Mr. Barnes Story

Josh graduated from Compton High School in 2008 and later earned his associate's degree in criminal justice from El Camino College in 2014. However, the path to these achievements was marked by profound personal struggles. Throughout his life, Josh battled anxiety, depression, and PTSD, largely stemming from the tragic loss of his oldest brother, Gary Barnes Jr., to gun violence on May 26th, 2004. At just 13 years old, Josh was the first to discover his brother's body and had to bear the unimaginable burden of informing his mother. This traumatic event not only shattered his dreams of becoming a professional basketball and football player but also led to a deep sense of hopelessness and disillusionment.  

As a young Black man in Compton, Josh struggled to find the love and support he desperately needed. This lack of guidance pushed him toward local gangs, resulting in a criminal record before he even turned 18. Forced to move out of his home at 18, Josh found himself homeless, jobless, and struggling with grief, PTSD, depression, and low self-esteem. For two years, he lived in a park, grappling with the overwhelming challenges of his circumstances. Josh’s turning point came when he met Glen Davis, a man who became a positive role model in his life. Glen offered Josh his first job in security, which provided him with the stability he needed to get back on his feet. With newfound determination, Josh secured his place to live and completed his high school and college education. In September 2019, after years of hard work,

Josh founded United Elite Security, LLC, a successful security business that provided him with financial stability.  As a single business owner with no children, Josh took on the role of a father figure for his nieces, nephews, and the young boys he coached in football and basketball  over the past eight years. Despite not achieving his dream of making it to the NBA or NFL , Josh found a new purpose in life. He played in a professional international football league in Mexico with STARS  USA, an experience that reignited his passion for helping others. Inspired by his journey of overcoming adversity, Josh channeled his pain into purpose by establishing United Elite Academy, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving at-risk youth and adults across California.

Through United Elite Academy, Inc., Josh aims to provide the mentorship, counseling, workforce development, and re-entry support that he wished he had received during his most challenging times. His mission is to empower individuals affected by trauma to break the cycles of adversity and achieve sustainable success, just as he did. Josh’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, and his work continues to inspire and uplift those who face similar struggles.