US Government Programs, Projects, and Grants

As a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Côte d’Ivoire, Eric supported English language education, youth development, cultural exchange, and public diplomacy. Based in Abidjan, he taught English to Ivorian students, collaborated with local educational partners, and supported American Spaces programming focused on language learning, leadership, and cross-cultural engagement.

The Fulbright experience deepened Eric’s connection to Côte d’Ivoire and helped shape his long-term commitment to building educational and institutional bridges between the United States and Francophone Africa. It also gave him firsthand insight into the role that language learning, public diplomacy, mentorship, and cultural exchange can play in expanding opportunity for young people and strengthening cross-border partnerships.

Through the Mandela Washington Fellowship Reciprocal Exchange Grant, a program funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by IREX, Eric co-designed and implemented “Your Network is Your Net Worth” in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The initiative was developed in partnership with YALI alumna Yasmine Diawara Affoué and focused on youth leadership, professional development, mentorship, networking, and career readiness.

The program brought together young leaders for practical training and institutional engagement designed to strengthen their communication skills, professional confidence, leadership capacity, and access to networks. It reflected Eric’s broader approach to youth programming: relationship-driven, locally grounded, and focused on connecting young people with tools, mentors, and long-term opportunities.