About Us

The James B. Lumei Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 2024 by Kua Lumei-Smith to honor the life and legacy of her father- Mr. James B. Lumei- a devoted mentor and unwavering advocate for children’s education in Liberia.

Rooted in the values of service, justice, and restoration, the foundation is led by a mission-driven team with deep ties to both the United States and Liberia, West Africa. Together, we serve families and communities that too often go unseen and underserved.

At the James B. Lumei Foundation, we believe that healthcare and education are not privileges- they are human rights.

By advancing both, we create lasting pathways to dignity, self-sufficiency, and hope.

  • We exist to break the cycle of poverty by rescuing, rehabilitating, and empowering at-risk children, especially young girls, in underserved communities. Through safe housing, education, healthcare, mentorship, and local partnerships, we create sustainable pathways to recovery, self-sufficiency, and hope.

    We focus on two core impact areas that transform lives:

    Health Equity

    We champion community health through:

    • Early detection and access to basic, life-saving care—especially in rural and remote areas

    • Partnerships with grassroots clinics and outreach programs

    • Awareness campaigns and education on preventable diseases

    Educational Equity

    We invest in underserved youth by:

    • Providing scholarships for primary and secondary school students

    • Offering mentorship and academic guidance

    • Supporting school infrastructure projects to create safe, inclusive learning environments

  • A future where…

    Every child, regardless of birthplace or circumstance, has access to quality education, basic healthcare, and the opportunity to thrive.

    Dignity is restored, potential is unlocked, and no child is left to survive alone on the margins.

  • Kua Lumei-Smith, MSc., PMP

    Founder & Executive Director
    Wife. Mother. Mentor. Serial Encourager.

    Kua Lumei-Smith is a first-generation Liberian-American, a caregiver, proud wife, and mother of two, who brings more than 20 years of executive leadership in biopharmaceutical strategy, alliance management, and operational transformation.

    As an executive at AstraZeneca, she led high-impact global programs, managed over $9 billion in strategic investments, and negotiated complex, multi-billion-dollar partnerships in oncology and beyond. She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), widely respected for her ability to lead with both rigor and heart- anchored in empathy, humility, and an unwavering belief in people.

    But Kua is not just a strategist- she’s a serial encourager, a woman of faith, and an unapologetic champion of all things female. She leads with intention, uplifts those around her, and builds community wherever she goes- from the boardroom to the block.

    Her passion for health equity and community advocacy is deeply personal. She has volunteered with the American Cancer Society and raised funds for Zero Prostate Cancer in memory of the fathers, uncles, grandfathers, and friends whose lives were cut short far too soon.

    “2024 has been a year of highs and lows that have left me feeling excited and hopeless at the same time. While there are many things that remain out of our control, the fight against cancer is one we can all rally behind.” – Kua

    Whether she’s organizing a photo shoot for her sister circle, planning an 80 person family vacation, cheering on her daughter’s poetry at the Gaithersburg Book Festival, or championing small businesses like Ayoka Essentials, Kua embodies joy, service, and purpose in everything she touches.

    Her greatest inspiration remains her late father, James B. Lumei, whose legacy of love, education, and quiet impact lives on through the foundation that bears his name.

    For Kua, this work is not charity. It is legacy work. It is heart work in more ways than one.

    And it is a promise fulfilled- to the communities that raised her and the daughters still waiting for someone to believe in them.

  • At the James B. Lumei Foundation, we are a mission-driven team of strategists, advocates, and community builders working across the U.S. and Liberia. We bring lived experience, professional expertise, and a shared commitment to equity, justice, and generational change.

    Kua Lumei-Smith, PMP- Founder & Executive Director
    A seasoned biopharma executive, certified PMP, and caregiver, Kua leads with empathy, excellence, and purpose. She brings 20+ years of experience in global portfolio strategy, alliance governance, and transformation leadership. Her work is guided by a deep belief in legacy, justice, and possibility for every child.

    Anthony Smith- Executive Director, Financial Transparency & Reporting
    Anthony oversees budgeting, compliance, and donor stewardship, ensuring every dollar is tracked and maximized for community impact. With a background in nonprofit finance and governance, he helps ensure JBLF operates with accountability and integrity.

    Spencer Taylor- Regional Liaison, Liberia
    Based in Monrovia, Spencer leads logistics, field documentation, and on-the-ground coordination for infrastructure projects, hygiene kit distribution, and local stakeholder engagement. His deep local knowledge and trusted community relationships help bridge strategy and execution.

    Jason Johnson- Media, Communications & Design Director
    Jason manages the foundation’s visual identity, storytelling, and brand communications. He blends strategy with creativity to produce powerful campaigns and compelling narratives that connect donors, partners, and community members to our mission.

    OPEN OPPORTUNITIES

    We are growing—and we’d love to work with purpose-driven individuals who share our commitment to youth empowerment, education, and health equity.

    Current volunteer or contract roles:

    Communications & Grant Writer

    Program Assistant (Liberia-based)

    Social Media Intern

    Education Program Officer

    Join Our Team: VOLUNTEER@jblfoundation.org