O.J. Semmes Elementary School

Nestled in the heart of Pensacola, Florida, O.J. Semmes is a beacon of hope for its PreK-5th grade students amidst the challenges of poverty. In a community where families often struggle to make ends meet, our school is a sanctuary, offering vital support to those in need. Many of our young scholars reside in one of 2 sizeable, subsidized housing projects with many cramped 2-bedroom apartments, sometimes accommodating as many as a dozen loved ones under one roof. It’s not uncommon for our home visits to reveal stark realities: homes without the necessities of running water or electricity, cupboards bare of sustenance, and hearts heavy with the burden of uncertainty.

Here at O.J. Semmes, we are not just a school, but a community that works tirelessly to give our students not just the necessary academics but also the emotional, social and strong stability needed to succeed every day. We are a “from the heart” kind of school, and we meet our students where they are each and every day. Over the past two years, our school has been improving the lives of our students with our academic focus and we are proud to say that our school grades have risen from an “F” to a “C”. It is not us alone that has helped the children attain this level; it is our entire community, Derrick Brooks Charities, and many dedicated volunteers who have also helped create our positive school environment. As the saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.” We 100% believe that is true and are so grateful for all the support we receive each year.

NFL Flag Pensacola

Derrick Brooks Charities supports the NFL Youth Flag Football program in Pensacola, Florida. The Fall league started on October 20^th and will run until December 15^th. Boys and girls ages Kindergarten through eighth grade can participate. All games are played on Sunday afternoons at 3:00 p.m. at the University of West Florida Pen Airfield. Practice is encouraged to be on Sundays one hour before game time.

First Tee Gulf Coast

First Tee is a youth development organization that enables kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum, we create active learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience that kids can carry to everything they do. We’re Building Game Changers through our junior golf programs.

James B Washington Education and Sports

James B Washington Education and Sports serves disadvantaged youth through education, sports, and activities to improve and enhance their community. They incentivize young people with a unique model that rewards responsibility and success in the classroom. Children are given the opportunity to play on basketball teams, participate in art programs, take field trips, and learn life skills through achievement and accomplishment.