Meet Moses Ilunga: A Bismarck Resident Who Found a Home in North Dakota

Bismarck-Mandan is experiencing a surge in new residents, with more people than ever choosing to call this vibrant metropolitan area home. To help newcomers settle in, Janel Schmitz, first lady of Bismarck, launched a welcome initiative to foster community connections. Among those who have found their place here is Moses Ilunga, a resident whose journey to North Dakota is as inspiring as his plans for the future.

“There’s something about North Dakota that grows on you,” Moses shares. “It feels like home now.”

Read more about Ilunga and how he plans to Make His Mark in the coming years. 

From Atlanta to Bismarck: A Journey of Discovery

Moses Ilunga’s story begins in Atlanta, Georgia, a bustling city of over six million people. When his family relocated to North Dakota in 2012, Moses was finishing high school and faced a significant culture shock.

“I was like… what is this place?” he recalls. “When you’re in your early twenties, you want to get out and explore.”

Over the next decade, Moses’s path took him from Atlanta to the University of Washington, then to the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, and even to Utah for a year. Yet, Bismarck always drew him back, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. As he grew older, he appreciated the region’s safety, close-knit community, and friendly faces.

“The older I get, the more I appreciate how safe Bismarck is,” Moses says. “I like how there’s no traffic, the people are friendly, and everyone looks out for each other.”

Turning Setbacks Into Opportunities: A Passion for Cybersecurity

Moses’s career journey has been anything but ordinary. After launching a successful media company in Bismarck, he faced a devastating setback when hackers compromised his business, forcing him to close its doors. Rather than giving up, Moses turned this experience into motivation.

In 2025, he returned to school, enrolling in the cybersecurity program at Bismarck State College. Now, he’s determined to use his skills to protect others from the kinds of cyber threats he once faced.

“I don’t see myself moving out of North Dakota,” he says. “I’d love to find a cybersecurity job with the state or a private company. Eventually, I want to start my own cybersecurity firm or tech-based business focusing on cybersecurity.”

With his drive and entrepreneurial spirit, Moses is poised to help keep North Dakota’s digital landscape secure—and perhaps one day, create new opportunities for others in the state.

Building Roots and Looking Ahead

For Moses and his family, North Dakota has become home. His mother has built a strong network of friends and participates in local activities, while the memory of his late father, who is buried in Bismarck, ties them deeply to the area.

Moses also sees room for growth in Bismarck, especially when it comes to diversity and innovation.

“North Dakota is a great place to build something from scratch,” he says. “There’s so much opportunity to create something or start a family.”

Anyone who wants to reach out to Moses can contact him at ilungam@protonmail.com.  

Get to Know Other Residents Who Are Making Their Mark

Moses Ilunga has found a home in Bismarck and plans to Make His Mark in the field of cybersecurity. Meet some of your other neighbors who also love living here. Maggie Newhouse helps future residents find their homes in Bismarck-Mandan, while Shannon Dickson cares for animals from across the world at the Dakota Zoo.  

There are endless ways to Make Your Mark in North Dakota. Find your community and thrive in Bismarck-Mandan!