Every Team Member is a Certified Instructor

   Motivational Quote from Lakeevius Waters "Our communities carry cultures of strength, resilience, and unity. At VitaShield Academy, we are taking them back—restoring pride, protecting life, and proving that together, we are unconquered." 

 Is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of VitaShield Academy, a veteran-owned American Heart Association Training Site dedicated to building stronger, safer communities through life-saving education. A U.S. Navy veteran and seasoned emergency response leader, he brings decades of military discipline, operational expertise, and real-world crisis management to the Academy’s mission.

In 2018, Lakeevius received a kidney transplant and continues to live with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). His resilience and determination in the face of terminal illness embody the Academy’s motto: VITA INVICTA – Life Unconquered. His personal journey is a testament to perseverance, service, and the belief that strength is found in community.

VitaShield Academy was founded on the principle of family and community first. Lakeevius established the organization in partnership with Renatta Griffith-Hambrick, Co-Founder, ensuring compassion and strength at its core.  

His commitment to legacy is reflected through a strong family foundation and a leadership team that oversees operations, outreach, and branding with a unified focus on resilience, service, and empowerment. Together, this family-led organization embodies excellence and community-first values.

In addition to his professional and family leadership, Lakeevius is a proud Freemason, carrying forward traditions of brotherhood, integrity, and service that align with his lifelong mission to uplift and protect communities. He also serves as a Notary Public for the State of Florida, further extending his dedication to accountability, trust, and service.

  Motivational Quote from Renatta Griffith-Hambrick "When we put family and community first, we create a culture of resilience that cannot be broken. At VitaShield Academy, we are not just teaching skills—we are building legacies of strength and service." 

  Renatta Griffith-Hambrick 

 is the Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of VitaShield Academy, where she plays a pivotal role in shaping the Academy’s mission of family, community, and resilience. Her career reflects a lifetime of service — to her country, her community, and her family.

Renatta proudly served in the United States military, where she developed the discipline, leadership, and commitment to excellence that continue to define her work today. Following her military service, she dedicated years of law enforcement service in Ohio, particularly in the Akron area, where she worked tirelessly to protect and serve her community. Her time in uniform instilled a deep respect for justice, accountability, and the power of community trust.

Building on her public service, Renatta now serves at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), where she assists medical staff and supports veterans in navigating healthcare and recovery

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