CEO and Director of Youth Engagement

Jermaine R. Bennett is a native of New Orleans and a graduate of both Southern University and Southern University at New Orleans. He has been an educator for 18 years, primarily as a Special Education Teacher/Case Manager. As a special education teacher, he provided inclusive and small-group instruction to elementary students with special needs. Individualized learning is always crucial to student success, and he enjoyed helping students reach their full potential through their individual goals. Before teaching, he worked for Hands On New Orleans as the Youth Engagement Coordinator and at Trinity Christian Community as an AmeriCorps team member. His hobbies include traveling, playing video games, and hanging out with his son.

COO and Director of STEM Programs

LaVurn Nolen III is an accomplished IT Security Executive and a 23-year military veteran, having served in both the United States Army and Air Force. His military career includes earning several combat medals, notably the Army’s Meritorious Service Medal during his service in Iraq. For the past eight years, LaVurn has been a Senior Security Program Manager and the owner of LJ3 Consulting Group Inc. and The Orleans 1811 Group LLC. In addition to his professional pursuits, he is passionate about music, playing the saxophone, and inspiring youth in STEM education. A lifetime member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, LaVurn has also served on the local chapter's board of directors, with a commitment to guiding the next generation in understanding the importance of STEM for their future.