Our Staff

Ty Garth

TyJuan Garth was born in Louisville, Kentucky and moved to Millington, TN where he graduated from high school. He attended Fisk University where he graduated with a B.A. in Education. Ty founded OLLIE with the intention on bettering his community and anyone who crosses his path. He is the proud father of his son Caleb, and continues making strides to enhance the lives of all youth in Nashville and surrounding areas. tygarth@ollielifestyle.com

Dred Yehudah

Born and raised in New Jersey, Dred came to Nashville, TN in 2001 to attend Fisk University. He graduated with departmental honors with a B.S. in Sociology. Dred has always had a passion for the development of our youth and only wants to see his people succeed and not make some of the same mistakes he has in life. He is a proud father of 3 extraordinary boys. dredyehudah@ollielifestyle.com

Derron Ragland

Born and raised in Millington, TN where I was taught character and developed a strong mindset to overcome adversity, fight for everything u want, and rise above your circumstances. My mother was a hard working mother that enforced a work ethic in me and my brother to strive for greatness and always put your best foot forward. Started playing basketball at a young age in Harrold projects that gave me an avenue to be on the outside of the crime and violence that surrounded us everyday. That determination allowed me to play basketball in college at Dyersburg state CC then later on at Fisk University. Fisk grew me up fast, where I pledged Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity then a few months later my mother passed and I had to adjust quickly to life as an adult by raising my little brother of 14 and we had to learn life the hard way. After some time adjusting to this new life, I found a career in banking, then construction and distribution. Now I’m in management in Banking loving the path I’m on. I have a wonderful beautiful wife that’s also in banking and also serves as a minister, motivational speaker and mother. She is also president of NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners) We have 3 boys that are being taught those same methods of work ethics to work hard and persevere through tough times. I am also a deacon at my church where I help lead our men’s ministry

About Us

WHO WE ARE

O.L.L.I.E. (Only Living Life In Excellence) is a curriculum based organization run throughout the summer and school year. OLLIE aims to instill excellence in male participants ages 12- 18 years old transitioning from middle to high school through professional development programs. O.L.L.I.E. operates under a Limited Liability Corporation serving Middle Tennessee.

WHAT WE DO

O.L.L.I.E. offers before and after school mentoring through our "Striving for excellence program". This program pairs the male participant with college age mentors to prepare them for young adulthood. The O.L.L.I.E. Suspension Program" seeks to reinforce parents who may not be able to take off by having their child(ren) participate in service learning during O.S.S. (Out of School Suspension). The suspension program : Mitigates unsupervised students at home places students with OLLILE staff/mentors & community service options in lieu of video games. The program discourages disruptive behavior through mentorship with community members such as Coaches, Pastors, entrepreneurs etc. We have our "Environmental Clean Up Days" This initiative of beautification day is one Saturday out of the month and sites are selected through applications by churches, businesses, schools, and other nonprofits in Middle Tennessee area. Students keep a before and after journal and incentive points awarded for full participation.

OLLIE'S VISION

O.L.L.I.E's multi-faceted, multicultural, enrichment in Nashville encompasses programming activities to promote and enhance the following social skills in students from all walks of life. Soft skills-(personal habits & social grace), Critical thinking- (Logic and reasoning), Interpersonal communication skills, & time management at an early age.

OUR MISSION

To present young men of today and tomorrow with a positive elevated lifestyle in hopes to create a platform for their future.