Kimi Lent has spent decades dedicated to serving youth and adults ensnared in the Criminal                      Justice System in South Los Angeles. She pioneered one of the first wrap-around services                            programs within an alternative high school that focused on the most neglected populations. Her              experience working with gang involved youth lead her to her work within the Criminal Justice                      System.
                                                  
Kimi's community work today includes; social/emotional health services, gang/violence prevention            and intervention, court assistance, and providing youth with new and engaging opportunities. She is a
Certified Gang Intervention Specialist and a well established Court appointed Gang Expert.
                                                   
Kimi is the Founder, Creator, and Program Coordinator of the Big Dogg Academy.
                                                   

Gernay "Qadir" Quinnie grew up in South Central Los Angeles. He experienced the insidious gang environment that surrounded him. As a youth he joined the local gang and suffered the consequences by spending many years of incarceration. After changing his paradigm he dedicated his life to serving those coming from similar circumstances with a focus on the youth.

Gernay is a Certified Community Intervention Worker, Trauma Prevention Specialist, Peace                Negotiator and Counselor. He is Certified in the Community Resiliency Model and is a CRM trainer. 
Gernay is our Big Dogg within the Big Dogg team. His unwavering passion to serve the                                 
community he came from makes him the perfect fit as the Program's Co Creator, Producer,                        Team Lead, and Tech Facilitator.



Dimitri "Budda" Gales suffered from abandonment and neglect as a child growing up in Compton and  South Los Angeles. His struggles to survive in the treacherous environment lead him to gangs and criminal activity. As a youth Budda received a lengthy Adult prison sentence. Although he had a rough beginning, Budda began reinventing himself while  incarcerated.
                                               
He found and brought to fruition his special gifts and talents and worked on becoming his best self.          Budda was instrumental in helping to birth the first prison dance group that became a powerful                healing experience and great escape to the grim realities of prison. A documentary of the dance group's journey, Dancing in A-Yard, has been featured in numerous film festivals.
          
Budda received an early release due to his extraordinary transformation and is  giving  back to the            youth by joining the Big Dogg team. He is a Lead Facilitator and the Creator and Coach of our Big              Dogg Sports program. Budda is a true inspiration and a Top Dogg in serving our youth.