RipplesofHopeisbuilttop
natorRobertF Kennedy,Sr inSouthAfricain1966:tos t againstinjustice.Bycollabo e, andnonprofit–weworkto s
OurThreePillarsofPurpose
1. Investing in Civic Leaders
Webelievethatinvestingin leadersisessentialtocreate positivesocialchangeand progress.Wecultivateacadre ofpeoplewhoembodythe spiritofhumility,integrity,and responsibility–andarecalled tocourageousaction.By providingthemwiththe resources,mentorship,and opportunitiesnecessaryto developtheirskills,they becomecommunitybuilders andagentsofpositivechange
Theinvestmentintheir potentialisaninvestmentina brighter,moreconnected,and morejustfutureforall.
ProgramExample: TheRipples ofHopeInternational Fellowship
2. Building a Beloved Community
Weseektobuildabeloved communityinthespiritofthe visionofDr.MartinLutherKing, Jr.Aninclusivecommunity builtonsharedpurpose encouragescollaborationand unityandaddressessocial inequalitiesandinjustices.We centerourcommunitybuilding activitiesonsharing experiencesdedicatedtothe commongoodandengagingin respectfuldialoguethat promotesempathy, understandingandcommon cause
ProgramExample:Lekgotla Journeys
3.
Amplifying the Ripples of Hope Effect
Weseek toputtheripplesof hopeeffectthatSenatorRobert F.Kennedy,Sr.spokeof into practiceandtoamplify its impact.Theripplesof hope effectservesasapowerful reminderthatouractions- and interactions- cancreatewaves of impact,andinspireothersto takeaction.Whenoneperson createsa“ripple” itcaninspire otherstofollowsuit,leading to acascadeof similaractions withinoneself oracommunity Weprovideaplatform for dialogue,connectionand commitmentandexposeour diversecommunity toinspiring peopleandideas.
Program Example:Joyful Community Events& Fundraisers
LEKGOTLA
Noun • South Africa
a meeting or gathering of wise, thoughtful leaders with sharp minds and big hearts
DearFellowTravelers,Visionaries,andChangemakers,
WelcometotheLekgotlaJourney inNewOrleans!Wearehonoredandexcited toembark onthistransformativeexperiencewitheachof you.
Lekgotlaismorethanjustameeting.Itisasacredspaceforreflection, dialogue,andcollectivevisioning.Rootedinthetraditionsof wisdom and community,Lekgotlacallsustocometogetherwithopenmindsandopen hearts,tolistendeeply,shareboldly,andco-createafutureshapedby our sharedvaluesandaspirations.
NewOrleans,acity richwithhistory,resilience,andcultural vibrancy,provides theperfectbackdrop forthisjourney.Here,wewill notonly explorethesoul of thecity butalsostrengthenthebondsbetweenus,weaving togetherideas, experiences,andrelationshipsthatwill extendfarbeyondourtimehere.
Aswestep intothisspacetogether,letusembracethespiritof Lekgotla learning from oneanother,honoring ourdiverseperspectives,andnurturing thecollectivewisdom thatwill guideusforward.Inthewordsof Senator RobertF.Kennedy,Sr.:
"Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance."
May ourtimetogetherspark ripplesof change withinourselves,withinour communities,andintheworldbeyond Thank you forbeing partof this journey.Welook forwardtobuilding,growing,andcelebrating withyou.
Withdeep gratitudeandexcitement,
Kristen Atwood Founder & Board Chair
Jennie Eplett Reilly Founding Vice Chair
Cindy Laba Director
AboUTTHEJOURNEY
Lekgotla travelers will immerse themselves in New Orleans communities, with a special focus on the 9th Ward, to develop a deeper and more personal understanding of the challenges and triumphs that persist post-Hurricane Katrina.
Join with civic, corporate, academic, and religious leaders in compassionate conversations to build alliances and activate resources. Our hope is that participants will form new friendships through shared common purpose and experiences which will propel change and unite people from diverse backgrounds.
In partnership with the New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University, activities planned include book festival events Thursday evening, Friday, and Saturday.
Special Thanks
This journey would not have been possible without our amazing friends who guided us at every step: Cheryl & Mitch Landrieu and Kyle Wedberg. Their wisdom and unwavering support have illuminated our path, making this experience even more meaningful.
Date
SCHEDULE ataglance
Activities
Tuesday 3/25 Pre-Journey Dinner: 7pm at Gianna
Optional Art Day
9:00am – Home of Arthur Roger, Founder & Owner, Arthur Roger Gallery
10:30am – Demond Melancon Studio
Noon – Lunch at Alma Cafe
1:30pm – Nicole Charbonnet Studio
Wednesday 3/26
Thursday 3/27
2:45pm – Arthur Roger Gallery
Lekgotla Kick-Off
4:00pm – Departure from The Eliza Jane Hotel
4:30pm – The Roots of Music
7:00pm – Dinner at Ashé
Community Exploration
Before 8:15am – Breakfast
8:15am – Morning Circle
8:30am – Depart The Eliza Jane Hotel
9:00am – New Orleans African American Museum
10:30am – 9th Ward Tour with Robert Green
12:30pm – Lunch at Café Reconcile
2:30pm – Preservation Hall,French Quarter
4:30 pm – Arrive at Tulane University
5:00pm – New Orleans Book Festival Opening with Bryan Stevenson
7:30 pm – Dinner at Saba
Book Festival
Before 9:00am – Breakfast
Friday 3/28
Saturday 3/29
9:00am – Morning Circle
10am to 5pm – New Orleans Book Festival, Tulane University
7:30pm – Closing Celebration at 34 Restaurant & Bar
Book Festival – Optional
Before 9:00am – Breakfast
9:00am – Morning Circle
10am to 4pm – New Orleans Book Festival, Tulane University
4:30pm – New Orleans Book Festival Closing Celebration!
Optional, Pre-Journey
Art&Soul: ACreative JourneythroughNOLA
TuesdayWednesday
March26th
Today is an optional day of art exploration throughout New Orleans New Orleans is known for rich artistic culture, that combines visual art, local craftsmanship, and performing arts. Art is the soul of New Orleans.
We will begin our day at the home of Arthur Roger, and end our day at his gallery. A native of the city, Arthur worked at an art gallery in the French Quarter while attending college. In 1978 he opened the Arthur Roger Gallery which enjoyed early success and soon earned a national reputation as a leading art gallery in New Orleans. After Hurricane Katrina, Arthur helped spearhead the renewal of the visual arts in New Orleans Throughout the gallery’s 45-year history, Arthur has made an effort to feature the work of artists of diverse backgrounds, race, and sexual orientation.
Today’s Schedule
Optional Art Day 9am – 3pm
Home of Arthur Roger
Demond Melancon Studio
Lunch at Alma Cafe
Nicole Charbonnet Studio
Arthur Roger Gallery
We will join Bradley Sabin, Assistant Director of Arthur Roger Gallery, to visit the studio of Big Chief Demond Melancon, who works solely with a needle and thread to sew glass beads onto canvas. He began this practice in 1992 when he first became part of the Black Masking Culture of New Orleans, a culture whose roots are woven through more than two centuries of history.
After a delicious lunch at Alma Cafe, we will travel to the studio of artist Nicole Charbonnet, who appropriates Americana imagery, as well as compositions from noteworthy international artists, as a way of stimulating a sense of nostalgia, while also informing current social and political situations.
We may have time to drop in to a gallery or two on Julia and Magazine Streets as we make our way back from the Arthur Roger Gallery to The Eliza Jane Hotel for the official Lekgotla kick-off at 4pm.
LEkgotlaWelcome:An Eveningofcommunity
Our delegation connects and our first stop is a visit to The Roots of Music, which provides music history and theory as well as instrumental instruction and ensemble performance preparation Roots serve kids ages 3-18 from low-income households, and provides students with hot meals and round-trip transportation to reduce common barriers to participation. Five days a week, 12 months a year, their program delivers over 2,500 hours of music education and other academic tutoring, over 30,400 nutritious hot meals, 1,400 bus journeys, and supplies over 150 instruments for student use.
We will kick off our Lekgotla Journey with a community dinner at Ashé Cultural Arts Center. Ashé’s mission is to use art and culture to support human, community, and economic development.
TuesdayWednesday
March26th
Afternoon Schedule 4pm – 10pm
The Roots of Music
Dinner at Ashé Cultural Arts Center
Our first Lekgotla journey to South Africa in 2024
Thursday March27th
Activism&CULTURE incommunity
Today’s Schedule
Before 8:15am Breakfast
8:15am Morning Circle
9:00am New Orleans African American Museum
10:30am 9th Ward Visit with Robert Green
12:30pm Lunch at Café Reconcile
2:30pm Preservation Hall
4:30pm Arrive at Tulane for Book Festival Opening with Bryan Stevenson
7:30pm Dinner at Saba
We will begin our day at the New Orleans African American Museum (NOAAM) with a warm welcome from Gia Hamilton, Executive Director & Chief Curator, exploring the pivotal role of African American history in the city’s artistic landscape. The Museum is located in Tremé, the oldest African American neighborhood in the United States.
We will continue our journey with exploring the 9th Ward with Robert Green. Robert Green is a survivor of Hurricane Katrina who lives in the Lower 9th Ward. Robert will guide us to the levees, Burnell’s Market, and the House of Dance and Feathers
Next stop is Café Reconcile for lunch, where delicious food meets the mission of workforce development and community service.
We will then experience the soulful ambiance of Preservation Hall with Ashley Graham, Development Director of the Hall, delving into the history of jazz and its vital connection to New Orleans culture.
We will spend our late afternoon at Tulane University for the Opening Night of the New Orleans Book Festival.
We will hear from The Atlantic’s award-winning journalists, including Jeffrey Goldberg, Anne Applebaum, Adam Serwer, Elaina Plott Calabro, and McKay Coppins.
Bryan Stevenson will discuss his groundbreaking work at the Equal Justice Initiative, a human rights organization in Montgomery, Alabama, and the powerful story behind Just Mercy, which highlights the need for criminal justice reform and mercy
We will conclude our evening with dinner at Saba, savoring Mediterranean-inspired dishes that celebrate local ingredients and culinary artistry.
LiteraryCONNECTIONS: ExploringtheFestival
≠Theme: "Literary Connections: A Day at the New Orleans Book Festival"
We will start the day with a Morning Circle, fostering community and setting intentions for the Festival ahead.
Friday’s Schedule
Morning: Gathering and Inspiration
We will immerse ourselves in the New Orleans Book Festival, participating in panels, author readings, and workshops that celebrate a wide array of genres and voices, enriching your understanding of contemporary literature.
Daytime: Celebration of Literature
We will conclude the day with our Community Celebration at 34 Restaurant & Bar, Chef Emeril Lagasse’s first restaurant dedicated to the cuisine of his Portuguese heritage.
Before 9:00am Breakfast 9:00am Morning Circle 10:00am - 5:00pm New Orleans Book Festival 7:30 pm Dinner at 34 Restaurant & Bar
9:00 AM: Start the day with a "Morning Circle & Breakfast," fostering community and setting intentions for the festival ahead, allowing attendees to connect and share their literary passions.
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM: Immerse yourself in the New Orleans Book Festival, participating in panels, author readings, and workshops that celebrate a wide array of genres and voices, enriching your understanding of contemporary literature.
Clic: Culinary Experience
Today, we will continue to explore the Book Festival, engaging in a variety of panels, author readings, and workshops that showcase a diverse range of literary voices and genres, fostering dialogue and inspiration among participants.
7:30 PM: Conclude the day with dinner at 34 Restaurant & Bar, enjoying a delightful culinary experience that reflects the flavors of New Orleans, providing a perfect backdrop for further literary discussions and connections made throughout the day. Conclusion: This day emphasizes the power of literature to connect individuals while celebrating the unique cultural atmosphere of New Orleans. Tuesday Friday&
We will then join the Closing Musical Celebration, where local musicians take the stage, blending the joy of literature with the vibrant musical culture of New Orleans, providing a lively and memorable wrap-up to the festival.
Before 9:00am Breakfast 9:00am Morning Circle 10:00am4:00pm New Orleans Book Festival 4:30pm6:00pm Closing Musical Celebration For more on the Book Festival, visit: https://bookfest.tulane.edu/
Saturday’ s Schedule
Lekgotla Travelers
We are deeply grateful to this incredible group of sharp minds and big hearts for joining the Lekgotla trip to New Orleans. Your commitment to building community and culture will make this journey truly special. Through your insight, passion, and generosity, you will create meaningful connections and lasting impact. Thank you for bringing your energy, wisdom, and spirit to this experience—we are honored to share this journey with you!
Name
Susan Ascher
Top
Three Values
Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), Reducing the women's health gap, Sustainability smascher1md@gmail.com
Jeri Asher Integrity, Living a purpose driven joyful life, Lifting others jerilyn.p.asher@gmail com
Jim Atwood Love, Family, Fun jatwood@firstrepublic.com
Kristen Atwood Love, Humility, Gratitude kristenatwood5@gmail.com
Jeb Boasberg Friendship, Optimism, Gluttony James Boasberg@dcd uscourts gov
Holly Bonomo Empathy, Curiosity, Humility bonomoh@mac.com
Richard Bonomo Honesty, Compassion, Responsibility rbonomo@mac.com
Joan Cromwell Trust, Truth, Respect cromwelljg@aol.com
Geralyn Dreyfous Kindness, Moral Imagination, Gratitude gdreyfous@me.com
Jennie Eplett Reilly Loving Kindness, Creativity, Grace JERworkshop@gmail.com
Nicole Felton Justice, Fairness, Dignity nicole felton@harvard.edu
Evans Gabeau Community, Trust, Love ggabeau63@gmail.com
Geralde Gabeau Compassion, Community, Faith gegabeau65@gmail.com
Paul Ginsberg Loyalty, Fairness, Honesty pdg@ginsberg1.com
Marni Grossman Self-love, Compassion, Empowerment mgrossman93@gmail com
Lekgotla Travelers
New Orleans Partners
New Orleans Partners
About the Fellowship
Founded in 2022 to honor the life and legacy of social entrepreneur Greg Ricks, the Ripples of Hope Fellowship selects 12 - 14 young adult leaders each year from South Africa and the United States to participate in a life changing experience in both countries.
The Fellowship targets motivated change agents who share a commitment to breaking down barriers to opportunity, equity, inclusion, and hope. They are selected for their passion and demonstrated unique commitment and potential as community leaders, driving social change and community-led movements for justice.
This distinctive international Fellowship engages fellows in a cohort experience of learning across boundaries and builds a values-driven pipeline of social entrepreneurs. Fellows commit to a year of monthly virtual workshops, two intensive cultural immersions in the U.S. and in South Africa, and regular meetings with a personalized coach. As a result, fellows become a part of a lifelong international learning community, comprised of educators, activists, and social change agents from all walks of life and backgrounds.
Our Model
CulturalImmersion:
NewfellowclassjoinsgraduatingFellow classfora1-2weekimmersion
USA->oddyears
SA->evenyears
Individualized Mentoring
Fellows are matched with a mentor in their field of interest Throughout the year the mentors and fellows meet
Monthly Virtual Workshops
Monthly Fellows join together for virtual workshops focused around a “voyage” curriculum Learn more on page 5
CulturalImmersion:
NewfellowclassjoinsgraduatingFellow classfora1-2weekimmersion
SA->evenyears
USA->oddyears
AlumniCommunity
“Wehavephysicallyand emotionallytransformed. Weimpactedpeople,and thepeoplewemetalong ourjourneyareapartofa broadcommunityfilled withpassionand purpose.”
Athi,SouthAfricanFellow
Who we look for
Exceptional young leaders who embody the core values that define a true Ripples of Hope Fellow to join our Beloved Community.
Changemakers driven by a profound sense of purpose and an unwavering commitment to making a lasting impact in the communities they serve.
Leaders who are actively and significantly engaged in building community or working for social change and committed to the ideals of “The Beloved Community.”
Participants interested and willing to engage with an international cohort, monthly online meetings, scheduled mentorship discussions, and two immersion experiences Between ages 20 and 26, as of start of the program year (June)
Those committed to being involved beyond the Fellowship year through our Alumni Program and extended community
Meet the Fellows
The Class of 2025
We are excited to introduce the third cohort of Ripples of Hope Fellows who each bring diverse cultural backgrounds, experiences, and passions while sharing a zest for service and inciting social change. These Fellows will be graduating in June 2025!
Gabrielle Adams USA
Marketing and Outreach Coordinator at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater
Lucky Kubeka South Africa
Intern at Tourvest
Destination Management, Drifters Adventure Tours
Wicus Cronje South Africa
Conservation Intern; Graduate, BSc
Nicholas Miso South Africa
Postgraduate student at Stellenbosch University in Musical Performance
Kevin James USA
Law Student at Columbia Law
Dolly Modise South Africa
Former City Year Service Leader currently involved in Early Childhood Development
Meet the Fellows
The Class of 2025
Lorena Munoz USA
Undergraduate student at Boston College studying Elementary Education & Perspectives in Spanish
Eliza Shaughnessy USA
Administrative Assistant & On-Site Campus Supervisor at Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education
Jenine Scott South Africa
Finance Assistant at Bain & Company; Founder at Dignity in Flow
Paul Semedo USA
Incoming J.D. Candidate at Quinnipiac University School of Law
Kgosi Tshabalala South Africa
Co-founder of Botswalle, The Sisterhood Foundation
Dannah Wilson USA
Production Assistant and Script Supervisor at Dennis Reed II Productions
Founding Class of 2023 & Class of 2024
The first two Fellows Classes together for the USA Immersion in July 2023.
Founding Class of 2023
Faria Afreen
Maria Alejandra Guevara-Carpio
Jack Burgess
Ashley De Pina Nunes
Nicolaas Horn
Mpho Maboee
Thuto Manyama
Abe Medeiros
Neo Sello
Class of 2024
Pontsho Lebepe
Lona Magengelele
Sino Mankayi
Athi Ndwebi
Danielle Santos
Arthur Tartee
Zackeen Thomas
Doan Tran
Deborah Vieira
Alumni Profiles
Athi Ndwebi, Class of 2024
Athi Ndwebi is an alumni of the Ripples of Hope Fellowship. In 2017, Athi founded Uyanda Serve in Faith Movement in Sir Lowry’s Pass, South Africa. Uyanda’s programming includes the Uyanda Academy Daycare Centre, feeding schemes, elderly care and support, charitable donations, mentorship, assistance with late birth and ID document registrations, disaster relief, educational opportunities, application support for further learning, gospel ministry, and outreaches Through our Fellowship, Athi learned skills around communications, capacity building and fundraising, and is currently working to grow his organization Learn more at servewithfaith.co.za.
Jenine Scott, Class of 2025
Pontsho Lepebe, Class of 2024
Neo Sello, Mpho Maboee, Founding Class
Our favorite joys come from the connections our Fellows build with each other! Class of 2025 Fellow Jenine Scott had an idea to start a women empowerment and menstruation item access organization in her community She knew to be successful, we needed a stellar team! She immediately turned to her family of Fellows She recruited Founding Fellows Mpho Maboee and Neo Sello, and Pontsho Lebepe from the second class Neo & Mpho are working closely with Jenine to design programming and operationalize the program. Pontsho is leading the charge in building the website and digital platforms for DiF. In October 2024, Dignity in Flow held this first community event, where they provided menstrual products and sanitary kits for over 80 girls in Kliptown, South Africa. For every $5 given, a teen can access one month of menstrual products.
Deborah Vieira Class of 2024
orah began a new role as Director of Brockton’s Promise Alliance for Youth, a talized initiative under the leadership of the Boys & Girls Club of Metro South through a $1M, 5-year grant from Boston Children’s Hospital as part of their ro South West Healthy Communities Initiative Deborah also works part time Ripples of Hope on the Fellowship Program Workshops From Deborah: ckton is a city built on resilience, resourcefulness, and heart Like many cktonians, my parents came to this city in search of a better life for their re family. I grew up learning to navigating systems and resources, translating uments, and trying my best in school so that one day, I could offer those und me a better life too. This journey has profoundly shaped my passion for th advocacy, and it’s an honor to return to my hometown to create meaningful ortunities for the next generation.”
Meet the Ripples Lekgotla Team
Cindy Laba Director
Ariane Hoy Senior Program Lead
Aletta Smith Dean & Director of Admission
Kristen Atwood Founder & Board Chair
Vanessa Kirsch Board Member
Holly Bonomo Board Member
Jennie Eplett-Reilly Founding Vice-Chair
How We Support Our Work
As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Ripples of Hope is supported by generous gifts and grants from foundations, corporations, and philanthropic individuals and families.
The Ripples of Hope Ubuntu Circle
Launched in 2024, the Ubuntu Circle is our new major gift program, uniting a community of engaged and thoughtful donors who make an annual commitment to support the vital work of Ripples of Hope. Our goal is to raise $525,000 in annual donations from this very special community of philanthropic families.
The Ubuntu Circle Giving Levels are as follows:
Platinum Level: $100,000
Gold Level: $50,000
Silver Level: $25,000
Bronze Level: $10,000
Members of The Ubuntu Circle are provided with special opportunities for service, speaker series, and journeys. All philanthropic families who make a three-year pledge to the Ubuntu Circle before January 1, 2026 will be designated as Founding Members.
Notes & Inspiration
Notes & Inspiration