Stars Ablaze logoStars Ablaze
ABOUT STARS ABLAZE LLC

Empowering Minds. Uplifting Communities. Shaping the Future.

Stars Ablaze LLC is a Liberian-rooted organization founded in 2013, working across education, FutureTech, workforce development, institutional capacity and community transformation. Our flagship initiative is the Stars Ablaze FutureTech Academy — Learn. Build. Lead.

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OUR STORY

A parent organization, not simply a school

Stars Ablaze LLC was founded in 2013 by James K. Jargba around a single conviction: Liberia's future depends on learners, educators and institutions that are equipped to participate in a technology-driven global economy.

2013

Founded

Established as a mission-driven organization focused on education and human capacity rather than a single campus.

Leadership

James K. Jargba, Founder & CEO

A U.S. Marine Corps veteran and project-management executive translating national development goals into working systems.

Flagship

FutureTech Academy

Our flagship initiative — where academics, technology, entrepreneurship and leadership meet. Learn. Build. Lead.

PURPOSE

Mission, Vision & Values

Mission

To equip learners, educators and communities with the knowledge, skills, tools and opportunities needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world—combining excellent education with responsible technology, entrepreneurship, leadership and workforce development.

Vision

A future in which every learner can succeed, every educator can lead with confidence, and every community can participate meaningfully in a technology-driven global economy.

Core values

  • Human Potential

    We start with people and build everything around their capacity to grow.

  • Integrity

    We do what we said we would do, and we document it honestly.

  • Excellence

    We hold high standards in teaching, delivery and stewardship.

  • Innovation with Purpose

    Technology is a tool for real outcomes, never a showpiece.

  • Inclusion

    Access across gender, geography, ability and economic background.

  • Partnership

    Durable results come from shared ownership, not solo effort.

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Experienced People. Shared Purpose.

Vision sets the direction. Systems create consistency. People deliver the impact.

  • James K. Jargba

    Founder & Chief Executive Officer

    Sets the vision, leads strategy, builds partnerships, mobilizes resources and ensures organizational accountability.

  • Mortimer Lawrence

    Director of Development, Partnerships & Fundraising

    Builds strategic relationships and secures grants, sponsorships, donations, equipment and other resources.

  • Anita C. Smith, MSW, LSW

    Director of Operations

    Coordinates daily operations, administration, logistics, facilities and organizational systems.

  • Mustapha E. Sherman

    Chief Financial Officer

    Leads budgeting, reporting, financial controls, cash management, compliance, audits and stewardship.

  • Eldred Kyne

    Director of Technology & Innovation

    Leads FutureTech, digital learning, technology systems, cybersecurity, technical training and innovation partnerships.

  • Rev. Dr. Denise Parker Lawrence

    Human Resources Director

    Leads recruitment, onboarding, employee records, performance, development, culture and fair personnel practices.

WHAT WE DO

Six pillars of work

These pillars describe what the organization delivers today. Academy facilities, campus expansion and residential programs are planned future phases and are clearly marked as such.

  • FutureTech Academy

    Flagship initiative

    Our flagship initiative — a learning environment pairing strong academics with coding, robotics, AI literacy and entrepreneurship.

  • Teacher & Leader Development

    Current capability

    Training, coaching and instructional leadership support so educators can teach with confidence and consistency.

  • Workforce Development

    Current capability

    Practical, employer-aligned skills pathways that connect young people and adults to real economic opportunity.

  • AI & Digital Literacy

    Current capability

    Responsible, hands-on digital fluency for learners, teachers, institutions and community members.

  • Institutional Capacity

    Current capability

    Operating systems, governance, finance discipline and performance management for schools and organizations.

  • Community Engagement

    Current capability

    Partnerships with families, faith institutions, government, diaspora and local businesses to widen participation.

Current capability vs. planned facilities

Today Stars Ablaze delivers training, program design, technology enablement, institutional support and community programming. The FutureTech Academy campus, laboratories, dormitory and expanded facility footprint are planned future phases being developed with partners and funders — they are commitments in progress, not claims of existing infrastructure.

GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY

Stewardship you can verify

Every dollar, partnership and program carries a reporting obligation. Our finance and operations leadership build the controls that make that possible.

Financial controls

Budgeting, forecasting, cash management, internal controls and audit readiness led by the CFO.

Operational discipline

Documented processes, defined roles, performance systems and compliance tracking across programs.

Transparent reporting

Partners and donors receive progress, outcome and resource-use reporting on agreed cycles.

Ethical people practices

Fair recruitment, clear personnel records, professional development and a caring workplace culture.

WHY STARS ABLAZE

Ambition matched with execution

Vision with an operating plan

We pair ambition with budgets, milestones and accountable owners.

Governance you can inspect

Financial controls, audit readiness and transparent reporting are built in, not bolted on.

Technology used responsibly

AI and digital tools serve learning outcomes and workforce readiness first.

Liberian-rooted, globally connected

Local ownership with international standards, partners and experience.

Build the future with us

Partner, sponsor, volunteer or enroll — every contribution strengthens learners, educators and communities.

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