Reggie Bush

Reginald Alfred “Reggie” Bush was born on March 2, 1985 in San Diego, California. Reggie is an American football player who plays for the New Orleans Saints and formerly played for the University of Southern California (USC). He played running back/tailback, wide receiver, and punt and kickoff returner for the team. He is generally recognized as one of the best running backs in college football history due to his speed, agility, evasiveness, and outstanding instincts on the gridiron.

Click here to read about Reggie Bush’s trip to South Africa and Botswana with the Diamond Empowerment Fund.

Read Reggie Bush’s blog post from his trip or watch a video of Reggie’s in Africa.

Click here for a complete biography of Reggie Bush.

Curtis Granderson

Curtis Granderson (born March 16, 1981, in Blue Island Illinois) is a Major League Baseball center fielder for the New York Yankees. On December 9, Granderson was traded to the New York Yankees in a three team trade. In the deal, the Yankees received Granderson while sending Phil Coke and minor leaguer Austin Jackson to Detroit. Also, the Arizona Diamondbacks received Yankees pitcher Ian Kennedy and Tigers pitcher Edwin Jackson in return for young pitchers Max Scherzer and Daniel Schlereth, who joined the Tigers. He will wear #14 with the Yankees, a change from his uniform number of #28 with the Tigers, as manager Joe Girardi will wear #28, symbolizing the team’s drive for its 28th World Series championship.

Click here for a complete biography of Curtis Granderson.

Serena Williams

Serena Williams embodies style, power, beauty and courage. Like numerous A-list celebrities, Serena is recognized by the mere mention of her first name. Only 27, Serena has overcome insurmountable odds to win 8 career Grand Slams, and become one the game’s greatest all-time players. Her remarkable tennis skills have skyrocketed her to fame, but only her unique charm and drive could explain her successful endeavors outside of tennis in film, television, fashion and philanthropy. Serena has high hopes for the 2008 season after her dominating performance in the most recent Australian Open. Her tennis ability combined with her off-court activity makes her one of the most recognizable names and faces in the world – an icon.

Serena was born September 26, 1981 in Saginaw, Michigan, to Richard Williams and Oracene Price. While still an infant, the family moved to Compton, California where she began playing tennis at the age of four. At nine, Serena and her family moved to West Palm Beach, Florida. Since that time, she has become one of the most dominant figures in tennis.

Click here for a complete biography of Serena Williams.

Ray Crockett

As a stellar fourteen year NFL corner, Ray Crockett spent five years with the Detroit Lions 89-93, seven with the Denver Broncos 94-00 and two with Kansas City Chiefs 01-02. An important note here is that Ray Crockett, serving as captain, was a member of Denver’s Back to Back World Championship teams in ‘97 and ’98, earning him two rings for Super Bowls XXXII and XXXIII. A graduate of Baylor University, Ray has been very active in business and entertainment as well. He owns several companies and has been in movies, on TV shows and on radio stations across the U.S. Ray’s heart lies within his community. He has hosted charity events that have helped benefit numerous charities including the American Cancer Society, The Lupus Foundation and The Children’s Charities.

Click here to read about Ray Crockett and other D.E.F. Advocates’ trip to South Africa and Botswana on behalf of the Diamond Empowerment Fund.

Click here for a complete biography of Ray Crockett.

Dusty Baker

Dusty Baker was hired as the manager of the Cincinnati Reds in October, 2007. He is the first African-American manager in franchise history. Born and raised in California, Baker was drafted right out of high school by the Altanta Braves in 1967. He played 19 years, for the Braves, the San Francisco Giants, and the Oakland A’s.

Among his numerous honors were the National League Championship Series MVP in 1977 and a Gold Glove in 1981.Prior to joining the Reds organization, Baker was manager for the Giants and the Chicago Cubs, earning the NL Manager of the Year honors in 1993, 1997, and 2000.

Click here for a complete biography of Dusty Baker.

The Diamond Empowerment Fund™ (D.E.F) has formed a Donor Advocates Program called ATHLETES FOR AFRICA (A.F.A). The AFA Members are selected for their compassion, commitment to D.E.F.’s mission, and their ability to leverage their influence, contacts and celebrity to raise awareness and funds in support of the organization’s vision to help Africans help Africa though education that empowers and provides tangible skills to help build lives. ATHLETES FOR AFRICA members will help the Diamond Empowerment Fund’s cause by personally embracing the mission.

Reggie Bush, Ray Crockett, Kim and Khloe Kardashian visit Botswana and South Africa.

CLICK HERE TO BECOME AN ATHLETE FOR AFRICA

Serving as co-chairs of the advisory committee are D.E.F. Governing Board member Jaci Wilson Reid and former NFL Player Ray Crockett.

Jaci Wilson Reid is a volunteer fundraiser for non-profit organizations focused on women, children, the arts and minority causes.  For the past nine years she has hosted the Behind the Bench, the National Basketball Wives Assoc. annual Luncheon, benefiting the Behind the Bench organization and honoring the charitable efforts of individuals and organizations.  Jaci is also a managing director of Westin Rinehart, focused on philanthropic strategies and lifestyle marketing.  Jaci has served as a member of D.E.F. Governing Board since 2008.

As a stellar fourteen year NFL corner, Ray Crockett spent five years with the Detroit Lions 89-93, seven with the Denver Broncos 94-00 and two with Kansas City Chiefs 01-02.  An important note here is that Ray Crockett, serving as captain, was a member of Denver’s Back to Back World Championship teams in ‘97 and ’98, earning him two rings for Super Bowls XXXII and XXXIII. A graduate of Baylor University, Ray has been very active in business and entertainment as well.  He owns several companies and has been in movies, on TV shows and on radio stations across the U.S.  Ray’s heart lies within his community.  He has hosted charity events that have helped benefit numerous charities including the American Cancer Society, The Lupus Foundation and The Children’s Charities.

For further information please contact Ellen Haddigan, Executive Director, Diamond Empowerment Fund,
O: 917-229-7231, C: 917-658-6657, E: ehaddigan@diamondempowerment.org