About Our Founder
Ray’s troubled youth began at age 10 when he was kicked out of conventional school and relegated to the John Paul Jones school for “out of control” youth. At age 17, Ray Simmons was sent to prison for four years of his young life. He served time in some of the roughest penitentiaries in the State of New York. He went through a serious period of his life feeling lost and alone. It was the love and support of his family that helped him through the most horrific experience of his life.
While incarnated Ray earned his GED and completed the Dale Carnegie course on “How to Win Friends”. At the time it was the single most motivational experience of his life. It gave him the confidence he would need in launching an entire industry while changing the “NYS Department of Corrections” forever. Moreover, it set the back drop for a life time of inspiring others.
In retrospect, Ray regards this as a key turning point in his life; he promised if God brought him through the obstacles of prison life he would dedicate himself to making a difference in the lives of others. With the never ending love and support from his family, 39 years later, Ray continues to fulfill his promise. Together with his family, Ray has pioneered an industry of low-cost transportation providing services to New York’s State and Federal Correctional Facilities.
Ray has dedicated his life to making a difference in the lives of others both young and old. He has taught over the years on self motivation, starting your own business, how to handle your personal finances and public speaking.
Ray Simmons is uniquely qualified to awaken a desire in the youth today. Inspiring, empowering, and providing an innovative approach to the issues that face our young people today.
With all that Ray Simmons has achieved in his life, he now presents “Yes I Can”. After 30 years on the public speaking circuit, Ray has comprised in one cohesive program a proven method to reach, motivate, and empower the young people of our time. In addition- Ray has assembled an esteemed team of professionals who share his passion for “giving back” to the community. They are a staff made up of scholars, teachers, and other prominent, reputable individuals all armed with the training tools of the “Yes I Can” motivational program.
