Our Co-founder, Jalen, is a Florida State University alum and current Doctoral Student in Psychological Health and Learning at the University of Houston. He recognizes the power of learning in community and demonstrates that commitment each day. Whether he is training teachers and administrators on new ways to support student behavior and instruction, volunteering to host the local daycare’s Trunk-or-Treat, or developing curriculum for Summer Youth Development Programs, Jalen is always ready and prepared.

Through BLA, he hopes everyone can access the tools, resources, and information they need to grow into lifelong learners. As his grandmother, Frances Blocker, often said, “Just keep climbing up that ladder, and everything will work out.”