Tolbert was born and raised in a tough socio-economic environment by peasant parents in the district of Arua, Uganda. 

As a child he dreamt of becoming a Humanitarian/Social worker, helping the most vulnerable and the needy.

However, conflict and civil wars forced the family to live in refugee camps in the neighboring country where he spent most of his early childhood.

Opportunities for early and university/college education seemed out of reach. Incidentally and by way of luck and opportunity,

Tolbert got introduced to the sport of tennis on a missionary-owned tennis court that eventually opened doors of an opportunity for him to learn and play tennis competitively.

With discipline, focus, competition, and hard work more opportunities opened for him, and he eventually made his way through tennis to study in the U.S leading him to Elite Ivy league Universities, a career at the UN Headquarters in New York, long professional tennis career and eventually, a US citizenship, among others.

Tolbert is now dedicated to helping, supporting, and encouraging other motivated, hardworking student athletes from low in-come communities with less opportunities to follow a similar pathway.