The Obama Foundation has announced the launch of Obama Foundation Leaders: Africa, a year-long initiative aimed at inspiring, empowering, and connecting two hundred emerging leaders from across the continent to take on the biggest challenges in their communities and countries.

The effort will kick off in Johannesburg this summer with a five-day convening at which the young leaders will have the opportunity to attend plenary sessions, problem-solving workshops, technical trainings, and leadership-development sessions. The convening will include a town hall meeting with former President Barack Obama during which Obama will hear about their experiences and the work they're doing. While in Johannesburg, Obama also will deliver the Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture, which this year honors the one hundredth birthday of the late South African leader.

According to USA Today, Bernadette Meehan, previously the foundation's executive director of international programs, will oversee the new program as its chief international officer. "These remarkable individuals will be a part of our largest and most ambitious leadership group to date," said Meehan. "In bringing together two hundred young leaders from across Africa, we hope to begin a conversation about how each of us can create positive change in our communities."