In a world that often demands conformity, Ravi Singh, a Sikh American entrepreneur, author, political pioneer, and technologist, has spent his life proving that success comes not from fitting in, but from standing out fiercely, faithfully, and fearlessly.
Born in 1972 in Aurora, Illinois, to immigrant parents from India, Ravi Singh’s journey is one of unrelenting perseverance. Raised in the Sikh faith, he donned a turban from an early age — not as a cultural accessory, but as a symbol of his identity, devotion, and duty to uphold justice and integrity.
But identity comes with battles. And Singh’s life has been marked by battles — for recognition, for representation, for his right to exist boldly as himself.
Ravi Singh: The First Turban-Wearing U.S. Military Cadet
At just 14, Ravi Singh enrolled in Marmion Military Academy. At the time, the academy did not permit him to wear his turban. Singh was forced to choose: military service or his faith. He chose both. After being expelled for refusing to remove his turban, he and his family rallied. With the help of U.S. Congressman J. Dennis Hastert and Senator Paul Simon, they successfully pushed legislation that would protect religious headdress in military schools. It was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan.
Ravi Singh returned and graduated, becoming the first turban-wearing U.S. military cadet in history. This was not just a personal victory. It was a national precedent for religious freedom in uniform.
From the Frontlines of Politics to Pioneering Technology
After earning a Bachelor of Science from Valparaiso University — where he became the first Sikh-American student body president — and a master’s in Political Science from Northwestern University, Singh stepped into politics. In 1997, at just 25, he ran for Illinois State Representative, becoming the first Asian-American candidate to run in that district.
His bid wasn’t easy. The area was only 2% Asian-American. Many advised him to remove his turban to appeal to voters. But his answer was clear: “If I give up my identity and values, I’ll not be Asian or American. I’ll be nobody.”
Though he lost the election, the experience sparked a vision: Why didn’t smaller political candidates have access to the same tools as big-time campaigns?
ElectionMall and Campaign Cloud: Leveling the Political Playing Field
Ravi Singh founded ElectionMall Technologies in 1999 — a groundbreaking, non-partisan tech company that equipped political candidates with digital tools to campaign smarter. From local school board hopefuls to presidential candidates, Singh’s invention, Campaign Cloud, helped level the playing field.
With the backing of Microsoft, Campaign Cloud became the first cloud-based political campaign software, enabling even grassroots candidates to access world-class technology. Singh’s mission was simple: empower every citizen who wanted to lead, regardless of budget, race, or background.
Under his leadership, ElectionMall expanded across continents, working with political campaigns in Latin America, Europe, and Asia, and helping elect more than 9 heads of state. Singh even served as a tech advisor to Nobel Peace Prize winner Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia and Ireland’s Prime Minister Enda Kenny.
Conviction, Controversy, and Courage
In 2014, Singh’s world was turned upside down when the U.S. Department of Justice charged him in connection with illegal contributions made to a San Diego mayoral campaign on behalf of a foreign national. He was convicted on four felony counts in 2016.
But Ravi Singh didn’t accept defeat. He fought the charges for eight years, during which time one of the felony convictions was overturned. Despite being sentenced to 12 months in federal prison, Ravi Singh remained undeterred in spirit. Even while incarcerated, he fought for and won the right to wear his turban — continuing his lifelong battle to preserve his identity, even behind bars.
“I’ve always wanted to serve my country,” he said, “now I can’t even vote.” His words reflect not despair, but profound dedication to the American ideals he fought for — even when those ideals seemed to forget him.
Scholar, Speaker, and Trailblazer
Ravi Singh is not just a survivor — he is a scholar and a symbol. With master’s degrees from both Northwestern and Liberty University, and a Ph.D. in Social Media and Technology from Ashford University, Singh has furthered his education at Harvard, MIT, and Duke.
He has published widely, spoken globally, and broken barriers in fields from politics to technology. He received the Sikh in Media Award in 2011 and was honored as a Rising Star in American politics, one of the most prestigious titles for emerging political figures.
Faith, Family, and Future
Today, Ravi Singh resides in his hometown of Aurora, Illinois, and remains a respected voice in the Sikh-American community. He continues to champion civil rights, religious liberty, and digital innovation. His life is a testament to grit, grace, and the unshakable power of belief.
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