The Black Star Homecoming Expedition is Word is Bond’s newest dynamic program!

The Black Star Homecoming Expedition is the capstone leadership experience of Word is Bond’s three-year Rite of Passage program, Rising Leaders. Ambassadors must complete the first two years of the program in order to be eligible for the Expedition. During the Expedition, ambassadors, travel to Accra, Ghana, in West Africa for a two-week immersive international leadership experience.

The Black Star Expedition is a leadership experience like no other that connects ambassadors with their ancestral roots in one of the most historic countries on the continent of Africa. Participants land in the capital of Accra and travel throughout the country, learning about the ancient Ashanti Kingdom, the history of the trans-Atlantic slave trade in the region, as well as the modern state of Ghana, as the first country on the continent of Africa to gain its independence from European colonial rule.

Highlights of the Expedition include visiting the Cape Coast and Elimina slave dungeons, touring one of Ghana's brand new STEAM high schools, meeting students at Kwame Nkrumah University, visiting Larabanga Mosque, the oldest mosque in West Africa, taking workshops on Kente Cloth weaving as well as traditional African cooking, touring the historic palace of Ashanti Kingdom, taking a hands-on tour of a manufacturing plant, and taking a wildlife safari at Mole National Park.

During the expedition, Ambassadors meet with ministers from the Ghanaian government including the Ministers of Education, Health, and Gender. They visit and tour local elementary, high schools, and universities engaging in dialogue around education and delivering education supplies. The Expedition focuses on the power of international travel. Ambassadors return to the United States with a wider perspective of the world as well as a passport that unlocks doors and opportunities for years to come.

For sponsorship opportunities, media inquiries, and any other questions please contact our Executive Director, Lakayana Drury at Lakayana@mywordisbond.org

Become a Corporate Sponsor!

For sponsorships please email lakayana@mywordisbond.org

Download our full sponsorship guide

Meet our Leadership Team

Lakayana Drury, Program Director

“When I share my vision for the Black Star Homecoming Expedition, two of the most common questions I get are; “Why Africa? Why Ghana?” The answer is simple. If we are going to truly empower young Black men, we have to fully invest in their leadership.” - Lakayana

Full bio.

Isaac Armstrong, Program Advisor

“I am so excited to be part of this project because as a young African who was raised in Ghana and now a resident in the United States, I understand the complexities of the struggles young Black men face in pursuit of excellence in society. I believe that if we help nurture these brilliant young men to understand their history, culture, and potential, we will be creating a new generation of Black men who will change the gory narrative to that of glory.” - Isaac

Full bio.

Twixx, Director of Videography

“I’m excited to work on this project and capture beautiful moments of the young new leaders of our generation. It’s most important to me because I get to capture moments that will impact students lives forever! being a young creative and having the opportunity to express my art and perspective in a new environment such as Ghana is one-of-a-kind experience I’m excited to explore.” -Twixx

Other Ways to Support the Expedition

There are many ways to support the Black Star Homecoming Expedition

• Make introductions to contacts you have in Ghana (we are specifically seeking Government officials, business owners, nonprofits and community leaders)

• Donate supplies we can take to Ghana (school supplies, medical supplies, technology)

• Become a Corporate Sponsor

• Make an individual Donation

To connect on any of these topics please send us an email to lakayana@mywordisbond.org