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{{Infobox person

{{Infobox person

| name=Kirt Bruce Bennett<br>

|name=Kirt Bruce Bennett<br>

(Founder of New Leaders Academy<br> of Baton Rouge for the education<br>of African-American boys)

(Founder of the Young Leaders Academy in Baton Rouge,<br> Louisiana, for the education of<br> African-American boys)  

| birth_date ={{birth date|1967|12|15}}

| birth_date=December 15, 1967

| birth_place = [[Brooklyn, New York|Brooklyn]], [[New York]], [[United States|U.S.]]

| birth_place=[[Brooklyn]], [[New York]], [[United States|U.S.]]

| death_date = {{death date and age|2010|5|3|1967|12|15}}

| death_date=May 3, 2010 (aged 42)

| death_place =[[Baton Rouge, Louisiana|Baton Rouge]], [[East Baton Rouge Parish]], [[Louisiana]], [[United States|U.S.]]  

| death_place=[[Baton Rouge]], [[Louisiana]], [[United States|U.S.]]

|spouse= Zanetta Denise Taylor-Bennett (goes by Denise)

|children=John Denham Bennett<br>

| party=[[Democratic Party|Democrat]]-turned-[[Republican Party|Republican]]  

| spouse= Zanetta Denise Taylor-Bennett (uses middle name Denise)<br>

John Denham Bennett<br>

Christiana Marie Bennett<br>

Christiana Marie Bennett<br>

Benjamin Taylor Bennett

Benjamin Taylor Bennett<br>

|parents=Elden Denham Bennett<br>

Nova Carlota Bennett  

Elden Denham Bennett<br>

|alma_mater=Eleanor McMain Magnet Senior High School<br>

Nova Carlota Bennett<br>

Eleanor McMain Magnet Senior High School ([[New Orleans]])<br>

[[Louisiana State University]]<br>

[[Louisiana State University]]<br>

[[Southern University]]

Southern University (Baton Rouge)<br>

|party=[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]

*Though he never won office as an [[African-American]] [[Republican Party|Republican]] in [[Louisiana]], *Bennett founded the nationally recognized Young Leaders Academy in the capital city of [[Baton Rouge]].<br>

|footnotes=(1) Though he never won office as an [[African American|African-American]] [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] in [[Louisiana]], Bennett founded the nationally recognized Young Leaders Academy in [[Baton Rouge, Louisiana|Baton Rouge]].

*Bennett was a star track and field athlete at [[Louisiana State University]] between 1987 and 1991.

 

(2) Bennett was a star [[track and field]] athlete at [[Louisiana State University]] between 1987 and 1991.

 

}}

}}

'''Kirt Bruce Bennett''' (December 15, 1967 &ndash; May 3, 2010) was an [[African American|African-American]] [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[political activist]], [[business]]man, and educational leader in [[Baton Rouge, Louisiana|Baton Rouge]], [[Louisiana]].

'''Kirt Bruce Bennett''' (December 15, 1967 &ndash; May 3, 2010) was an [[African-American]] [[Republican Party|Republican]] political activist, [[business]]man, and educational leader in [[Baton Rouge]], [[Louisiana]].

==Early years==

==Background==

Bennett was born in [[Brooklyn, New York|Brooklyn]], [[New York (state)|New York]]. He graduated from Eleanor McMain Magnet Senior High School in [[New Orleans, Louisiana|New Orleans]].<ref name=hurst>Willmarine B. Hurst, "A New Breed with New Vision and New Leadership for a New Louisiana", May 30, 2003, at kirtbennett.com</ref> He then attended [[Louisiana State University]] in Baton Rouge on an athletic [[scholarship]]. He lettered in [[track and field]]: the [[shot-put]], [[discus]], and the hammer.<ref name=obit/> He was elected president of the LSU Student Government Association becoming the second African American SGA president in LSU's history. In 1991, he received a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree in [[political science]]. In the early 21st century, he was invited to speak at the LSU commencement exercises. He also studied [[public administration]] at [[Southern University]], an [[historically black]] institution in Baton Rouge.<ref name=hurst/>

Though born in [[Brooklyn]], [[New York]], he graduated from Eleanor McMain Magnet Senior High School in [[New Orleans]], Louisiana.<ref name=hurst>Willmarine B. Hurst, "A New Breed with New Vision and New Leadership for a New Louisiana", May 30, 2003, at kirtbennett.com</ref> He then attended [[Louisiana State University]] in Baton Rouge on an athletic scholarship. He lettered in track and field: the shot-put, discus, and the hammer.<ref name=obit/> He was elected president of the LSU Student Government Association, the second African American in that position. In 1991, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in [[political science]]. In the early 21st century, he was invited to speak at the LSU commencement exercises. He also studied public administration at Southern University, an historically black institution in Baton Rouge.<ref name=hurst/>

In 1993, Bennett founded the Young Leaders Academy of Baton Rouge, an institution for the education of African-American boys.<ref name=yla>{{cite web|url=http://www.youngleaders.org/|title=Young Leaders Academy mourns loss of former director and friend|publisher=youngleaders.org|accessdate=May 7, 2010}}</ref> Youngsters from the school appeared twice on the [[Television syndication|syndicated]] ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]'' and won Winfrey's "Use Your Life" award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:ejPliGK-_HcJ:www.guidestar.org/pqShowGsReport.do%3Fpartner%3Djustgive%26npoId%3D409003+Young+Leaders+School+on+The+Oprah+Winfrey+Show&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us|title=Young Leaders Academy of Baton Rouge|publisher=webcache.goolgeusercontent.com|accessdate=May 8, 2010}}</ref> In 1998, the school was presented the "Points of Light" award by former [[U.S. President]] [[George Herbert Walker Bush]].<ref name=yla/> Other citations include three U.S. President Service awards from former President [[Bill Clinton]] and an [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] Community Service designation in 2006.<ref name=obit>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/theadvocate/obituary.aspx?n=kirt-bruce-bennett&pid=142542604

In 1993, Bennett founded the Young Leaders Academy of Baton Rouge, an institution for the education of African-American boys.<ref name=yla>{{cite web|url=http://www.youngleaders.org/|title=Young Leaders Academy mourns loss of former director and friend|publisher=youngleaders.org|accessdate=May 7, 2010}}</ref> Youngsters from the school appeared twice on the syndicated [[Oprah Winfrey]] program and won Winfrey's "Use Your Life" award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:ejPliGK-_HcJ:www.guidestar.org/pqShowGsReport.do%3Fpartner%3Djustgive%26npoId%3D409003+Young+Leaders+School+on+The+Oprah+Winfrey+Show&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us|title=Young Leaders Academy of Baton Rouge|publisher=webcache.goolgeusercontent.com|accessdate=May 8, 2010}}</ref> In 1998, the school was presented the "Points of Light" award by former [[U.S. President]] [[George Herbert Walker Bush]].<ref name=yla/> Other citations include three U.S. President Service awards from former President [[Bill Clinton]] and an [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] Community Service designation in 2006.<ref name=obit>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/theadvocate/obituary.aspx?n=kirt-bruce-bennett&pid=142542604

|title=Kirt Bruce Bennett|publisher=''[[The Advocate (Baton Rouge)|Baton Rouge Morning Advocate]]'', May 7, 2010|accessdate=May 7, 2010}}</ref>

|title=Kirt Bruce Bennett obituary|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|date=May 7, 2010|accessdate=May 7, 2010}}</ref>

==Political campaigns==

==Political campaigns==

In March 1993, Bennett ran as a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] in a [[special election]] for the District 67 seat in the [[Louisiana State Legislature|Louisiana House of Representatives]]. He finished in third place with 11 percent of the vote.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www400.sos.louisiana.gov:8090/cgibin/?rqstyp=elcms3&rqsdta=030693|title=Louisiana special election returns, March 6, 1993|publisher=sos.louisiana.gov|accessdate=May 7, 2010}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

In March 1993, while still in his twenties, Bennett ran as a [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] in a [[special election]] for the District 67 seat in the Louisiana House of Representatives. He finished in third place with 11 percent of the vote.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, March 6, 1993.</ref>

In 2003, Bennett, [[Clyde C. Holloway]], and [[Melinda Schwegmann]] were three major Republican candidates for [[lieutenant governor]]. Bennett stressed improving the state's business climate in his campaign.<ref name=hurst/> The position instead went to the lone [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] in the race, [[Mitch Landrieu]].<ref name=obit/> Bennett ran fourth in the [[nonpartisan blanket primary]], with 108,293 votes (8.5 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www400.sos.louisiana.gov:8090/cgibin/?rqstyp=elcms2&rqsdta=100403|title=Louisiana primary election returns, October 4, 2003|publisher=sos.louisiana.gov|accessdate=May 7, 2010}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

In 2003, Bennett, Clyde Cecil Holloway (1943-2016), a former [[U.S. Representative]] for Louisiana's 8th congressional district seat and later a member of the state Public Service Commission, and Melinda Schwegmann were three major Republican candidates for lieutenant governor. Bennett stressed improving the state's business climate in his campaign.<ref name=hurst/> The position instead went to the lone [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] in the race, [[Mitch Landrieu]], later the [[mayor]] of New Orleans.<ref name=obit/> Bennett ran fourth in the nonpartisan blanket primary, with 108,293 votes (8.5 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 4, 2003.</ref>

In 2004, Bennett ran unsuccessfully again, this time for a seat on the 144-member Republican State Central Committee from House District 61, but he lost to [[Dan Richey]], a former member of both houses of the state legislature, having represented the area about [[Concordia Parish, Louisiana|Concordia Parish]]. Richey defeated Bennett, 102-65, in a low-turnout [[closed primary]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sos.louisiana.gov:8090/cgibin/?rqstyp=elcms3r&rqsdta=030904|title=Louisiana primary election returns, March 9, 2004|publisher=sos.louisiana.gov|accessdate=May 7, 2010}}</ref>

In 2004, Bennett ran unsuccessfully again, this time for a seat on the 144-member Republican State Central Committee from House District 61, but he lost to [[Dan Richey]], a former member of both houses of the state legislature, having represented the area about Concordia Parish. Richey defeated Bennett, 102-65, in a low-turnout [[closed primary]].<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returs, March 9, 2004.</ref>

    

    

Bennett was a representative of the Northwest Mutual Financial Network. At the time of his death, he was also serving as the treasurer of the Port of Greater Baton Rouge board of commissioners, under appointment from Republican [[governor of Louisiana|Governor]] [[Bobby Jindal]]. Port headquarters are located in [[Port Allen, Louisiana|Port Allen]].

Bennett was a representative of the Northwest Mutual Financial Network. At the time of his death, he was also serving as the treasurer of the Port of Greater Baton Rouge board of commissioners, under appointment from Republican then [[Governor]] [[Bobby Jindal]]. Port headquarters are located in Port Allen in West Baton Rouge Parish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.portgbr.com/content.php?display=contacts_com|title=Port commissioners|publisher=portgbr.com|accessdate=May 7, 2010}}</ref>

<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.portgbr.com/content.php?display=contacts_com|title=Port commissioners|publisher=portgbr.com|accessdate=May 7, 2010}}</ref>

 

Kirt Bennett died on May 3, 2010 at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge after suffering a [[stroke]] the previous week. He was 42.<ref name=obit/>

The Young Leaders' Academy issued the following statement on Bennett's death: "Mr. Bennett laid a solid foundation that continues to direct our path today.  He was a visionary leader who offered himself in service to countless people in this community. We will never find the words to express the depth of his impression on the young men that he inspired, molded, and mentored."<ref name=yla/>

The Young Leaders' Academy issued the following statement on Bennett's death: "Mr. Bennett laid a solid foundation that continues to direct our path today.  He was a visionary leader who offered himself in service to countless people in this community. We will never find the words to express the depth of his impression on the young men that he inspired, molded, and mentored."<ref name=yla/>

==References==

==References==

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[[Category:Louisiana People]]

[[Category:Louisiana People]]

[[Category:New York]]

[[Category:New York City]]

[[Category:Business People]]

[[Category:Business People]]

[[Category:Educators]]

[[Category:Educators]]

[[Category:Politicians]]

[[Category:Politicians]]

[[Category:Republicans]]

[[Category:Republicans]]