Gardner Robinson, CEO
Gardner Robinson was born and raised in Toledo Ohio where he attended Jesup W. Scott High School. He participated in many different sports, but excelled in football, and as a result, lettered all four years in varsity football and was an All-City cornerback his senior year. Upon graduating, Gardner went on to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps, and graduated Series Honor Man of his platoon. After four years of Esprit de Corps, duty in three countries, two territories and a short stint on the USS Saipan. Gardner received an Honorable Discharge from the Marine Corps.
Gardner moved to New York shortly after leaving the Marine Corps and joined the New York City Department of Corrections. There, he served as a corrections officer for 20 years. The last 10 years of his career was with the Emergency Service Unit as a first responder. Gardner is currently employed as a contractor with Homeland Security.
Gardner has been involved with a number of mentoring programs, community outreach programs and part of the PTA football program at Fort Hamilton High School. In 2009 Gardner became a certified open water diver, then an Instructor with the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), Scuba Diving International (SDI) and the Handicapped Scuba Association (HSA). He is also a CPR AED adult First Aid and Emergency Oxygen Instructor.
His hobbies include, of course, scuba diving, all other sports, and roller skating.
His motto is “Remember; Always be stronger than your excuse and if you get tired, learn to REST not QUIT.
Every time the lottery would be in the high millions I would say, if I win, I would enlarge my high school. Enhance the academic programs by implementing apprenticeships, technical programs and enlarge the athletic department. One thing for sure, the entire school would be wheel chair accessible and a ROTC program would be put in place.
Always wanting to give back other than the walks, Saint Jude and the events my Lodge sponsored, which is great. I myself wanted to do something, after some thought on what gift I could give that would last forever. I knew that I enjoyed diving and once certified, you are certified for life. All I had to do was, give them a reason why they should learn to dive.
After figuring out what I was going to do, the next question was who should I help. One of my friends suggested to adopt a school. Just as I was about to adopt a school, the dream for my high school came to mind. So, my focus was on the vision I imagined for my high school if I would win the lottery.
ROTC, wheel chair accessible and students. Y DIVE was born, the first name I came up with was Youth Develop Imagination Vision Empowerment. Since the participants would be more than youth the Y was changed to You. You, being all participants, ROTC being veterans and wheel chair accessible being special needs people. November 25, 2020 Y DIVE Inc. was launched and here we are today.
Reverend Andrew W. Ford III, Strategic Planner
A native of New York, Andrew W. Ford III is the father of two young men and retired New York City Correction Officer. With more than 20 years of experience in law enforcement, Ford has also served as a Delegate for the Correction Officers Benevolent Association.
In all his experience, nothing quite describes Ford’s leadership of the Lower East Side community, where he has been a staunch advocate for the youth in the community for more than 35 years. A lifetime resident of the Lower East Side, he continues serving the community in numerous capacities.
Ford’s community involvement has included being a youth counselor for Boys Brotherhood Republic & Henry Street Settlement, junior counselor trainer and summer camp program director for Camp Wabenaki, Little League Baseball coach and manager for Our Lady of Sorrow and serving on the board for Boys Brotherhood Republic and Camp Wabenaki. In addition, Ford is the co-founder and director of the Mustangs Travel Baseball and Boyz 4 Life L.E.S.
Committed to his service to God, Ford serves as deacon at Gethsemane Garden Baptist Church
Isaac “Ike” James, Treasurer
Isaac “Ike” James is a father, entrepreneur, community servant, organizational leader and Army veteran. Raised in Harlem by caring parents who made sure he achieved academic success, the Harlem community helped him develop leadership, entrepreneurial, marketing and consultative acumen over three decade. Amazingly, James started his first business, a candy store, at the age of twelve!
A true son of Harlem, James learned and thrived in programs like Countee Cullen Center with Mr. Chick and Jackie Bradley, Minisink, Tapawingo Honor Society, and the Order of the Feather Fraternity. Each gave him the opportunity to find and foster numerous relationships and instilled in him the importance of youth development through challenging experiences, mentoring, service and giving back to the community.
Isaac served with the historic 369th Harlem Hell fighters 719th TC for 10 years and currently serves his country as a Non Commissioned Officer in the Army Reserve with the 430th ICTC in Baltimore, MD. As the President of the Harlem Chapter Order of the Feather Bonnet Lodge, “Ike” is helping the next generation of leaders develop their skills and apply them to serving the Harlem community.
A leader on his own right, James is a Past Master of Lewis Hayden Lodge No. 69 (Prince Hall Freemasonry), and a Noble of Medina Temple #19 Prince Hall Shriners.
Isaac holds a degree in networking technology and is currently pursuing his master’s in emergency management and cybersecurity.
Renée Holtz, Marketing Director
Born and raised in the Maryland/DC area, Renee earned her bachelor’s degree in art and multimedia design from the University of Maryland in College Park. A few years after college, she opened Refined Concepts, a boutique branding and visual communications firm, furthering her passion for helping small businesses, organizations and individuals express themselves and solidify their brand. Known for her cutting-edge creativity and ability to give life to clients’ ideas, she has changed the lives of hundreds of entrepreneurs. When not designing, she continues to create through various mediums including film, theatre, music, and visual art. She is a mother of two boys and a Certified Open Water Scuba Diver.
Ronny P. Simon, Advisor
Ronny P. Simon is retired after 20 years with the New York City Department of Corrections at Warden Level I. At present, he is working under contract with Homeland Security.
Ronny mentored young men in the first all-boys public high school in New York City, the Eagle Academy, in partnership with One Hundred Black Men, Inc. He serves as Vice-President on the board of the Thomas White, Jr. Foundation (TWF). TWF is a 501 (c) 3 charitable organization that provides outreach addressing community and social issues. TWF’s focus areas are health and wellness, economic community empowerment, educational opportunities and youth/adult engagement, and Second chances.
Ronny is a graduate of Baruch College, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing/Advertising. After graduation from college, Ronny engaged in several entrepreneurial businesses. He was President & CEO of Always Available Limousine Service for an extended period.
Ronny is a member of the Antioch Baptist Church of Hempstead, LI, where he served on several committees. He is a resident of Westbury, Long Island, where he lives with his wife, Vanda. He is the father of one daughter, Chesha Simon-Richardson, and has one grandson, Chance.