Askia the Great

The Twenty-First Century African Youth Movement (AYM), founded by Askia, is a dynamic initiative to empower young people across Africa to drive positive change in their communities. Askia envisioned AYM as a movement that harnesses African youth energy, creativity, and determination, believing they are the key to social and economic progress across the continent. He sees young people not just as future leaders but as leaders today, capable of making a meaningful impact now.

AYM’s core mission is to provide African youth with the tools, knowledge, and resources needed to become change agents. Askia plays a vital role in making this mission a reality by actively engaging with the youth, understanding their struggles, and helping them access opportunities to improve their lives and communities. He connects young people to mentors, training, and resources that enable them to address local challenges, from improving education to protecting the environment and advancing technology.

Askia’s leadership is more than just overseeing activities; it is about inspiring action, promoting responsibility, and fostering a sense of ownership among young Africans. He works tirelessly to build a culture where young people feel empowered to take responsibility for their environment and future. Through AYM, he emphasizes that each participant has the power to solve problems and contribute to the development of their country.

A key part of AYM’s approach is promoting collaboration among young people from different backgrounds, encouraging diverse perspectives to solve challenges effectively. Askia uses modern technology to link youth across borders, creating a network to share ideas and work together for common solutions. He also emphasizes storytelling as a powerful tool for change. AYM encourages young people to share their experiences and challenges through videos, articles, and social media, allowing African voices to reach a global audience. Askia understands that by telling their stories, young people can reshape the narrative about Africa, highlighting the potential and resilience of the next generation.

Education is central to AYM’s mission. The movement provides training and information that help young people understand the issues affecting their communities, allowing them to make informed decisions and act. Askia believes that by equipping youth with knowledge, they can be more effective leaders today, addressing issues that matter to them and shaping the future of their communities.

Through his leadership, Askia ensures that AYM is not just an organization but a vibrant, responsive movement that adapts to the needs of African youth. He acts as a mentor, motivator, and connector, bridging the gap between young people and the opportunities they need to thrive. His dedication and vision have inspired many young Africans, showing them that meaningful change starts with one person’s idea but grows into a collective movement when people come together with a shared purpose.

Under Askia’s guidance, AYM aims to create a generation of young Africans who are equipped, empowered, and ready to lead their continent toward a brighter future. Through action, responsibility, and community, AYM pushes young people to act rather than wait, to take charge of their environment, and to build supportive communities. This movement embodies the belief that youth are not just spectators in Africa’s story but active authors of its future.

Askia is a Humanist, Artist, and Poet. His painting has been exhibited in the Porter Butts Gallery, “67Th Annual Student Art Exhibition” at UW-Madison. His poem on the “Waters of Wisconsin” was published in the Spring 2003 Wisconsin Academy Review. He was also a nominated semi-finalist in the 5th Annual Volvo for life Awards in 2007 and author of The Rebellion of Korah: Lessons on Authority, Obedience, and Forgiveness.