“The Power of One can start a movement, but The Power of Many can change the world. Rise to the challenge. Earn your number.”

Gerry Hammond is Founder and CEO of the Be Counted Foundation and In The Number organization.

A nationally recognized visionary, PGA professional, business owner, management executive, motivational mentor and community thought leader, Gerry is committed to designing a global ecosystem comprised of youth, policy influencers, educators and health care providers and others whose strength in numbers will establish a united front of citizens fighting for the equitable distribution of and access to life changing resources.

A native Ohioan and graduate of St. Augustine University in Raleigh, North Carolina, Gerry pursued his dreams and competed as a professional golfer on the national circuit. He joined the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) in 1997 and ascended to its elite “Class A” status.

Gerry’s consistent servant-leadership inspired him to pivot from player to instructor. In 1994, he launched the “Adopt a Junior Golfer Program,” which focused on providing opportunities to underserved youth living in high-risk communities throughout Ohio. For the next 25 years, he uses the golf course as a classroom, concurrently teaching them the sport and about life’s key principles, including: positive character traits, academic excellence, value of personal integrity, self-discipline and the importance of teamwork.

In 2001, Gerry established “First Tee of Columbus,” which attracted both diversity in student participants and caught the attention of corporate sponsors. His club was awarded the Coca-Cola Tiger Woods Clinic, which generated $250,000.

By 2008, he established and continues to operate the Hammond Golf Academy (HGA). Gerry raised $6 million in programming and college scholarships for over 80 students who matriculated through the HGA. To date, Gerry owns and operates the HGA and the Hammond Golf Group, which offers 30 years of golf course management expertise and consultation to clients nationwide.

As a forward-thinking entrepreneur with community service at heart, Gerry felt compelled to do more.

Gerry channeled his multihyphenate talents into charitable and philanthropic causes in addition to his business enterprises. In 2012, he envisioned global communities uniting as one to hold each other accountable for making the world a better place.

The Be Counted Foundation (BCF) is pursuing partnerships with cities across the nation and around the world in an effort to create an impenetrable force of solidarity. Understanding the principle that there is strength in numbers, BCF has augmented its reach and promoted its reputation by designing a community action model geared towards empowering young people living in and under vulnerable conditions. “Rise to the challenge. Earn your number.”

In The Number (ITN) is the catalyst for advancing BCF’s efforts to secure the commitment from participants that confirms that they will be counted and their community can count on them. Additionally, ITN is connecting with a variety of public and private enterprises, organizations and celebrities interested in joining the fast-evolving diverse ecosystem of advocates. This mutually beneficial opportunity will allow them to engage with junior and high school-aged students as either an ambassador or mentor.

To that end, Promise 51 became its cornerstone pledge to invest 51% of net profits from sales of branded apparel to global non-profit organizations working in education, disaster relief, health and human rights.

For Gerry, unity is the goal, compassion is the guidance and respect for the rights of global citizens is the gift.