EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS

OF THE DANIEL ROBINSON FOUNDATION

David Robinson II

President/Founder

Advocate, Veteran, and Candidate

David Robinson II is a U.S. Army veteran, father, and relentless advocate for missing Americans. After serving two combat tours in Afghanistan, where he sustained injuries from I.E.D. blasts, David was medically retired. He pursued his dream of becoming a computer engineer, founding his company, Positive Ideologies.

In 2021, his world changed when his son, geologist Daniel Robinson, went missing in Arizona. David launched a nationwide search, organizing 49 weeks of desert searches covering 35,000 acres and distributing hundreds of thousands of flyers. His efforts brought attention to systemic disparities in how missing person cases are handled, particularly for Black Americans, and inspired the creation of the Daniel Robinson Foundation to support families and advocate for equitable treatment.

In 2024, David ran for U.S. Congress against 23-year incumbent Joe Wilson in South Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District, focusing on crafting legislation to help families and law enforcement respond to missing persons cases with real-time tools and resources. His story is one of resilience, love, and a commitment to creating systemic change for families in need.

To see the full bio, click the link below.

READ FULL BIO HERE:

A Journey of Service, Sacrifice, and Purpose: The Inspiring Story of David Robinson II

David Robinson II, a proud United States Army Veteran, embodies resilience, determination, and a deep commitment to service. His life’s journey is a testament to overcoming adversity and turning challenges into opportunities to inspire and uplift others.

Early in his life, David made the selfless decision to drop out of college to become a single parent, putting his dreams on hold to prioritize his child’s well-being. With unwavering determination, he started a trucking business as an independent contractor, successfully operating two trucks to support his family. However, after the tragic 9/11 attacks, David felt a profound call to serve his country. He closed his business and enlisted in the U.S. Army, committing himself to protect and defend the nation.

David served with distinction, completing two combat tours in Afghanistan. As a machine gunner, he faced the dangers of war head-on, enduring injuries from I.E.D. blasts that ultimately cut his military career short. Despite being medically retired, David refused to let adversity define him. Instead, he returned to college to fulfill his dream of becoming a computer engineer. Fueled by the same resilience that guided him through military service, David achieved his academic goals and launched Positive Ideologies, a company rooted in innovation and problem-solving.

David embraced his retired status as an opportunity to explore life and travel, but everything changed when his son, Geologist Daniel C. Robinson, went missing in 2021. Motivated by an unbreakable bond of love and an unyielding determination to find his son, David left his home in Columbia, South Carolina, and drove over 2,000 miles to Arizona to begin his search.

Confronting obstacles head-on and with little to no assistance from law enforcement, David took immediate action. He organized and led 49 weeks of desert searches, enlisting hundreds of volunteers and covering over 35,000 acres of rugged terrain. These exhaustive efforts not only brought crucial attention to Daniel’s case but also uncovered human remains belonging to others, offering closure to families who had long-awaited answers.

David extended his mission beyond the desert, launching city operations that produced and distributed hundreds of thousands of flyers across Arizona and other states. Through initiatives like the Volunteer Flyer Distribution Ambassador Program, David unified individuals who were passionate about making a difference, building a compassionate community, and building a foundation for lasting change.

During his search for Daniel, David met countless families of missing loved ones and saw their pain firsthand. Determined to ease the burden of others facing similar heartbreak, he founded the Daniel Robinson Foundation. The foundation, named in honor of his son, emerged as a beacon of hope, providing support, advocacy, and resources to families of the missing.

Through this journey, David also uncovered the disparities in how cases involving missing Americans of color, particularly Black individuals, are handled compared to others. This awareness ignited a deeper purpose—to close the gaps in law enforcement responses and media coverage, ensuring equal treatment for all families.

In 2024, David took his fight to a new level, running for the U.S. House of Representatives against 23-year incumbent Joe Wilson in South Carolina’s Congressional District Two. His campaign focused on addressing the critical issue of missing Americans and crafting legislation that provides families and law enforcement with the tools, technology, and resources needed for real-time answers and swift action. David’s platform emphasized equality, justice, and the need for systemic reforms to ensure every family has the support they deserve during their most challenging times.

David’s mission is twofold: to support families of the missing and to challenge systemic inequities. His work with the Daniel Robinson Foundation and his Congressional campaign underscores his commitment to fighting for justice, crafting solutions, and being a voice for the voiceless.

Through resilience, sacrifice, and an unwavering love for his son, David Robinson II has turned personal tragedy into a movement that inspires others to stand with him in creating a brighter, more equitable future. His story is one of courage, hope, and the transformative power of service and advocacy.

Safiyyah Johnson

Treasurer

Safiyyah is a retired Special Education teacher with 29 years of experience and a proven leader in developing educational, training, personal development, and work/family programs for the community. With a natural love for her community, she has dedicated her career to helping students and parents find solutions to education and life goals. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Master of Arts in Special Education from the University of Phoenix.

Previously, Safiyyah worked for the Tosco Corporation for over five years, where she served as a site manager. In this role, she managed account reconciliation and payroll operations and oversaw an annual budget of over $200,000.

Safiyyah is the CEO and founder of SoFreshSmells LLC, a business specializing in all-natural home and pet products. She has successfully operated her business for over 12 years.

Shauna Brown

Secretary

Shauna Brown brings over 31 years of experience in customer service and the helping profession, with a strong emphasis on mental health. Her dedication and meticulous attention to detail elevate organization and efficiency to new levels.

Shauna has a deep passion and natural talent for addressing the concerns of marginalized populations, consistently advocating for them regardless of their circumstances or needs. In both her personal and professional life, she possesses an extraordinary ability to notice what others overlook and to listen for what often goes unsaid. Her love for people, authenticity, and commitment to addressing inequities make her uniquely suited to building bridges for missing persons.

Upon learning about the disappearance of geologist Daniel Cornelius Robinson, Shauna felt an inexplicable inner calling and deep connection to him. She has since devoted herself to assisting his family in every possible way to help bring him home.

Larnell Farmer

Executive Director

Larnell has worked in law enforcement in various capacities for nearly 30 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Columbia College of Missouri.

Recognizing the need to bridge the gap between the community and law enforcement, Larnell became actively involved in his community. He participated in numerous volunteer opportunities, including Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Torch Run, Shop with a Cop, providing security for his church, coaching basketball, participating in charity basketball events, helping to establish a scholarship program through the African American Police Association, and contributing to the Urban League's Annual HBCU Tour.

After 23 years of service, Larnell retired from the police department with the rank of Detective and relocated to Arizona. He continues his dedication to community service as a member of the West Valley NAACP (WVNAACP). Since its inception in 2018, he has served as the Chairperson for the Criminal Justice Committee and currently holds the position of 1st Vice President for the chapter.

In the summer of 2021, Larnell met David Robinson after hearing about the disappearance of David’s son, geologist Daniel Robinson. Knowing his extensive background in law enforcement and commitment to serving his community, Larnell offered his support to David and his team in their efforts to locate Daniel. Together with David and others, Larnell helped establish the Daniel Robinson Foundation.