By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer

(Dec. 24, 2020) Professional bodyguard Adriano “Bubba” Almony was named 2020 Humanitarian of the Year by LV Magazine for his charitable efforts on the Eastern Shore and around the world.

PHOTO COURTESY ADRIANO “BUBBA” ALMONY
Professional bodyguard Adriano “Bubba” Almony, who was named the 2020 Humanitarian of the Year by LV Magazine, was featured on a billboard in Times Square with members of the Berlin Heat Dance Team on Dec. 10.

Almony, 26, grew up in Ocean City and graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in 2012.

In June, Almony was on the cover of LV Magazine. This month, he received receive the 2020 Humanitarian of the Year award.

“It really hasn’t fully sunken in yet, but this award obviously means a lot to me,” Almony said. “This has been a lifetime commitment since I was 17. So, going on a decade, I’ve done philanthropy and mentorship and coaching and humanitarian work not just in our local communities but across the nation and parts of the globe as well.”

Almony’s efforts include feeding local first responders and medical professionals, sending tens of thousands of medical supplies to people in need in Worcester and Wicomico counties during the pandemic, sending personal protective equipment (PPE) to people across the country and providing meals for thousands of families in India.

Almony believes it is important to give back to the communities that provided opportunities for him growing up.

Through the Bodyguards Against Bullying organization, which Almony heads, he and his team donated bodyguard services to youth in the Berlin and Ocean City areas, who have experienced serious or consistent bullying.

On Dec. 10, he was featured on a billboard with members of the Berlin Heat Dance Team in Times Square. The photo was taken about a year ago during a community event with the dance team in Snow Hill.

“[I] just let them know in life, even though we might be from a small town of the Berlin, Snow Hill surrounding areas, that it’s not where you’re from in life, it’s what you’re made of,” Almony said, recalling the event. “You can be anything you put your mind to in life.”

Lakina Hayward, the coach of the Berlin Heat Dance Team, said Almony motivated the dancers to work hard.

“Some of the young ladies were asking questions to see if women as well could do what he does, and he reassured them that they could,” she said.

Hayward and her team were overwhelmed with excitement about the billboard in Times Square, with one dancer joking that she was famous now.

“They work really hard, so it was good for them to see that their hard work paid off in some type of way and to know that, again, as long as you work hard anything is always possible,” Hayward said.

The team members range from ages 6 to 14 and do hip hop, lyrical and Christian praise dances.

Almony encourages youth in Worcester and Wicomico counties to work hard, have faith and make good investments in themselves, he said.

“We all have the same 24 hours in the day as Oprah, as President Obama, as all these great people that have done great things … and the only limitations in life are what we will put on ourselves,” Almony added.

Almony, who has a martial arts background, became involved in security through the Dew Tour in Ocean City at 17 years old.

“Just right away I was truly blessed to discover it was my passion, purpose and true divine calling in life,” he said.

Over the years, his clients have included Vinny Guadagnino from “The Jersey Shore,” P. Diddy’s family, motivational speaker Demarjay Smith and eyewear designer Corey Woods.

He added that the process of becoming a bodyguard consists of extensive training, such as medical and firearm training. He also learned about firearm laws, de-escalation strategies and emergency and defensive driving maneuvers.

“You need a guard’s license, you need an armed guard’s license, you need a bodyguard’s license,” Almony said.

In addition, he emphasized the necessity of building trust with clients as a bodyguard.

“You have to have a critical soft skillset: your integrity, your character, your respect, your discipline, your presentation. – all those things are crucial,” he said.

Bodyguards also follow a “flight over fight” mantra.

“That’s what we try to get across to kids, especially with the Bodyguards Against Bullying,” Almony said. “You don’t want to do a decision you may regret or may come with a consequence, so we just instill that into them as best as we can.”

This year, Almony launched “Bubba’s Bodyguard Podcast,” which is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, to highlight “great people doing great things,” he said.

Episodes feature conversations with former Berlin Mayor Gee Williams, three-term White House Chef Andre Rush and Olympic gold medalist Carmelita Jeter.

Almony is hosting a celebrity charity basketball game in Snow Hill on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021.

“It will be to make a big impact of raising awareness and proceeds with cancer and bullying,” he said.

Currently, Superbowl Champion Jacoby Jones, Chef Andre Rush, Ravens players and Harlem Globe Trotters are expected to attend. Special guests will be announced in the future.

For more information, visit bubbaalmony.com.