From MTV to the historic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Dr Yewande Austin’s socially charged music has taken centre stage with musical icons from the Black Eyed Peas to Maroon 5, but it is her work as an award-winning lecturer, social activist and honorary U. S. Cultural Ambassador that has become her greatest achievement.

Recognized as a leader in innovative strategic leadership, diversity and inclusion, social impact and international development, her work has reached over 250,000 people in 22 countries including 15 across the continent of Africa. Dr Austin was recently crowned as a Chief of the Obosi Kingdom in Anambra, Nigeria for her dedication to the African diaspora.

Conferred with an Honorary Doctorate in Humanitarianism from Stanford University (United Kingdom) for her international development work, she is also recognized as a 2019 American Heart Association “Go Red for Women” Ambassador, 2017 President Barack Obama Lifetime Achievement Award honoree and 2016 Virginia Commonwealth University Globe Faculty Fellow.

She is currently developing Alheri Village – a sustainable community for Boko Haram conflict survivors in Abuja, Nigeria. The first rehabilitation model of its kind, this innovative village will provide residents with housing, job training, healthcare and critical social services that will protect them from violence, sexual assault and human trafficking. It is this extraordinary mission that is inspiring a legion of everyday heroes to change the world.

For more information: www.globalinstituteforchange.com and www.changeinternational.com