Mark Akpaninyie I Eyes on Asia Series

Jonathan Quarles | Global Entrepreneur

Jonathan Quarles is a global entrepreneur and angel investor from Flint, Michigan. The author of the new book "Making Dollars while Making Change," Jonathan started his journey toward global citizenship as a scholarship student at FAMU. After studying abroad in South Africa, Jonathan was able to secure spots in government-funded international exchange programs that allowed him to see the world and gain critical cultural competency and public diplomacy skills. He is the founder of the BTL Group and a board member of Global Ties U.S.

Avonda and Mycal I Eyes on Asia Series

Avonda Fogan and Mycal Ford met in Washington, D.C., as recent graduates who had shared experiences studying abroad in Asia. Now as members of the executive team for the Black China Caucus, the two Mandarin speakers, who both have a wealth of regional experience, are on a mission to increase representation of Black professionals in Asian affairs and to elevate the voices of the Caucus’ global membership network. In this episode of The HayesXChange podcast, Avonda and Mycal talk about how, despite their humble beginnings, they amassed multiple study abroad opportunities, scholarships, and national fellowships like the Boren, the Critical Language Scholarship, and the Fulbright.

Earl Carr I Eyes on Asia Series

Earl Carr is a man who believes in seizing every opportunity.  From learning Mandarin and Japanese as a college student to facilitating opportunities for U.S. students to experience Asia, Earl has a passion for giving back while sharing his own personal and unique background.  He received his undergraduate degree from The College of William & Mary and studied abroad in China, Taiwan, and Japan before obtaining his Master’s degree in International Affairs from American University.  Outside of work, Mr. Carr is involved in the National Committee on United States-China Relations (NCUSCR).

Vannary Kong I Eyes on Asia Series

Vannary Kong grew up in Indiana as the daughter of a Cambodian mother and an African American father.   After securing internships in international and multilateral organizations, Vannary became a United States Youth Delegate to the G-20 Summit in Tokyo, Japan.  She is a research fellow at the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace and the founder of the US-ASEAN Youth Council, an organization that seeks to develop the pipeline for diverse students to gain internships and experience in the Asia-Pacific.

Mark Akpaninyie I Eyes on Asia Series

Mark Akpaninyie is not going to miss a good thing twice. After opting out of a study abroad trip to Madrid his junior year at Duke, he soon realized that he had missed out on an opportunity of a lifetime. The son of Nigerian immigrants, admiration for his parents work ethic and sacrifices propelled Mark toward campus leadership and community service. After graduation, he spent two years as a Teach for China Fellow in a rural tobacco village in the Yunnan province, where he learned the capacity for human adaptability in the face of a totally foreign environment. Mark is the co-founder of the Black China Caucus and an Asia Policy Analyst on Capitol Hill.