An internationally recognized and multi-award winning social entrepreneur. He was born in Trinidad and raised with two siblings in a single parent home in Bedford-Stuyvesant (Bed-Stuy), Brooklyn, NY amongst poverty, gangs, drugs, violence and other struggles; in 2001 a childhood friend of Barnabas, was found guilty of a crime, and received a lifetime sentence at a maximum-security prison. Only a teenager at the time of his arrest, he belonged to a notorious gang that strives in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, known as “the Bloods.” Upon his friend's conviction, Barnabas was devastated and sought to create change. In 2001, he was inspired by what his older brother brought home after returning from the US Air Force boot camp; a complete business plan hand written in a composition notebook. Barnabas started writing his own business plan, gathered a group of committed volunteers and legally formed PR-G as a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization in Bed-Stuy; the mission is and was to eliminate teen idleness in Bed-Stuy and neighboring communities in central Brooklyn through education, recreation and partnerships.

To read more about the founder's story read his book - Akin-Yemay. Click Here.

Awards

• (2011) Finalist: Toyota's 100 Cars for Good - Vote for us June 30th 2011 - http://apps.facebook.com/carsf orgood/?ref=bookmarks
• (2010) Finalist: Independence Community Foundation Do Gooder Award
• (2010) Nominee: CNN Hero of the Week, Everyday People Changing the World
• (2009) NY1’s New Yorker of the Week
• (2009) Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN) – Nonprofiteer of the Year
• (2008) NYC Mayors Office and Snapple's "Best People in NYC" Award
• (2007) Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) – Outstanding commitment to entrepreneurship
• (2007) Magnolia Tree Earth Center of Bed-Stuy – Community Service Award
• (2006) Union Square Awardee
  
• (2005) Oppenheimer Funds – National Social Entrepreneur of the Year
  
• (2004) National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) – Young Entrepreneur of the Year
• (2003) Citizen's Committee and Fleet Bank’s – Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Award
• (2002) US Department of Commerce & MBDA – National Student Entrepreneur of the Year and National Business Plan Competition Champion 1st place
  

• Bed-Stuy homeowners - interested in frontal yard cleaning & snow removal?
• Teenagers -wanna earn extra cash?
• Donors, business owners, & residents -how can you invest resources?
• Teen writers - interested in competing for $80K in a full scholarship?
• Want to become a volunteer?