Born and raised in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, former Communications Aide to the President of the United States at the White House Communications Agency, Ty Pinkins is the Founder and President of The Pyramid Project.

Ty created The Pyramid Project after experiencing first-hand the need for youth leadership, development and mentorship programs directed at underserved communities, especially in the Mississippi Delta.

Now a retired Chief Warrant Officer Three and 21-year U.S. Army veteran, Ty has served in a variety of assignments, ranging from Signal Support Systems Specialist, 4th Battalion 1st Field Artillery Regiment, in Fort Riley, Kansas and Squad Leader, 2nd Battalion 37th Armor in Friedberg, Germany to Network Security Technician, HQ 1st Armored Division in Wiesbaden, Germany and Brigade S-6 OIC, 10th Regional Support Group in Okinawa, Japan. His three combat tour deployments include Operation Iraqi Freedom where he served in Baghdad, Tikrit and Najaf, Iraq respectively as well as Operation New Dawn in Baghdad, Iraq.

Ty is a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster, Presidential Service Badge, Army Commendation Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Presidential Unit Citation Award, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal Third Award, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral Three, the Army Achievement Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and Drivers/Mechanic Badge.

Ty earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Maryland University College and his Juris Doctor degree from the Georgetown University Law Center. He is currently completing his Masters of Law degree (LL.M) with a focus on National Security Law.