In the summer of 2025, Peckham, a Lansing-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities and barriers to employment, welcomed a group of Mandela Washington Fellows. These young African leaders, part of the U.S. Department of State’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), spent five weeks immersed in Peckham’s operations, exploring its commitment to maximizing human potential through innovative, inclusive practices. The Fellows left with practical insights and a renewed vision for fostering inclusion in their home countries.

Peckham’s mission to provide opportunities for independence and self-sufficiency resonated deeply with the Fellows. They toured three of organization’s social enterprises, including Revolution Farm-East, one of its warehouse, manufacturing facilities, and learned about its custodial services, all the while observing how Peckham integrates human-centered design to create accessible, supportive work environments. The concept of universal design—crafting spaces and systems that accommodate everyone, regardless of ability—emerged as a cornerstone of their experience. Maseka Lumayi, Albinism activist and Project Officer at Cheshire Home Society, noted, “The most important concept I got from Peckham was universal design. It’s how they give space for every person, whether with or without disability, to thrive.” This approach inspired several of the Fellows to rethink how workplaces in their communities could be reimagined to prioritize accessibility.

The Fellows also learned that inclusion doesn’t require vast resources—it can start small. By observing Peckham’s practical solutions, such as adaptive tools and flexible workspaces, they saw how incremental changes could make a significant impact. “I’ve seen a lot of initiatives here where you can start small,” Clinical psychologist Ashley Razafindrabe, from Madagascar, shared. “I can bring them back home and start small as well to include people with disabilities in workplaces.” This realization made her determined to consider actionable steps for her own organizations, even in resource-constrained settings.

Beyond technical insights, the Fellows were struck by Peckham’s culture of belonging. The organization’s reflection rooms, designed to support employees’ mental and physical well-being, stood out as a model for creating safe, empowering spaces. “Creating a space that enables people to work freely—I’ve seen reflection rooms, and I feel that is very important,” Ugandan Kevin Nanteza, Founder and Team Lead at Teza Psychosocial Centra, reflected. “Even at work, someone can find a minute to get their life together, physically or mentally.” Peckham’s commitment to collaboration and innovation aligned seamlessly with the Fellows’ goals as emerging leaders. They witnessed how the organization engages private, nonprofit, and governmental sectors to drive impact, a model they hope to emulate. By blending universal design with a culture of inclusion, Peckham demonstrated that empowering individuals with disabilities isn’t just possible—it’s transformative. As the Fellows return to their communities across Sub-Saharan Africa, they carry practical strategies and a shared vision: to build workplaces where everyone has a place to thrive, proving that small steps can lead to world-class excellence.