This is a story about a King who went from a classroom to a TV studio in less than two weeks. In mid-February, Dr. Luther King Abia Akebe . a microbiologist at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Pretoria, #SouthAfrica , was one of 24 New Voices Fellows with The Aspen Institute who spent a week receiving writing and public speaking training related to the issues they are most passionate about. The fellowship is designed to shift the narrative around #globaldevelopment issues, to ensure that the messages come from a broader range of messengers. Dr. Akebe's vision is clear: he wants to see an #Africa that fully embraces the power of #scientificresearch to respond to urgent #publichealth challenges like #cholera , #NTDS and, of course, #coronavirus . Less than two weeks later, Dr. Akebe found himself in a DStv eNCA studio discussing the need to further understand the role of the environment in the spread of coronavirus. Talk about impact. Talk about expertise. Talk about shifting narratives. #AspenNewVoices is creating more seats at the global conversation table every day. Bravo, King! #globalhealth #microbiology #publichealthemergency #COVID19 #research #STEM …see more