Emmanuel Jal

Background

About Emmanuel Jal

I am an award winning recording artist and story teller. I use my experiences for social emotional learning through the arts, business and philanthropy. I have released 6 studio albums and my latest collaboration NAATH with my sister Nyaruach was nominated for WORLD MUSIC ALBUM of the year at the Canadian Junos. I run my own wellness course through 'My Life is Art' program - a philosophy I created which helped me overcome trauma and build success. We help leaders own their minds, find their purpose and increase their mental power through a range of daily practices. I draw on my personal experiences and background, and have spoken at TED GLobal, addressed the UN, US Congress, the Carter Centre and the very highest level of many governments. In 2008 a full-length documentary on my life was released. The film, Warchild, won 12 prestigious film festival awards worldwide. In the same year my autobiography, also called Warchild, was published by Little Brown. I have co-starred with Reese Witherspoon in the Warner Brothers motion picture, The Good Lie which tells the story about the journey of four young Sudanese refugees (based on The Lost Boys of Sudan) who win a lottery for relocation to the United States. The film made its debut to rave reviews at the Toronto International Film Festival before being released in October 2014. I have also appeared as the adult lead in the major motion picture Africa United; a Pathé, UK Film Council and BBC Films presentation in association with Warner Bros, released in October 2010. During my career, I have been involved with numerous global charity organisations, including the British Council, World Food Programme, World Vision, the Child Soldiers Initiative, Amnesty International and Oxfam. I have spoken alongside major players in the world of global humanitarianism, including Kofi Annan, Ban Ki-Moon and The Elders Group. I have also been invited numerous times to speak at Richard Branson’s private conferences on Necker Island on global leadership and philanthropy. I have received numerous awards for his peace efforts in South Sudan including recognition from Ban Ki Moon at the UN. I have also created my own instant powder super food Jal Gua which contains a blend of two staple African ingredients: Organic Sorghum and Organic Moringa. It is distributed in WholeFoods Canada and many health food stores across Ontario. One of my biggest passions is the charity I founded Gua Africa which provides education to those affected by war and conflict in East Africa.