What We Do

O.L.L.I.E. provides before and after-school mentoring sessions through its "Striving for Excellence" program. This program matches young boys with college-age mentors who help prepare them for adulthood. The "O.L.L.I.E. Suspension Program" aims to support parents who cannot take time off work when their child is suspended from school. Instead of being left unsupervised at home, students can participate in service learning activities during their out-of-school suspension. The program discourages disruptive behavior by providing mentorship opportunities with community members such as coaches, pastors, and entrepreneurs.

We also organize "Environmental Clean Up Days" monthly in different locations throughout Middle Tennessee. Churches, schools, businesses, and other nonprofits apply to be selected for the initiative. Students keep a journal of the before-and-after transformation of the chosen site, and full participation is rewarded with incentive points.

About OllieLife

Who We Are

O.L.L.I.E. (Only Living Life In Excellence) OLLIE is an organization that provides professional development programs throughout the summer and school year for boys aged 12-18 years old who are transitioning from middle to high school to instill excellence.

Our Vision

OLLIE is an enrichment program in Nashville that offers a variety of activities to students from diverse backgrounds. The program aims to promote and enhance social skills such as personal habits, social grace, critical thinking, logic, reasoning, interpersonal communication, and time management from an early age.

Our Mission

Our mission is to empower young men of today and tomorrow with a positive and elevated lifestyle that lays a strong foundation for their future.

Our Staff

Ty Garth

TyJuan Garth was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and later moved to Millington, TN, where he completed his high school education. He pursued higher education at Fisk University, where he earned a B.A. in Education. Ty established OLLIE with the aim of improving his community and positively impacting the lives of everyone he meets. He is a proud father to his son Caleb and continues to work towards enriching the lives of young people in Nashville and surrounding areas. tygarth@ollielifestyle.com

Dred Yehudah

Dred was born and raised in New Jersey. In 2001, he moved to Nashville, TN to attend Fisk University, where he graduated with departmental honors with a B.S. in Sociology. Dred has always been passionate about the development of young people and desires to see his community thrive by avoiding the mistakes he has made. He is a proud father of three extraordinary boys. dredyehudah@ollielifestyle.com

Derron Ragland

I grew up in Millington, TN, where I learned to overcome adversity and strive for greatness. My mother taught me and my brother to work hard and put our best foot forward. Basketball kept me away from the crime and violence in my neighborhood. I played in college and pledged Alpha Phi Alpha, but my mother passed away soon after. I raised my little brother and found my career in banking, construction and distribution. Now I manage in banking and am married to a wonderful woman who is also in banking and serves as a minister, motivational speaker, and president of NAWBO. We have three boys, and I am a deacon at my church, leading our men's ministry.