The Young African Professionals DC Network (YAP DC) is a 501(c)3 organization based in Washington DC. Since its inception, YAP DC has grown into a wide network of more than 10,000 young African professionals.
The overall vision of the organization is to address the professional needs of young Africans in the diaspora; support more Africans in positions of power and influence; and positively influence narratives about the continent. In 2016, the organization received the Community Leadership Award from the Washington, DC Mayor’s Office on African Affairs.
YAP DC offers members access to targeted events and programming that promote informal and formal avenues for professional growth and career development. Events are monthly and have included panel discussions ranging from how professionals can amplify their voices at work, to an annual forum on patent and intellectual property. They also have recruitment events by sponsoring organizations, and business conferences such as the Georgetown Africa Business Conference (GTABC).
For the past four years, the GTABC has been a success with the support and partnership of YAP DC. The New Venture Competition, hosted annually by YAP DC, is an integral part of GTABC. New, independent ventures in the seed, startup, or early growth stages, focused on Africa have an opportunity to apply to showcase their venture to a panel of expert judges and conference attendees. At this year’s GTABC, YAP DC awarded $10,000 in cash and in-kind to ventures and finalists accessed expert advice from Africa focused investors.
YAP DC’s strength remains in its ability to evolve with the times and built partnerships with an array of organizations, businesses, and individuals that includes various African embassies, the DC Office on African Affairs, the Museum of African Art, Politics & Prose, among others who share a similar vision.
