Who We Are | Son of a Saint

F$3 Who We Are | Son of a Saint

Mentees

ACE

Mentee since 2018
Class of 2024
ADRIEN

Mentee since 2023
Ahmad
AIDYN
ALEJANDRO

2016 Son of a Saint Graduate
ALEXANDER
Alfred

Class of 2027
ALVIN

Mentee since 2018
Class of 2026
AMARI
Amir

Class of 2026
Andre

Class of 2025
ANDREW H.

Mentee since 2013
Class of 2021
Angelo

Class of 2027
ANQUAN

Mentee since 2014
Class of 2022
ANTOINE

Mentee since 2022
ANTONIO

Mentee since 2022
APSU

2020 Son of a Saint Graduate
Armando

Mentee since 2018
Class of 2022
ASA
Ayden
BEAU

Mentee since 2020
Class of 2024
BENJAMIN

Mentee since 2019
Class of 2024
Bernard

Class of 2030
Brandon

Mentee since 2019
Class of 2023
BRANDON

Mentee since 2018
Class of 2025
Brennen

Class of 2029
BRYCE

Mentee since 2018
Class of 2024
Byron

Mentee since 2015
Class of 2021
Calvin

Class of 2027
Calvin

Class of 2025
Camden

Class of 2028
Cannon
Carlos

Mentee since 2023
Cedric
CC

2019 Son of a Saint Graduate
Charles

Class of 2027
Chase

Class of 2024
Christian

Class of 2028
Lil Clint

Mentee since 2019
Class of 2027
Cortez

Mentee since 2023
Clayton

Mentee since 2017
Class of 2021
Daiden
Damari

Mentee since 2021
Class of 2027
Darius
DARRYL

Mentee since 2022
DARRYL

Mentee since 2018
Class of 2025
DARRYL
DARRYN

Mentee since 2019
Class of 2023
Dawson

Mentee since 2016
Class of 2023
Delvyn

Class of 2025
DEVONTE

Mentee since 2014
Class of 2020
DEVYN

Mentee since 2014
Class of 2021
D’MARIO

Mentee since 2018
Class of 2025
DUSTIN

Mentee since 2017
Class of 2026
Dwayne

Class of 2026
Dylan

Class of 2029
Edwin

Class of 2027
Elijah

Class of 2028
Elijah
Emmanuel
Equan

Class of 2024
ERROL

2019 Son of a Saint Graduate
Ethan

Mentee since 2023
ETHAN

Mentee since 2019
Class of 2025
Furnell

Mentee since 2022
Haret

Class of 2024
GabrielB
Garic
Gene
Harlem

Mentee since 2023
Hassan
Huntley
Imand

Class of 2024
ISAIAH

Mentee since 2020
Class of 2026
ISAIAH

Mentee since 2016
Class of 2022
Isaiah
Isaiah

Class of 2025
ISIAH

Mentee since 2020
Class of 2025
Jacoi

Class of 2025
Jadarius
JADEN

Mentee since 2020
Class of 2025
Jaden

Class of 2027
JAE

Mentee since 2020
Class of 2024
JAEDON

Mentee since 2016
Class of 2022
JAI

Mentee since 2020
Class of 2026
JAHEIM

2020 Son of a Saint Graduate
JA'KOBE

Mentee since 2016
Class of 2021
JAMAL

Mentee since 2016
Class of 2022
JAMAL

Mentee since 2018
Class of 2023
James

Mentee since 2023
Jameson

Class of 2025
Jared

Mentee since 2019
Class of 2023
Jason

Mentee since 2019
Class of 2024
JASON

Mentee since 2016
Class of 2026
JAVIER

Mentee since 2011
Class of 2021
Jayce

Class of 2028
Jaden

Class of 2027
Jayden

Class of 2024
JAYDEN

Mentee since 2019
Class of 2025
Jayden

Mentee since 2023
Jaylen

Mentee since 2023
Jaylon

Mentee since 2019
Class of 2024
Jededia

Mentee since 2022
Jeffron
JENNARO

Mentee since 2020
Class of 2027
Jimarion
Jonathan

Mentee since 2019
Class of 2026
Johnathan
JORDEN

Mentee since 2019
Class of 2024
JOSH

2020 Son of a Saint Graduate
JOSHUA
JOSHUA

Mentee since 2020
Class of 2026
Joshua

Class of 2024
Julio

2015 Son of a Saint Graduate
KahLeah
Kai

Class of 2027
Kamal

Mentee since 2019
Class of 2023
Kamden

Mentee since 2022
Karon

Class of 2024
Keith

Class of 2024
Keith

Class of 2026
Kemike

Class of 2027
KEVIN

2020 Son of a Saint Graduate
KE'WAN

Mentee since 2020
Class of 2025
KEYLON

Mentee since 2015
Class of 2023
KOLBE

Mentee since 2014
Class of 2021
KT

Class of 2026
KYZER

Mentee since 2017
Class of 2025
Lance
Langston

Mentee since 2022
Larnell

Class of 2026
Leo

Mentee since 2022
LESTER

Mentee since 2017
Class of 2025
LOUIS

2019 Son of a Saint Graduate
Lucien

Class of 2026
Madden
MALAKHI

Mentee since 2017
Class of 2025
Malcolm

Mentee since 2017
Class of 2023
MALIK

Mentee since 2017
Class of 2024
MARK

Mentee since 2018
Class of 2025
MARK

Mentee since 2019
Class of 2025
MARQUELL

2019 Son of a Saint Graduate
Matthew

Class of 2024
Max

Class of 2028
Maxwell

Class of 2026
MAYKOL

Mentee since 2020
Class of 2026
Michael

Mentee since 2023
Miles

2018 Son of a Saint Graduate
MILES

Mentee since 2011
Class of 2020
MYRON

Mentee since 2015
Class of 2022
NATHAN

2019 Son of a Saint Graduate
Nasir

Mentee since 2023
Nathaniel

Class of 2026
Neal

Class of 2024
NILE

2020 Son of a Saint Graduate
QUINTEN

2020 Son of a Saint Graduate
Remi

Class of 2025
Robby

Class of 2025
ROBERT

Mentee since 2023
ROBERT

Mentee since 2023
RON

Mentee since 2022
RONTRAE

Mentee since 2020
Class of 2026
RYAN

Mentee since 2020
Class of 2024
SCOOTER

Mentee since 2014
Class of 2022
SEDDRICK

Mentee since 2016
Class of 2022
SEMAJ

2019 Son of a Saint Graduate
Shane

Class of 2027
TAJ

Mentee since 2020
Class of 2024
TARAJ

Mentee since 2023
TAYLOR

2019 Son of a Saint Graduate
TERROL

2020 Son of a Saint Graduate
Thomas

Mentee since 2019
Class of 2025
THOMAS

Mentee since 2018
Class of 2022
Tra

Class of 2029
TREY

Mentee since 2012
Class of 2021
TYE

Mentee since 2019
Class of 2026
Tyrez

Class of 2026
Tyson

Class of 2025
Tyson

Class of 2027
Warren

Class of 2025
WILLIAM

Mentee since 2022
WINSTON

Mentee since 2016
Class of 2022
Wryght

Mentee since 2019
Class of 2022
ZANDER

Mentee since 2013
Class of 2022
ZION

Mentee since 2020
Class of 2024
ZORY

Mentors

Tyler

Tyler Mott, Son of a Saint Mentor of the Year
Vergil

Vergil Speed, Son of a Saint Mentor since 2019
Christopher

Christopher Kirk, Son of a Saint Mentor since 2017
Eddy

Eddy Jurgielewicz, Son of a Saint Mentor since 2017
Beau

Beau Martin, Son of a Saint Mentor since 2017
Jon

Jon DeTrinis, Son of a Saint Mentor since 2016
Allen

Allen Smith, Son of a Saint Mentor since 2013
Chris

Chris Musco, Son of a Saint Mentor since 2014
Lon

Lon Nichols, Son of a Saint Mentor since 2011

Mentor Leadership Council

Michael

Michael Gervais, Son of a Saint Mentor since 2020
Jeromy

Jeromy Porter, Son of a Saint Mentor since 2021
Jonathan

Jonathan Turner, Son of a Saint Mentor since 2020
Rafael

Rafael Velasquez, Son of a Saint Mentor since 2019

Our Founder

Sonny

As Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Son of a Saint, Bivian "“Sonny” Lee III has dedicated his life to transforming the lives of fatherless boys. Since the organization's inception in early 2011, Sonny has grown Son of a Saint to now serve 200 mentees with an operating budget of more than $3 million. Prior to founding the organization, Sonny served as chief aide to Tom Benson, owner of the New Orleans Saints and the New Orleans Pelicans. He also previously served as the Director of Operations for the New Orleans Zephyrs AAA Baseball Team and Director of Programs for the New Orleans Jazz Institute.

Sonny graduated with honors from St. Augustine High School and later earned a degree in Marketing and Management from the University of New Orleans. In 2022, he earned his Executive Master of Nonprofit Administration (EMNA) from the University of Notre Dame. A TEDx speaker on community service, decision-making and the importance of education, Sonny's nonprofit work has been highlighted on CNN, Al Jazeera America, NPR along with local television stations and newspapers.
- 2023 New Orleans Kingfish Honoree, New Orleans Magazine
- 2022 Worthy 100 List Honoree, Worth Magazine
- 2021 Distinguished Friend to Behavior Therapy Award, Association for Behavioral & Cognitive Therapies
- 2019 "A-List" Honoree, Adore Magazine
- 2018 Homer Hits Alumnus of the Year, University of New Orleans
- 2017 Southerners of the Year, Southern Living
- 2017 Role Model Award, Young Leadership Council (YLC)
- 2017 Children's Hero Award, Children's Bureau of New Orleans
- 2016 New Orleanian of the Year, Gambit Weekly
- 2015 Angel Award, Blue Cross Foundation
- 2015 Ten Outstanding Young Americans, United States Junior Chamber
- 2014 People to Watch, New Orleans Magazine
- 2013 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award
- 2013 Champion of Change Award, Crescent City Chapter of Links, Inc.
- 2013 Millennial Change Maker Award, Spears Consulting
- 2011 40 Under 40, Gambit Weekly
To book Sonny for speaking engagements and appearances, contact Megan Baldassari at megan@sonofasaint.org.

Staff

Sonny

Bivian 'Sonny' Lee III
Founder + CEO
OLA

Ola Adegboye
Chief Financial and Operating Officer
Julio

Julio Bermudez
Building and Facilities Coordinator
ELLIOT

Elliot Hutchinson
Creative Director
MEGHAN

Meghan Langley
Creative Coordinator
PIERCE

Pierce Dennis
Senior Accountant
LaKee

LaKee Moss
Case Manager
Jasmine

Jasmine Thomas
Case Manager
TARA

Tara Lark
Sr. Mental Health Specialist
Emily

Emily Prevot
Mental Health Specialist
Jackson

Jackson Kramer
Programs Assistant
Jesse

Jesse Weber
Education and Career Manager
Connor

Connor Farley
Logistics Coordinator
William

William B. Jones
Community Engagement Manager
OLIVIA

Olivia Thomas
Assistant to the CEO
Brett

Brett Weaver
Mental Health Specialist
Maddie

Maddie Brenner
Director of Development
Nikki

Nikki Martens
Emeril Lagasse Foundation - Son of a Saint Nutrition Education Specialist
DeVanté

DeVanté Starks
Success Coach
Taurean

Taurean Mingo
Success Coach
Kila

Kila Moore
Development Operations Manager
Cardella

Cardella Mayho
Case Manager
Jayant

Jayant Patel
Volunteer Coordinator
Jalen

Jalen Johnson
Recreation Coordinator
Kevin

Kevin Lynch
Recreation Coordinator
Verga

Verga Fortenberry
Part-Time Driver

Board of Directors

William

William H. Hines
Managing Partner, Jones Walker
Board Chair
Carol

Carol Asher
Community Activist, Vice Chair
PETER

Peter Hamilton III
The Law Offices of Peter Hamilton III
Secretary
AMANDA

Amanda Berger
Attorney
Development Committee Chair
RYAN

Ryan Burks
President, RYCARS Construction
Board Member Emeritus
Kevin

Kevin C. Green, Jr.
Assistant Vice President, Hospital Medicine Service Lines, Ochsner Health
HENRY

Henry King
Member, King and Jurgens Law Firm
Marques

Marques Colston
CEO, Marques Colston Enterprises
Chip

Chip Knight
Chief Banking Officer, Hancock Whitney
Trajan

Trajan Langdon
General Manager, New Orleans Pelicans
Jen

Jen Hayes Lee
Head of Marketing, The Bump
Tamica

Tamica Lee
TV Personality
Robert

Robert W. Merrick
Chairman & CEO, Latter & Blum, Inc.
Nancy

Nancy Rebold
Founder and Director, Child Advocates of Connecticut
Cleveland

Cleveland Spears
President/CEO, Spears Group
Daniel

Daniel Schmitz
Senior Managing Director, Stonepeak
Jerell

Jerell Thomas
President, Window World
SONNY

Bivian “Sonny” Lee III
Founder/President, Son of a Saint

Advisors

JASON

Jason Otis
Creative
LIZA

Liza Rebold
Communications + Content
JAMES

James Shaw
Photography
BRANDI

Brandi Theard
Media Advisor

Major Sponsors & Partners (See Sponsorship Levels)

Thanks to our 2021 Supporters

Spotlight: Link Stryjewski Foundation
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Partnership Profile

Creating opportunities and empowering young people in our city — those goals are at the heart of both Son of a Saint and the Link Stryjewski Foundation (LSF). LSF’s passion, commitment and New Orleans love equal our own. That’s why we make such natural partners.

LSF has been a valued, generous partner to Son of a Saint for several years. Our relationship started in 2017 when LSF graciously invited us to their Bal Masque event, a festive annual fundraiser. The next year, Chefs Donald Link and Stephen Stryjewski became official Son of a Saint Ambassadors, and hosted the Costa Rican Benefit Dinner in May 2018 to support our international travel program.

In the years since, LSF has supported us with their time, in-kind donations, philanthropic contributions, and many delicious meals.

This year, LSF truly went above and beyond to not only expand, but also solidify their partnership with our organization. In February 2022, LSF donated $100,000 to help build the Link Stryjewski Foundation Dining Room in our new headquarters, The Ochsner Health Son of a Saint Bivian Lee Jr. Center.

For the young men in our program, the dining room will be a place to gather for nutrition education, culinary classes, chef demonstrations — and serve as a place to build connections over freshly prepared meals.

“We are pleased to be able to make this ongoing commitment to Son of a Saint,” said LSF founder Chef Donald Link. “The young men that come out of this program are the future of our city.”

“Our partnership with Son of a Saint is a natural evolution of our investment in the New Orleans community and its improvement,” said LSF co-founder Chef Stephen Stryjewski. “We are honored to be a part of the solution.”

Spotlight: Urban South
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Partnership Profile

This beloved local brewery supports Son of a Saint in countless ways, including with its Building Lives drink series.

If you’ve spent much (or really any) time in New Orleans, you’ve seen Urban South around. Maybe you’ve had one of their delicious craft beers on a hot afternoon or have spent time with friends at their vibrant taproom. But there’s more to Urban South than what they brew. They also have a well-earned reputation for their philanthropic efforts within our city. That’s one of the many reasons why we’re thrilled to have them as a partner.

Our connection began in 2019 when former Urban South Director of Brewing Operations, Alex Flores, participated in Son of a Saint + Dat Dog’s 5th Annual National Hot Dog Day celebration and competition, and ultimately walked away as the winner. Each year since, Alex along with the Urban South team have shown incredible support to Son of a Saint in numerous ways, including supporting the organization’s mentor and volunteer recruitment efforts, donating to special and signature events, and running retail campaigns to help us raise critical funds.

“We are honored to partner with Son of a Saint to work on a product that benefits such an incredible organization. New Orleans is built on community, and no one is doing more than Son of a Saint for the youth in our community,” says Alex. “The Building Lives collaboration celebrates the vibrancy of New Orleans and the opportunity for a better future that Son of a Saint presents to the fatherless boys in our city.”

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, Urban South was among the first of our partners to step up, donating hand sanitizer and PPE. The following June, Urban South deepened its partnership and its charitable efforts by creating a unique giveback retail campaign, featuring a custom Building Lives Brew drink which is updated and released seasonally, with proceeds directly benefitting the mission and mentees of Son of a Saint. In August 2021, Alex Flores was named Son of a Saint’s Mentor of the Month.

“In my time working as a mentor with Son of a Saint, seeing the real-time impact is inspiring,” adds Alex. “Watching these boys go off to college, achieve goals they never imagined and have such bright outlooks on their own future is so rewarding.”

We’re thankful for everything Urban South brings to our partnership, especially their ongoing creativity and innovative ideas, and we’re so grateful to have them as part of the Son of a Saint family.