Impacting Lives
Rewriting Narratives &
Rebuilding Communities
Cultivating community at the grassroots level
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Impacting Lives
Rewriting Narratives &
Rebuilding Communities
Cultivating community at the grassroots level
Doing
M
O
R
E
Impacting Lives
Rewriting Narratives &
Rebuilding Communities
Cultivating community at the grassroots level
Home
Our MORE Model
Doing
M
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R
E
Our Founders Stories
Our Founders Stories
ROSS Leaders is a 501 (c)(3) organization that inspires youth by cultivating community through education, mentorship, and cultural identity.
ROSS Leaders is a 501 (c)(3) organization that inspires youth by cultivating community through education, mentorship, and cultural identity.
Jacob Idra is the Founder and Executive Director of Republic of South Sudan (ROSS) Leaders, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing the livelihoods of South Sudanese-American immigrant communities across the United States. His journey reflects the words of the late Pope Francis, who commented that “migrants are not dangerous, but are in danger.” Through his immigrant experience, Jacob and his team founded ROSS Leaders, an organization that focuses on youth development and community enrichment programs in Omaha, Nebraska, and beyond.
Jacob Idra is the Founder and Executive Director of Republic of South Sudan (ROSS) Leaders, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing the livelihoods of South Sudanese-American immigrant communities across the United States. His journey reflects the words of the late Pope Francis, who commented that “migrants are not dangerous, but are in danger.” Through his immigrant experience, Jacob and his team founded ROSS Leaders, an organization that focuses on youth development and community enrichment programs in Omaha, Nebraska, and beyond.
Jacob Idra is the Founder and Executive Director of Republic of South Sudan (ROSS) Leaders, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing the livelihoods of South Sudanese-American immigrant communities across the United States. His journey reflects the words of the late Pope Francis, who commented that “migrants are not dangerous, but are in danger.” Through his immigrant experience, Jacob and his team founded ROSS Leaders, an organization that focuses on youth development and community enrichment programs in Omaha, Nebraska, and beyond.
ROSS Leaders has grown from a grassroots movement to a nationally recognized organization, impacting the lives of underserved youth and shaping the next generation of leaders across diasporic communities in the U.S. Their work bridges education, sports, cultural preservation, and community engagement to ensure every young person feels seen and supported to reach their full potential.
ROSS Leaders has grown from a grassroots movement to a nationally recognized organization, impacting the lives of underserved youth and shaping the next generation of leaders across diasporic communities in the U.S. Their work bridges education, sports, cultural preservation, and community engagement to ensure every young person feels seen and supported to reach their full potential.
ROSS Leaders has grown from a grassroots movement to a nationally recognized organization, impacting the lives of underserved youth and shaping the next generation of leaders across diasporic communities in the U.S. Their work bridges education, sports, cultural preservation, and community engagement to ensure every young person feels seen and supported to reach their full potential.
Jacob Idra
Jacob Idra
Jacob Idra
Founder - ROSS Leaders CEO
Founder - ROSS Leaders CEO
Founder - ROSS Leaders CEO
Majak Wenyin is the Founder of SO Elite Basketball, the athletic development arm of ROSS Leaders. Born in South Sudan and raised in Manchester, New Hampshire, Majak was motivated to help young students earn college scholarships through the game of basketball. Since 2016, SO Elite has helped guide and mentor student-athletes through education, skill development, and collegiate recruitment.
Majak Wenyin is the Founder of SO Elite Basketball, the athletic development arm of ROSS Leaders. Born in South Sudan and raised in Manchester, New Hampshire, Majak was motivated to help young students earn college scholarships through the game of basketball. Since 2016, SO Elite has helped guide and mentor student-athletes through education, skill development, and collegiate recruitment.
Majak Wenyin is the Founder of SO Elite Basketball, the athletic development arm of ROSS Leaders. Born in South Sudan and raised in Manchester, New Hampshire, Majak was motivated to help young students earn college scholarships through the game of basketball. Since 2016, SO Elite has helped guide and mentor student-athletes through education, skill development, and collegiate recruitment.
Guided by Majak's leadership and love for supporting young people, SO Elite is one of the most successful basketball programs in the country, with more than 100 student athletes earning full-ride scholarships to college. Today, ROSS Leaders and SO Elite operate as a unified ecosystem, providing students with a holistic support system that integrates academic guidance and elite athletic development. Together, the organization serves hundreds of student-athletes across the country, supporting long-term success on and off the court.
Guided by Majak's leadership and love for supporting young people, SO Elite is one of the most successful basketball programs in the country, with more than 100 student athletes earning full-ride scholarships to college. Today, ROSS Leaders and SO Elite operate as a unified ecosystem, providing students with a holistic support system that integrates academic guidance and elite athletic development. Together, the organization serves hundreds of student-athletes across the country, supporting long-term success on and off the court.
Guided by Majak's leadership and love for supporting young people, SO Elite is one of the most successful basketball programs in the country, with more than 100 student athletes earning full-ride scholarships to college. Today, ROSS Leaders and SO Elite operate as a unified ecosystem, providing students with a holistic support system that integrates academic guidance and elite athletic development. Together, the organization serves hundreds of student-athletes across the country, supporting long-term success on and off the court.
Majak Wenyin
Majak Wenyin
Majak Wenyin
Founder - SO Elite Director
Founder - SO Elite Director
Founder - SO Elite Director
Our Founder, Jacob Idra, with President Obama and fellow Obama Scholar Leaders
Our Founder, Jacob Idra, with President Obama and fellow Obama Scholar Leaders
Our Founder, Jacob Idra, with President Obama and fellow Obama Scholar Leaders
Majak addressing the community at ROSS Leaders Culture Night
Majak addressing the community at ROSS Leaders Culture Night
Majak addressing the community at ROSS Leaders Culture Night
Inspiring community change alongside Mayor Ewing
Inspiring community change alongside Mayor Ewing
Inspiring community change alongside Mayor Ewing
Since 2018
Since 2018
Since 2018
Number of People Impacted
We value youth empowerment, and take pride in uplifting the families we support, while strengthening community bonds across borders.
Number of ROSS Students in College
High School Graduation Rate
Program Retention Rate
Our Partners & Donors
Our Partners & Donors
Our Partners & Donors
Together, We are Advancing our Community.
We are grateful for the genuine support from our corporate, community, and educational partners who share our commitment to youth development and community building.
Help us Advance Lives.
Invest in a Future Leader Today.
Your gift directly supports our four pillars - Education, Wellness, Culture, and Career Exploration - ensuring every dollar translates into a tangible opportunity for a South Sudanese American youth.
Help us Advance Lives.
Invest in a Future Leader Today.
Your gift directly supports our four pillars - Education, Wellness, Culture, and Career Exploration - ensuring every dollar translates into a tangible opportunity for a South Sudanese American youth.
Help us Advance Lives.
Invest in a Future Leader Today.
Your gift directly supports our four pillars - Education, Wellness, Culture, and Career Exploration - ensuring every dollar translates into a tangible opportunity for a South Sudanese American youth.
Inspiring one student at a time
Inspiring one student at a time
Keeping things FUN
Keeping things FUN
Mentoring the Leaders of tomorrow
Mentoring the Leaders of tomorrow
Recognizing each milestone
Recognizing each milestone
Inspiring one student at a time
Keeping things FUN
Mentoring the Leaders of tomorrow
Recognizing each milestone
BLOG
BLOG
BLOG
Insights, Stories, and the Movement
Insights, Stories, and the Movement
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Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive updates on youth achievements, upcoming community events, partner spotlight features, and opportunities to get involved with ROSS Leaders.
Encouraging young minds to explore, create, and shine
Gently guiding hands to learn, create, and flourish.
Walking together, building ideas and community.
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Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive updates on youth achievements, upcoming community events, partner spotlight features, and opportunities to get involved with ROSS Leaders.