Obama Namechecks New Okayafrica Editorial Team Member & Young African Leader Brian 'B Flow' Kasoka

Zambian musician and gender rights activist Brian Kasoka, otherwise known as B Flow, is joining our editorial team as part of President Obama's Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. Starting today, Brian — who was personally name-checked by the POTUS last week — will be working with us to bring the hot, new, cool from Zambia straight to your browser.

Brian is one of 500 Fellows participating in the 2015 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, the flagship program of Obama's Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). Last week, the Fellows met with Obama during a summit in D.C., where the President gave Brian a special shout-out (see 7:24 in the video below):

"Brian uses music to advocate against things like gender-based violence and to educate youth on HIV/AIDS. So while in the U.S., he’s learned about our health care system, met the founder of an American HIV/AIDS organization, and now he plans to start a record label for music about social change. So, Brian, we’re proud to be your partner." –President Obama

Congratulations, Brian! We're excited to have you on board.