MEET THE TEAM
RICKY HOLDEN
Founder/CEO
Proud father and US Air Force Veteran Ricky Holden is the Founder/CEO of Youth Connecting Foundation. Ricky’s passion for athletics and mentorship inspired the creation of YCF to fulfill his dream of establishing youth and teen programming for inner-city youth in Henderson, NC. With a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and a NC Certified Peer Support Specialist-Veterans Services credential, Ricky continues to make contributions within the Mental Health & For Profit sectors. A strong believer in intellectual property, Ricky tirelessly helps his associates and business partners establish sustainable nonprofits, for-profits, as well as programs & events that bring positivity to our communities. Ricky also holds the Peer Support Program Supervisor position at Carolina Community Support Services, Owner of the Gate City Gators Sports Organization out of Henderson, NC, and Owner of Creating A Fresh Start, LLP. In his spare time, Ricky enjoys playing football, baseball, and softball to keep him immersed into the sports he loves as well as ensuring he takes time to enjoy life’s gifts.
ASIA JOHNSON
COO
A graduate of the illustrious Winston-Salem State University, Asia embodies her Alma Mater’s motto “Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve. Asia was a soccer standout of the Nationally known Hillside Highschool which translated well when she acquired much success as a coach at the recreation, middle, and high school levels. Asia is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. and The Order of the Eastern Star, P.H.A. NonPareille #648. She has used her education to raise funding, compose grants, and cooperative agreements for numerous nonprofit organizations as well as maintain her Chief of Operations position for Youth Connecting Foundation, Senior Consultant for Creating A Fresh Start, LLP, and Peer Support Supervisor at Sunrise Clinical Associates, PLLC. With her knowledge of business & strategic planning and charismatic personality, she founded her own nonprofit Student Loan Assistance Program, a registered 501(c)(3). Asia also currently holds the Board of Directors position with Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN) Triangle NC as Chair of the Summit committee.
AQUERIA HARGROVE
Volunteer Coordinator
Founder/CEO of Building Successful Men, a registered 501c3 Nonprofit out of Wake Forest, NC, Aqueria brings a vast knowledge and experience of volunteer recruitment, event coordination, and retention to the YCF team. With a degree in Birth to Kindergarten Education/Early Intervention from the illustrious Winston-Salem State University, Aqueira works as a Lead Kindergarten teacher/STEAM coordinator at Rollins Elementary in Henderson, NC. Continuing with her list of accomplishments, Aqueria holds the Chief Operating Officer position for the Gate City Gators Sports Organization as well as the 5th grade AAU Coach for Carolina Explosion Organization based out of Wake Forest, NC.
Aqueria believes that every child should have a life experience that offers multiple opportunities, regardless of their families difficult barriers that may be present. Aqueria’s passion is to make sure that every child is educated and knowledgeable about what life has to offer. Aqueria’s passion for motivating and inspiring children continues to lead her in finding multiple ways in becoming involved in the community.