An initial investor in The Africa Channel, Theo Ratliff is a standout NBA player, humanitarian and philanthropist. A 2001 NBA All-Star, Theo is the league's foremost shot blocker, leading the league for 3 straight seasons - he was also a leading contender to win the 2003-2004 coveted title, Defensive Player of the Year. Perhaps more importantly, the 6'10", quiet-spoken, starting Center for the Portland Trailblazers has a hyper-intense yearning to use his role-model statue to help youth succeed.

Theo is very active in community outreach in the Portland area as well as in Atlanta and Philadelphia . Utilizing his 'pro-athlete status' as a mechanism to motivate literacy and sportsmanship, Ratliff became a radiant source of inspiration. Theo is a native of Demopolis , Alabama and desires to give back to his hometown. His contributions, coupled with a federal grant will aid in the development of the " Theo Ratliff Activity Center " that will substantially improve the quality of life for at risk children and low and moderate-income families. The 10,000 square foot Ratliff center will be an innovative public/private partnership to develop the activity center in Demopolis that is designated as a Renewal Community by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. The construction of this facility will serve as inducement to promote the further regional development of Demopolis as regional hub for the rural communities of west central Alabama . This facility will be a crown jewel to provide essential social, human resource and recreation services for existing and new businesses and industries in the area. Job skills training, health care assistance and other essential services will be provided to residents of Demopolis and surrounding areas. Theo and his wife Kristina have four daughters.