAs we continue our efforts to advance gender equity, we look forward to once again collaborating with Speak Up Africa to pave the way for a more inclusive, dynamic, and health-conscious basketball community.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u201cBasketball is more than a game.\u00a0It is a powerful catalyst for social change,\u201d said Speak Up Africa Founder, Yacine Diop.\u00a0\u201cThrough \u2018Teaming Up: African LeadHERs meet BAL4HER,\u2019 we\u2019re igniting a movement that intertwines sports, gender equality and health.\u00a0These young women leaders will break barriers on the court and in boardrooms, champion critical health issues, and inspire millions across Africa.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Similar to last year\u2019s program, mentees will have the opportunity to visit their mentors in their home countries, allowing them to engage with leading professionals in their workplace.\u00a0This hands-on experience will allow mentees to forge meaningful connections, broaden their networks, and gain practical knowledge directly from industry leaders.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n As part of the launch, BAL and Speak Up Africa hosted an event at the NBA headquarters in New York City that brought together sports industry leaders and stakeholders to discuss and address areas impacting women in African basketball.\u00a0The event featured the Speak Up Africa LINGEER exhibition, a photo exhibition designed to drive greater inclusion in basketball by highlighting the impact of women across a range of roles and functions.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Launched in 2023 as part of Speak Up Africa\u2019s African LeadHERs movement and the BAL\u2019s \u201cBAL4HER\u201d initiative, last year\u2019s program matched six young women from Egypt, Rwanda and Senegal with sports industry executives Amber Nichols (General Manager, Capital City Go-Go), Chin, Feaster, Ebony Hoffman (assistant coach, Seattle Storm), Taylor Kielpinski-Rogers (Vice President of Communications, Boston Celtics) and Kornelia Semmelink (NBA Africa Senior Director, Media Partnerships).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n