Mohamed Sanu Golf Outing a Success

We are thrilled to share the success of our recent charity golf outing hosted by Mohamed Sanu (NFL Football Alumni) on July 11 at Bear’s Best, Atlanta. This event was a remarkable testament to the power of community, generosity, and the love of golf.

The event was well attended, with over 90 registered golfers.

Several notable attendees/participants, including the following, graced the event:

Christian Blake- NFL Atlanta Falcons
Vernon Davis- NFL San Francisco 49ers
Kris Medlen- MLB Atlanta Braves
Chris Tucker (comedian)
Sean Weatherspoon- NFL Atlanta Falcons
Roddy White (Falcons)
Elijah Wilkinson- NFL Arizona Cardinals

We are pleased to announce that, thanks to the generosity of participants and sponsors, we raised almost $20,000. These funds will go towards finishing the construction of the center’s 2nd floor, helping us get closer to providing computer and vocational training for youths in Sierra Leone. We plan to share a construction progress update in the coming months.

Looking ahead, we are excited to continue building on this momentum. Your ongoing support is crucial to our efforts, and we look forward to you participating in future events and initiatives. Together, we are making a real difference.

Sylvester Renner, President of Develop Africa, attended the golf outing, and expressed his gratitude for the event saying,
"This golf outing, generously sponsored by Mohamed Sanu, has been an extraordinary demonstration of unity and commitment to education. We are deeply grateful to everyone who participated and supported this event. Your contributions will make a significant difference in advancing educational opportunities across Africa. Together, we we are paving the way for brighter futures."

Avis Dillard-Bullock, a Develop Africa Board member, also attended the event and remarked, "The turnout for a first event was excellent, the food and prizes were high quality, and the items in the silent auction were good."

Please save the date:
We hope to hold the next annual golf outing in June 2025. More details to be announced in the coming months.

Photos of the event are available here.

Wesley Branch, reporter at the Gwinnett Daily Post wrote the article below on the golf outing:

SUWANEE — Former Atlanta Falcons receiver Mohamed Sanu hosted the inaugural Develop Africa Golf Outing from Bear’s Best in Suwanee on Thursday.

Pairing with his mother Aminata Koroma and Develop Africa, a nonprofit organization “working to establish meaningful and sustainable development in Africa,” Sanu put on the event to support Sierra Leone, his parents’ native country.

The proceeds from the event went towards completing the construction of a three-story multi-purpose community center in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Upon completion, the community center will provide vocational and educational opportunities as well as other resources for the community.

Sanu, originally from Sayreville, New Jersey, lived in Sierra Leone as a child before returning to the United States.

“It’s awesome,” Sanu said of giving back to Sierra Leone. “Trying to make a difference in a country where my family is from and without that country there wouldn’t be a Mohamed Sanu.”

The center will create workspaces for locals to run their businesses on the first floor, while the second floor of the building will feature a large hall for events like graduations, weddings and leadership training.

Sanu said there are already several businesses lined up to utilize the spaces on the first floor.

Finally, the third floor will hold a training center that will provide a computer lab for students and adults, access that is available to very few high school graduates in Sierra Leone.

“I think less than 10% of Sierra Leonians have access to internet,” said Sanu. “To be able to build something like that would give the community a big leap in education and access.”

Alongside Sanu was a long list of esteemed guests consisting of notable figures from the Atlanta area. In attendance included former Falcons receiver and Ring of Honor member Roddy White, comedian and actor Chris Tucker, former Pro Bowl tight end Vernon Davis and more.

Many members of Develop Africa were at the event as well, including the president and founder of the organization, Sylvester Renner.

Renner, who is also from Sierra Leone, came to the United States in 1995. After earning his MBA shortly after, he shifted his focus to giving back to his community, a goal he was able to accomplish after establishing Develop Africa in 2006.

“Instead of just thinking of pursuing the American dream, I felt my parents raised me to think about others,” said Renner. “No matter what situation you are in, there are people who are going to be better off than you and worse off than you. My parents taught me always think about how you can help others and better the lives of others.”

Those who are interested in learning more about Develop Africa can visit developafrica.org.

Mohamed Sanu and Develop Africa team members