Michelle Obama in Africa

First Lady Michelle Obama went to South Africa and Botswana in June to meet with prominent public officials and, most importantly, young adults who will one day be the leaders of their countries. Obama says that the African continent is a fundamental part of our interconnected world, and that when it comes to meeting "the challenges of our time,” the world will look to the future leaders she’s going to meet during her trip “to help lead the way.”

BET.com was there when she delivered the keynote address at the U.S.-sponsored Young African Women Leaders Forum, took questions from students visiting the University of Cape Town and participated in a service project with youth leaders in Botswana.

The first lady firmly believes that once you hear the ideas, goals and dreams of the people she met on her travels, you’ll be surprised and thrilled by how much you have in common with them.