If They Rise, We Rise! Empowering the Next Generation of Grassroot Soccer Leaders

The Global Health Corps (GHC) is a leadership development organization dedicated to promoting health equity through mobilization of young leaders in Southern Africa, East Africa, and the United States. In 2024, GHC introduced the Africa Leadership Accelerator (ALA), a fellowship designed to strengthen the leadership and management skills of mid-career health professionals across sub-Saharan Africa. Grassroot Soccer (GRS) Research Coordinator Chikwanka Mubanga was selected to the inaugural cohort of ALA fellows, together with 29 other rising public health leaders from Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda, and Uganda.

With the support of the fellowship, Chikwanka developed a new GRS program for young leaders within the organization – “The Early Riser” – to support their professional growth and development. 

At the core of Grassroot Soccer (GRS) are young people who lead the organization’s work – directly with young people in the communities, and also in key functional roles (like Research, Monitoring & Evaluation, Communications, and Programs). GRS thrives in ensuring our programs are responsive to the needs of young people by having so many young staff from the very communities we work in – many of whom rise from being beneficiaries of GRS programs, to SKILLZ Coaches, to full-time intern and staff roles at the global organization and South Africa and Zambia affiliates. 

Because of the important role young leaders play at GRS, it’s critical that the organization best support young people as they step out from the field and into the professional world. In response to this need, and with the support of the Global Health Corps (GHC) Africa Leadership Accelerator, I developed a program dubbed “The Early Riser” with the aim of empowering young professionals at GRS to excel in their careers and make meaningful contributions in line with the organization’s mission. The first cohort of Early Risers, which ran from January to June 2025, included 10 Interns, 4 Master Coaches, and 18 Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) members from Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Mozambique, Malawi, Kenya, and Nigeria.

The inaugural program consisted of six interactive, 90-minute monthly sessions that created a safe and structured space for growth while tackling important topics for early career development. Sessions focused on topics like navigating the transition from being a SKILLZ Coach or student to the professional world; understanding the effect that work, people, and culture can have on job performance; what leadership looks like at the junior level; and how to grow as early-career professionals by setting SMART goals. 

The sessions also touched on key professional skills such as problem solving, public speaking, and effective communications. During the program, junior staff had an opportunity to put these skills to work through presentations on topics like youth mental health and meaningful youth engagement, which are also vital for early career development. The program closed with an insightful panel discussion where two mid-level GRS staff – Josephine Mbewe and Taonga Kennedy-Tembo – shared their stories from their 10-year journeys at GRS, from the field as a participant and Coach, respectively, to their current roles as Coordinators/Trainers. 

In addition to the monthly group sessions, I also held one-on-one conversations with the Early Risers to provide personalized support based on their early career experiences, applying lessons I learned through both my own experience within GRS and what I was learning through the fellowship. 

And of course, being a research enthusiast myself, I administered surveys to the program participants at three intervals: at baseline to determine the current professional needs of the junior staff, at mid-line to refine the content and program delivery, and at endline. Through the endline survey, the junior staff were able to provide valuable insights on how the program can be adapted and sustained, while sharing their experiences in the program. 

It was heartening to learn that this type of support is essential – both to GRS’s work, and in helping develop the next generation of health leaders in whatever professional path they follow. Here’s what some of The Early Risers reflected:

“The program boosted my confidence, improved my communication skills, and made me more intentional about my goals.”

“This program is more than just rising early; it’s about creating a mindset for success. I believe it can spark real change among youth and staff alike.”

“The program gave me a chance to learn from my peers and it has helped me understand things differently. I liked the topic of public speaking because I’ve learned different skills on how to approach it if I get nervous.”

“I have struggled with public speaking, and through this mentorship, I have enhanced my public speaking skills. I can stand in front of people without any fear.’”

The Early Riser program provides an opportunity for rising leaders at GRS to take charge of their development through collective learning with peers – across borders – who are working towards a shared mission. Yet again, it is a reminder that growth is a gradual process that requires walking junior staff through this journey with optimism and patience – because if they rise, we rise too as an organization!