Founder Biography

Jimmy Sherlock

Jimmy Sherlock’s journey to Kenya began with a calling he could no longer ignore—a quiet but persistent pull toward a life of service. In 2012, that calling became impossible to overlook. He made the extraordinary decision to walk away from the comfort, privilege, and financial security he had built over the course of decades. His then-wife did not share his desire to dedicate his life to humanitarian work, and with a clarity of purpose that few ever experience, Jimmy chose to leave his entire fortune to her and begin again in Kenya with nothing but conviction.

He arrived with no safety net, no guarantee, and no plan other than to lend a hand. Since then, Jimmy has lived simply, often stretching his social security check to support others more than himself. Friends and former colleagues have stepped in over the years with donations, but much of the work has been fueled by his own sacrifice. Whether he is walking through the community or traveling between villages, he stops—every single time—when he encounters someone in need. If he can help, he does. If he has something to give, he gives it. His life has become a living expression of compassion.

From this place of humility and service, the Reborn Foundation was born. Today, it has provided full educational sponsorship for hundreds of children from underprivileged communities. Dozens more have continued to higher education, and a large majority have already become professionals and entrepreneurs—young adults who are now shaping their own futures with confidence and hope.

The foundation’s daily feeding program provides nourishing meals for children who might otherwise go hungry, strengthening their health and improving their ability to learn. Through Reborn International, Jimmy has helped build computer labs in schools across Kenya and Haiti, providing students with access to technology that opens doors to new opportunities. His outreach work extends even further—supporting orphanages, clinics, hospitals, schools, and microfinance programs in communities facing profound hardship.

Jimmy’s mission has always been about dignity as much as it is about survival. He believes in solutions that empower people to stand on their own, rather than relying on systems that keep them dependent. Guided by that vision, he is currently working with local leaders to develop sustainable, chemical-free farming solutions by providing organic soil to small agricultural communities. This initiative aims to help farmers grow nutrient-rich crops without the corporate conditions, toxins, or damaging additives that often accompany external aid. The goal is simple but transformative: to restore self-sufficiency, health, and sovereignty to the people who grow their own food.

Before dedicating his life to service, Jimmy spent over three decades as a pioneering entrepreneur. He founded Aegis Ryan Group in 1980, building it into the largest auto insurance brokerage in the United States. In 1982, he introduced the now-standard “GAP” product to the automotive industry. He later co-founded One-Command, recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the 500 fastest-growing companies in America. He also founded Galactic Technologies, whose product EnviroSeal helped set the world record for the fastest street car in a standing mile.

Yet, despite all he built in his earlier life, Jimmy often says his true success came afterward—when he walked away from everything and began again with nothing but a desire to serve. Every program he has created, every child he has supported, every person he has stopped to help in the street is proof of a simple truth: one life lived with courage and compassion can change thousands more.

Jimmy Sherlock continues to live that truth every day. His work, his humility, and his unwavering belief in the power of humanity continue to inspire everyone who crosses his path.

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