James M AyuenJames Manyok Ayuen, born in the Bor region of South Sudan, fled civil war at age five and later became one of the 3,800 "Lost Boys and Girls" resettled in the United States. After learning English and completing high school, he pursued higher educatin with the goal of one day helping his homeland. He earned degrees from La Salle University and Brigham Young University, along with completing a policy fellowship at Carnegie Mellon University.James has become a dedicated advocate for the South Sudanese people, speaking at the United Nations and helping mobilize U.S. support for South Sudan's independence. He has also worked with the South Sudanese government and the World Bank to promote economic and political stability.In 2020, he founded African Independence Development (AID), a nonprofit focused on building self-sustaining schools and supporting educational, agricultural, and health initiatives in underserved African communities. He also works to preserve South Sudanese culture through children's books and serves as president of The Greater Bor Community of the United States. Read More Read Less