Michael Thompson Showunmi has more than five years of teaching experience. Michael is founder of Raising Star Africa Foundation in Lagos, Nigeria, which focuses on helping children with disabilities become self-reliant. He has renovated three inclusive schools and helped more than 3,500 children with disabilities get access to a quality education and skill empowerment. Michael holds a bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering and is pursuing his master's degree in Education. As a person with a disability, Michael is committed to ensuring that persons with disabilities are independent and contribute to the gross domestic product of Nigeria. After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Michael plans to build a TVET (technical and vocational education and training) and skill empowerment center and to empower persons with disabilities with digital and lifelong skills to reduce poverty and contribute their quota to Africa.