Inspiring Conversations with Wilfred Gaye of Wilfred Gaye Agency – COUNTRY Financial

Today we’d like to introduce you to Wilfred Gaye

Wilfred, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Surviving and Thriving:
My Journey from a Refugee Camp to an Entrepreneur

By Wilfred Nyonneo Gaye

I was born on March 8, 1995, in Buduburam Refugee Camp in Ghana, where my parents, William Gaye and Winifred Wright, sought refuge from the Liberian Civil War (1989–2003). They left behind a homeland founded by freed African American slaves, deeply influenced by the United States. Liberia’s flag, like the U.S. flag, bears red, white, and blue—but with a single star, symbolizing its unique path to independence.

My family belongs to the Krahn tribe of Grand Gedeh County—known for its warrior spirit and resistance to oppression. When freed African Americans settled in Liberia, they formed a ruling class, marginalizing indigenous groups. This lasted over 130 years until Samuel Doe, a fellow Krahn and Liberia’s first indigenous president, seized power in 1980, triggering tensions that led to a 14-year civil war. The conflict claimed over 250,000 lives and forced many, including my family, to flee.

Growing up in Buduburam was a constant struggle. As refugees in a foreign land, we had no true sense of belonging. Clean water was scarce, and education was a privilege, not a right. Survival demanded resilience—every day was a fight for food, knowledge, and a future.

Leaving Home, Leaving My Father:
At five years old, I was given the chance to go to America. In 2000, my mother, along with some of my aunts and uncles, made the journey to Philadelphia—but my father had to stay behind. I still remember him lifting me onto his shoulders at the airport, his voice steady as he promised, One day, we will meet again.

Coming to the U.S. was a new kind of battle—one of isolation and uncertainty. I was in an unfamiliar world, surrounded by people who didn’t speak my language. Childhood felt like a luxury I couldn’t afford. Not having a place to call home had been my reality since birth, growing up in a refugee camp, and it continued in America. My mother, still young herself, struggled to care for me, and I was constantly moving between family members’ homes, never having a place to truly call my own.

Kansas City & a New Family:
Eventually, my uncle adopted me, and I found myself in Kansas City, MO. It was yet another transition—another new family, another new city, another unfamiliar world. But like the Krahn spirit within me, I learned to persevere.

Adapting was hard. Life in a family that wasn’t truly my own brought unexpected challenges, including physical, emotional, and psychological abuse. It felt like my life mirrored Cinderella’s: working to better myself while those I called family seemed determined to keep me down. And through it all, there was no one to defend me, no one to turn to.

But I knew America was my chance—a chance to better my life and my family’s future. I wasn’t taught the basic life skills needed to succeed, so I had to figure everything out on my own. I stumbled many times and was ridiculed by those who didn’t understand my story. But I did whatever it took. Once again, the warrior spirit within me refused to let me give up, regardless.

Football, Setbacks, and a New Dream:

Sports became my escape. I excelled in football, and by high school, I was on track to play at the college level—with dreams of making it to the NFL. But then, the unthinkable happened.

During my junior year, I tore my ACL—a devastating injury that shattered my hopes of a football career. In that moment, it felt like my way out had been taken from me. Football had been my ticket to a better life, and now that path was closed. Many friends and family turned their backs on me, considering me a lost cause after football was gone. But I made a promise to myself: I would make something of myself, no matter what. I had to rebuild myself, reinvent who I was after football was gone.

By then, I had no support system. My mother was gone, my father was gone, and I had no close family to turn to. But I refused to give up. I worked hard, pushed through the obstacles, and fought for my future.

Education & a New Purpose:
I had no one cheering for me—only myself. If I failed or succeeded, it would be on me and no one else. I wanted so badly to succeed, not to prove those who laughed at me wrong, but to prove to myself that my dreams were valid and that I was worth it. Despite everything, I made it through college, earning my Bachelor of Science degree along with a pre-med diploma from Missouri Western State University. All those late nights studying and early mornings working a full-time job finally paid off.

The Road to Business & Financial Freedom:

After graduation, life took another unexpected turn. I found myself in sales, and it didn’t take long to realize that helping people was my true passion. That passion sparked a new mission: to become a business owner.

The journey was far from easy. There was a time during COVID when I was homeless. I couldn’t find work, and I ended up staying at a homeless shelter for a short time. One night, as I lay in the bunk bed at the shelter, I cried to God and asked, Why do I deserve this? Please help me out of this situation. And He answered.

I told myself, this will not be how my story ends. I built strength one day, cut my own hair, and went out looking for work. I was determined, and that same day, I found a job as a security supervisor. I couldn’t believe it!

It wasn’t the highest-paying job, nor the most rewarding, but I was proud of myself for fighting for my future. Being homeless taught me never to look down on anyone, because I understand how people judge without knowing the full story. I’m sure many assumed I was on drugs, but I had just fallen on hard times and didn’t have anyone to turn to. I’m grateful for my strength to get out of that situation, because I know some people never get that chance.

Facing Adversity in the Business World:
Looking back, I now realize that every struggle I faced was preparing me for this moment. There were times when I had to rob Peter to pay Paul, struggling financially without anyone to rely on—just a young African man, alone in a world far from home. Many doubted me, expecting me to fail. But I knew I was destined for more.

Like many Black people, I faced racism and prejudice in the corporate world. I watched as less qualified candidates were given opportunities I had rightfully earned, while I was often underpaid and undervalued. For the first time, I truly understood what it meant to be a person of color in America.

Through unwavering effort and determination, I earned the opportunity I had worked so hard for—I became an agency owner. But with this accomplishment came new challenges. I found myself in a predominantly white, male-dominated space, where coming from Africa and being self-taught made many doubt my ability to succeed. I was surrounded by people who couldn’t relate to me, who came from backgrounds far more privileged than mine. I became the subject of jokes, looked down on as less than because of my past. It often felt like I was an outcast, still searching for a place to call my own.

I didn’t have the resources they had, nor the proper education or family support. My counterparts made it clear through exclusion and disrespect. I felt isolated, struggling to understand why—until I realized that I was different. Not just because of my past, but because I was born to make a change—showing others that, regardless of their background, with hard work and determination, they too can make their dreams a reality.

The obstacles I faced while building my business would have made many retreat, but I couldn’t. Given everything I had already overcome, I was too far into this journey to give up now.

Proud of the Journey, Excited for the Future:

Today, I stand strong—a proud Liberian from Buduburam Refugee Camp, a place where hope was scarce and the future uncertain. I was a kid that no one believed in, and it would have been easy to give up. But I didn’t.

Here I am—an entrepreneur in America, defying the odds.

Through every hardship, my warrior spirit refused to be extinguished by circumstance, opposition, or doubt. No matter how many times life tried to bury me, I kept rising. I remembered that little boy from the refugee camp, who had nothing but his imagination. Fifteen-year-old Wilfred, who believed that despite his circumstances, he could still make something of himself. And the grown-up version of me proved it to be true.
My story is not just mine. It’s meant to inspire others who feel like they’re at their breaking point.

I share my story, not just to reflect on my journey, but to show anyone struggling that no matter how difficult life gets, you are not powerless. You have everything inside you to rise and shape your future

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it has not been a smooth road. I faced many challenges, starting with growing up in a refugee camp and later moving to America, where I struggled with instability and a lack of resources. Along the way, I dealt with discrimination and isolation, having to figure things out on my own.

The most significant challenge came when I was homeless during the COVID pandemic. It wasn’t easy, but it taught me resilience and how to keep fighting for my future, even when it seemed impossible.

Despite all the setbacks, I’ve never given up. Every struggle has shaped me into who I am today.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Wilfred Gaye Agency – COUNTRY Financial?
As an agency owner with COUNTRY Financial, I specialize in providing personalized insurance and financial services, including life insurance, home and auto coverage, and retirement planning.

What sets me apart is my commitment to understanding each client’s unique needs and offering tailored solutions that protect what matters most.

I’m proud of how my agency serves the local community, empowering clients with the knowledge to make informed financial decisions. At COUNTRY Financial, we focus on building trust, offering transparency, and being a reliable partner every step of the way.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice for those starting out is to trust yourself. There will be challenges, and you may not always have the answers, but believe in your ability to figure things out. Success takes time and persistence, so don’t rush the process. Surround yourself with support, but ultimately, trust your instincts and keep moving forward, knowing you’re capable of achieving your goals.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://agents.countryfinancial.com/usa/ks/lawrence/wilfred-gaye
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