Sierra Leonean American Chidi Blyden Named Harvard Africa Studies Executive Director 

By Ola Aina 

Cambridge, Massachusetts: Sierra Leonean American foreign policy and security expert Chidi Blyden has been named Executive Director of Harvard University’s Center for African Studies, CAS, bringing more than two decades of experience in African affairs, national security, economic development and international policy to the prestigious institution. 

Sierra Leonean Heritage 

Blyden has deep Sierra Leonean roots and has maintained a strong connection with the country and the wider African diaspora. She attended Annie Walsh Secondary School for Girls in Freetown before continuing her education in the United States. 

Her professional career has focused extensively on Africa, particularly security, development, diplomacy and international relations. 

Academic Journey 

Blyden attended Crowley High School in Texas before enrolling at Texas A&M University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology. She also studied psychology, women’s studies and race and ethnic studies. 

She later earned a Master of Science in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University. 

Her academic training in sociology, conflict and peace studies helped shape a career centred on African affairs and international security. 

Distinguished Public Service 

Blyden began her national security career at the National Defense University’s Africa Center for Strategic Studies, where she worked on African security issues. 

She later served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs during the Biden-Harris administration. In that role, she managed United States Department of Defense relationships with 53 African countries. 

Blyden also served as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, where she helped oversee major US development investments. 

New Role at Harvard 

At Harvard, Blyden will help advance the Center for African Studies’ research, teaching, partnerships and engagement across Africa and the African diaspora. 

She has said Harvard should help educate the world about “Africa today, not Africa of the past”, while highlighting the continent’s human capital, talent and intellectual resources. 

Her appointment places a Sierra Leonean American with extensive government, academic and Africa policy experience at the leadership of one of the world’s leading centres for African studies. 

Ola Aina is a Black British journalist based in London, specialising in African affairs. She reports on politics, social change, and culture across the continent, bringing depth and context to underreported stories. Through insightful, human-centred journalism, her work connects UK audiences with Africa’s complexities, challenges, and opportunities