At age 11 Yannik suffered the heartbreak of his parents' divorce and learned that both Mom and Dad were HIV positive. By the age of 15 Yannik lost both of his parents to the deadly AIDS disease. Overcoming such adversity has helped Yannik earn his reputation as an expert on how to overcome life's toughest challenges. Yannik's amazing life story has been featured on numerous media outlets including ESPN, The Huffington Post, The New York Daily News, Good Day Atlanta, and many more. Yannik has a degree in marketing from Georgia Southern University and a Master's Degree in Christian Ministries from Liberty University. 

Yannik loves his community and through the McKie Foundation a 501 (c) 3 given tens of thousands of dollars to the CSRA community. Yannik has served on the Board for My Brother's Keeper, Augusta University's African American Male Initiative and sponsored event's for the Medical College of Georgia, The Youth Challenge Academy, Columbia County School System and many many more. Chosen was birthed out of Yannik's passion for purpose and his passionate love for his community.