Thomas A. Manglona II
2024-2025 Obama Foundation Asia-Pacific Leader
Chief Regional Correspondent, KUAM News
Northern Mariana Islands
Thomas A. Manglona II is the chief regional correspondent at KUAM News. From the island of Rota, Thomas is a native Chamorro multimedia journalist covering government, environment, and social justice issues for the TV station. He also teaches media, democracy, and current events at the Northern Marianas College. He is a member of the Indigenous Journalists Association and Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA). At AAJA, he founded the Pacific Islander Journalism Task Force to advocate for journalists and coverage across Oceania. Believing his work builds on a lineage of storytellers, Thomas is passionate about representation in media and hopes to uplift and amplify the next generation of Indigenous storytellers and narratives.
Meet the 2024-2025 Asia-Pacific Leaders
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Leaders
For emerging leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing the common good.
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- The Center
- Building the Center
Join other Obama alumni in coming together to support the naming of the Water Garden at the Obama Presidential Center in honor of the life and legacy of President Obama’s mother, Ann Dunham—as a gift for the President’s 61st birthday.
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- Defending Democracy
- Leaders
- Watch
- Barack Obama
Watch President Obama share his vision for the Obama Presidential Center during a surprise visit with supporters and stakeholders—a vision for a public space that will honor history, help revitalize the South Side, and connect people throughout the communi
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