Dr. Edward Ruvins has been involved with non-profit charitable activities since 2005. Phoenix Foundation is the project he and his partners started to provide assistance and support for people with mental and physical disabilities.

Dr. Ruvins is dedicated to charitable activities and is exploring new opportunities for Phoenix Foundation supporters to get involved with new projects. Currently he is involved with charitable project Vision for Senegal and The Lighthouse Recovery HOPE project.

Dr. Ruvins earned his degree from New York University College of Dentistry in 1995 and completed his post-doctoral residency and advanced training in General Practice Dentistry at St. Luke’s – Roosevelt Medical Center – University Hospital of Columbia University School of Medicine and Dentistry.

Dr. Ruvins obtained his post-doctoral Master of Science degree in Oral Implantology at J.W. Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany. His master thesis was based on his clinical research of Guided Tissue Regeneration.

Dr. Ruvins holds a Master of Business Administration degree from The George Washington University in Washington DC and a Master of Science in Finance from the London School of Business and Finance. Additionally, Dr. Ruvins holds a Master degree in Addiction Counseling and is a Certified Addiction Counselor in the state of Colorado.

Dr. Ruvins is a Principal of Optimum Consulting Group, CEO and Program Director of The Lighthouse Recovery, Associate Clinical Director of Berkley HHC, and a Chairman of the Board of Phoenix Foundation.

Papa M. Dia is Founder and Executive Director of the African Leadership Group (ALG), an established Colorado nonprofit created in 2006 to help improve the quality of life for African immigrants and members of the diaspora. Through social, economic, and educational programs, ALG helps families successfully integrate into their local community.

Papa Dia had an opportunity to come to the United States in 1998, with one goal in mind; work and send money back to support the rest of his family in Senegal, West Africa. As 1 of 13 children, his family struggled to make ends meet; he was determined to do everything he could, to change the narrative. Like many immigrants, Papa was faced with challenges.

Back in Senegal, Papa studied law; however, he couldn’t continue this path due to his limited English-speaking skills. Papa got a job at the Tattered Cover Bookstore and found himself studying all over again. His exposure to books and immersion in the world of literacy helped with his reading, writing, and speaking skills.

After leaving Tattered Cover Bookstore, Papa got a job as a bank teller, where he worked for the next 18 years. He learned about financial resources that were not readily accessible to the immigrant community, though they were necessary for successful integration. Information about government assistance was readily available, but nothing existed to help the African diaspora achieve the American dream. During his time at the bank, Papa was approached by several African Immigrants who had questions not only about banking but also about other challenges (education, legal, etc.) they faced in trying to integrate into the American culture. He helped them the best he could, but this attracted dozens to the bank each week. When the bank started to express concern, Papa knew it was time for him to create an outlet that would continue to help people outside of his workplace because as he looked around, there were no other entities/organizations that focused on helping skilled immigrants integrate. In 2006, the African Leadership Group was formed to facilitate the professional integration of African immigrants.