YES TESTIMONIALS
US Virgin Islands Tourism
"YES helps Virgin Islands youth by teaching them business, economic development, teamwork on all three islands. They are great at actually helping young people win" Commissioner Boschulte
YMCA Newark, NJ 1st YES Program 2014
"Ruff's program teaches our youth real business. They learn marketing and financial planning. The kids are excited and engaged and very much look forward to presenting their business plans" Michael. Bright CEO Newark YMCA"
Comerica Bank SVP Vanessa Reed
"At Comerica Bank we are laser focused on helping to develop the next generation. Thanks Ernest Ruffin, Jr. for creating the opportunity for our youth to develop and grow as entrepreneurs. Congratulations to the 2023 YES National Business Plan Challenge!"
YES PROGRAMS
YES US Virgin Islands HBCU Basketball Classic
YES hosts its annual YES US Virgin Islands HBCU Basketball Classic with great success. 8 HBCU schools compete for the chance to win the championship This tournament has quickly become the premier NCAA Division 2 games in the country.
YES National Business Plan Challenge
The YES National Program bring winning teams from around the US and Virgin Islands to St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands to compete for the national grand prize of $1,000 each team member. YES also recognizes leaders of business, education, entertainment who support youth entrepreneurship receive the YES Entrepreneurship Service Award.
YES USVI HBCU BOWL
YES is finalizing to bring HBCU College (American) Football to St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands. Two college teams will faceoff at Bethlehem Stadium in a fall contest. Dates and times will be added to the site very soon.
YES SPONSORS
YES Elite Sponsor
Comerica Bank donated $100,000 4 consecutive years to YES for entrepreneurship programs for youth in the five state footprint their bank provides services to consumers. They also added their "Ask A Banker" segment to the program that's been met with much success.
YES Elite Sponsor
US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism donates a significant amount of funds for YES to host the YES National Program, the HBCU Basketball Classic in December, next we have the YES football HBCU bowl game. Tourism is a great partner to work with to give our youth opportunities.
YES Elite Sponsor
US Virgin Islands Lottery has become a very strategic sponsor and partner supporting YES programs in St. Thomas and St Croix. The goal is to get them involved with our YES Business Plan Challenge in St John too.