Champs for Change and We Will Lead Africa: A Sports Volume - Purpose Perseverance Passion : Everyday African sports leadership stories

5 Star Review

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Editorial Book Review:

By SM Harrison

Champs for Change and We Will Lead Africa: A Sports Volume – Purpose Perseverance Passion is a groundbreaking contribution to the fields of social innovation, sport, and contemporary African literature. This volume, which was curated and authored by Memuna Williams, Clarisse Machanguana, and Randy Soumahoro, resonates with clarity and purpose. It is a masterfully curated archive of hope, courage, and leadership across the continent, as well as an urgent call to action.

The literary structure of the book mirrors its message: dynamic, inclusive, and deeply human. The writing balances narrative elegance with journalistic precision, presenting roughly forty firsthand accounts that are unified in tone but distinct in voice. The editors shape these profiles into a compelling arc, where individual stories gain collective momentum. Each account is brief but potent, layered with the kind of experiential truth that transcends mere biography. The tone is unpretentious yet authoritative, making the book accessible without sacrificing intellectual rigor.

This volume delves into the intersection of identity, sport, and transformation. The book is interwoven with themes of resilience, gender equity, entrepreneurship, youth empowerment, and continental pride, resembling connective tissue. The leaders who are highlighted are entrepreneurs, athletes, coaches, media figures, and policy influencers—many of whom are not well-known to global audiences but are deeply ingrained in their communities. Their narratives are indicative of the distinctive capacity of sports to educate, mobilize, and heal. These are not narratives of fame for the sake of fame, but rather, they are portraits of resilience in the face of adversity, of lives lived in pursuit of a purpose that extends beyond the scoreboard.

The emotional impact of this book is profound. Readers come away not only inspired but deeply informed. It is impossible to move through these pages without reevaluating conventional ideas of leadership and success. The authors compel us to view sport as a legitimate vehicle for social change and cultural redefinition in Africa—not an escape, but a bridge. It broadens the scope of global discussions regarding equity and development from an intellectual perspective. It reinforces the dignity and brilliance of African youth, particularly those who are frequently excluded from global narratives, on an emotional level.

This volume is not merely a compilation of narratives; it serves as a model for leadership that is motivated by values rather than vanity. It is appropriate for use in boardrooms, classrooms, and libraries.

About the Author

Memuna Williams

Dr. Memuna Williams is an award-winning executive and thought leader dedicated to driving sustainable change through education, leadership, and entrepreneurship. With over 30 years of global experience spanning corporations, non-profits and social ventures, she has led impactful teams and projects across North America and Africa. She is a co-founder and the operations lead of Champs for Change (C4C), is recognized for her expertise in training, consulting, and research, and has received prestigious awards for her work in business and women’s leadership. Dr. Williams holds degrees from Concordia University, Université de Montréal, Queens University of Charlotte, and the University of Liverpool. She lives between Washington, DC and Johannesburg with her husband, Victor. They have three sons.

About the Author

Clarisse Machanguana

Clarisse Machanguana is a former professional basketball player from Mozambique and a leading advocate for youth empowerment. Born in Maputo in 1976, she played college basketball at Old Dominion University, where she led her team to the NCAA championship game and earned All-American honors. She was drafted into the WNBA in 1999, playing for the Los Angeles Sparks, Charlotte Sting, and Orlando Miracle, and also had a successful career in Europe.

Following her retirement from professional sports, Clarisse founded the Clarisse Machanguana Foundation in 2014. Her organization focuses on using sports, education, and health initiatives to empower youth across Mozambique. Notably, her national HIV awareness campaigns and youth leadership programs have impacted over a million people. From 2016 to 2018, she served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, and in 2018 she was recognized by Queen Elizabeth II as a Commonwealth Point of Light for her community service.

Clarisse continues to lead programs that build confidence, leadership, and life skills among young people—especially girls—through sport. She is also a co-founder of Champs for Change, an initiative dedicated to developing the next generation of African sports leaders.

About the Author

Randy Soumahoro

Randy Soumahoro is a global marketing leader on a mission to support brands in telling stories and developing strategies that drive actions and positively impact lives. He is passionate about driving brand equity, strategic partnerships, revenue growth and has a nuanced understanding of international markets and consumer engagement.

With a career that spans Africa, Europe and North America and touches advertising agencies, education, and the sports industries, he brings with him a blend of global perspective, cultural insight, strategic acumen, and creative vision to every project and initiative. He is dedicated to leveraging his expertise to empower youth through sports.