“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 energyand daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”
Senator Robert F. Kennedy Day of Affirmation speech to young people in Cape Town, South Africa in 1966
SUPPORT THE RIPPLES OF HOPE FELLOWSHIP
The Ripples of Hope International Fellowship invests in the next generation of courageous leaders—young change makers from South Africa and the United States who are breaking down barriers to justice, opportunity, and inclusion. Your support helps provide life-changing cultural immersions, personalized mentorship, and a year of transformative leadership development. Together, we’re building a global Beloved Community—one grounded in hope, dignity, and action. Join us in fueling the ripples of change.
About the Fellowship
Founded in 2022 to honor the life and legacy of social entrepreneur, Greg Ricks, the Ripples of Hope International Fellowship annually selects 12–15 emerging leaders from South Africa and the United States for a life-changing, cross-cultural experience
The Fellowship is designed for motivated change makers (usually between the ages of 20 and 26) who are breaking down barriers to equity, opportunity, inclusion, and hope. Fellows are chosen for their passion, purpose, and demonstrated potential as community leaders advancing social justice and driving community-led change.
This distinctive, yearlong program fosters learning across borders and builds a values-driven pipeline of social entrepreneurs. Fellows participate in monthly virtual workshops, two immersive cultural experiences one in the U S and one in South Africa and receive regular mentorship from experienced coaches
Together, they form a lifelong, international community of educators, activists, and agents of change committed to creating a more just and hopeful world.
Benefits of the Fellowship
A Year-long Journey of Leadership Development:
Cross-Cultural Exchange
Participants embark on an interactive program featuring workshops, mentorship, and practical projects aimed at refining their leadership skills and fostering a deeper understanding of social justice issues.
The program brings together young leaders from South Africa and the United States, cultivating an environment of cultural diversity, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas. This experience will broaden their perspectives and enhance their ability to address complex social issues in a global context.
Opportunities for Collaboration
The fellowship opens doors to exciting collaborative opportunities, enabling fellows to engage with likeminded individuals from diverse backgrounds. This collaborative environment fosters innovation and shared learning, propelling fellows to think beyond boundaries and discover fresh perspectives. Through such collaborative endeavors, they strengthen their ability to effect transformative change by drawing on collective wisdom and diverse skill sets.
A Global Network
Fellows have the chance to connect with subject matter experts, mentors, and thought leaders, both from their own country and from our network of broader partner organizations. This invaluable network supports them in their leadership journeys and offers guidance for creating sustainable social change.
Mentorship
As part of the Ripples of Hope Fellowship Program, selected fellows have the privilege of being paired with experienced and accomplished mentors. These mentors provide invaluable guidance, support, and insights throughout their journey, helping them navigate challenges, refine their goals, and develop essential leadership qualities. This personalized mentorship will foster a strong sense of guidance and encouragement, empowering the fellows to realize their full potential and make a lasting impact in their respective fields.
We seek exceptional young leaders who embody the core values of the Ripples of Hope International Fellowship and are ready to join our Beloved Community a diverse network of change makers united by purpose, courage, and hope. Ideal candidates are:
Purpose-driven change makers with a deep commitment to making a lasting impact in their communities. Actively engaged in advancing equity, building community, or leading social change efforts.
Guided by the ideals of Beloved Community, with a passion for justice, inclusion, and unity. Eager to learn across cultures and build lifelong connections through an international cohort experience. Willing to commit to a yearlong journey, including monthly online workshops, mentorship conversations, and two in-person cultural immersions one in the United States and one in South Africa.
Between the ages of 20 and 26 at the start of the program year (June)
If you’re ready to deepen your leadership, broaden your perspective, and contribute to a global community of hope and action, we invite you to apply
What’s your Vision? Setting SMART Goals and Expanding your Networks Sharing your Voice: Social Change Roles & Ecosystems Enhancing your Vitality: Networking, Mentorship, and Narratives Vessel: Telling the Story of Me, We, and Now (Public Narrative) Leveraging your Value: Training and Program Development
Embracing our Village: Fellow-led Holiday and Cultural Celebrations
Learning Outcomes
As a result of Fellows’ participation, fellows should achieve the following learning outcomes, organized into three categories of aims: skills, knowledge, & habits; personal and professional achievements; and relationships to self & others.
harnessing professional resources (e.g. Linkedin). Engage in and foster critical consciousness through continued reflection about one’s intersectional identities, power, privilege, and pride
Stoke leadership skills that embody and promote the Ripples of Hope core values.
Think outside the box to solve problems and be able to show creativity and innovation. Communicate effectively in different formats including speaking, writing, and visually (graphics), including marketing ideas
Learn and practice selfcare and community care through activities such as rest, relaxation, arts, meditation, and journaling Build and leverage diverse relationships and grow a powerful network of friends, colleagues, and partners
Be supported through a guided process to pursue goals and plans.
Develop and manage initiatives, including the skills to start or grow an entrepreneurial initiative to address a public challenge and purpose.
fellowship, to create a shared foundation of trust, solidarity, and collaboration
Sustain inspiration and hope through the tribulations of enacting change Nurture participants’ reflexive practice with rich opportunities for individual introspection and collective discussion
Our Impact
Deepening Youth-Based Community Movements and Social Innovation.
Building and Sustaining
Global Connections in the United States and South Africa.
Learn more about a few of our Fellows’ journeys below.
Athi Ndwebi, Class of 2024, founded Uyanda Serve in Faith Movement in Sir Lowry’s Pass, South Africa in 2017 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.
Jack Burgess, a Founding Fellow from Sandwich, MA, speaks beautifully about the impact of the South African immersion on his own justice journey: “As I watched the growing young adults perform the story of the Kliptown Youth Program (KYP) and the story of Thulani, I could feel the pride that each and every one of them took in being a part of this school. It was funny, I began to not feel out of place in a distant country, as this quality of pride and dignity rubbed off on me I also began to feel hope, a part of the greater KYP family It feels like a spark being lit in your heart, but also under your feet A continuous driving force to ignite the flames of change across the world ” Jack puts into words how the immersion helped to stoke the spirit of Ubuntu (shared humanity) that ripple out long afterwards
After participating in our South African immersion program, Jenine Scott, a Class of 2025 Fellow from Soweto, was inspired to create her own ripples Over the last year, Jenine has founded Dignity in Flow An organization that emphasizes the importance of dignity throughout puberty through educating young people on women’s health and providing access to sanitary products. 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. Since her launch event, she has recruited a team of other Alumni Fellows to build out the organization and has hosted monthly workshops and gatherings for girls in the community.
The Immersion Journey
Together, the cohort will learn about the history, current issues and challenges, and hopes for the future in the United States, South Africa, and the world. They’ll engage in arts and culture; visit important places, campuses, and organizations; and interact with youth, adults, professionals, alumni, and community leaders. They will expand their networks; share their own stories; and learn valuable lessons for their own work as emerging leaders working for a more equitable, safe, and just world.
At the conclusion of the immersion, the current class of Fellows will graduate and join our growing alumni community and the new fellows will continue to meet monthly (primarily online) with individuals whose lives and work was shaped by Dean Ricks, and by extension, the mentors, coaches and “elders” involved These workshops focus on values, knowledge, and skills that equip Fellows as lifelong change agents Each Fellow will be paired with a coach who can expand their networks and share their own stories
Together, the Ripples of Hope Fellowship energizes us all to tackle the issues we are passionate about and to work for positive community impact. If you are a Fellow or Coach, prepare for a transformational journey. If you are a supporter, we are grateful for your contributions of time, resources, and talent. While the Fellowship is just a year long, its impact will certainly last a lifetime. Thank you for joining us!
Thank you for your belief and support!
Board of Trustees
We are profoundly grateful to our Board of Trustees for their steadfast leadership, wise counsel, and unwavering belief in the mission of Ripples of Hope. Their dedication, generosity, and vision continue to inspire and guide our journey toward courageous leadership and meaningful impact.
Kristen Atwood, Founder and Chair of the Board
Jennie Eplett Reilly, Founding Vice-Chair
Holly Bonomo
Vanessa Kirsch
Kyle Umemba
Class of 2025 Investors
With heartfelt appreciation, we honor the individuals and families whose generous financial support is helping to make the Ripples of Hope Fellowship Class of 2025 possible. Donors marked with an * are Founding Donors who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment through a multi-year investment in our mission
