Who we are

Larry L. Banks

Chairman of the Board

Larry is a Professor and Chair of the Media Arts Department at Long Island University, Brooklyn, where he is mentoring a new generation of moving image professionals. Larry's career is filled with depth and moxie, having produced and shot in everything from 35mm film, as in Red Hook, to many high definition digital and digital single-lens reflex formats.

Beginning his career in film as an electrician, he soon became a successful gaffer, and later a Director of Photography on television shows, music videos, and commercials for Nike, Levi-Strauss, and AT&T. Larry has also distinguished himself as a feature cinematographer on films including Juice, Strapped, Fly By Night, and Substitute 2, working alongside notable directors such as Spike Lee and Forest Whitaker.

A successful director in his own right, Larry directed the documentaries Blues Stories, Black Bird, and Living the Blues. Branching out into production, with business partner Roni Wheeler, he started Namaste Productions, a subsidiary of Untamed Heart Inc. There, he produced public service announcements for Prism, short narratives such as Sparks, and the documentaries Hands of Light and Not so Private. Most recently, Larry completed work on the television pilot Black Jaq, produced by Sony TriStar.

Ben Foss

Founder, Board Member

Ben is a dyslexic entrepreneur, activist, and the founder of Headstrong Nation. He invented the Intel® Reader, a mobile device that takes photos of text and recites it aloud on the spot. Foss graduated from Wesleyan University and earned a JD/MBA from Stanford Law and Business Schools. Ben recently published his first book, The Dyslexia Empowerment Plan: A Blueprint for Renewing Your Child’s Confidence and Love of Learning. Follow Ben on Twitter: @benfoss.

Joe Booth

Board Member

Joe Booth, is a Digital Media Executive, Innovator and (aspiring) Social Entrepreneur with broad experience of innovating and bringing consumer digital products and services to market in Video Games, Publishing and eLearning. Joe is the creator of Crowded Fiction, a social venture and innovative interactive eBook platform that aims to get older kids (9+) as passionate about reading as they are about video games. He previously worked at Electronic Arts where he helped to turn around FIFA, and at Microsoft where he developed eLearning platforms. Joe lives in Seattle and tweets @iAmVidyaGamer

Steve O' Brien

Board Member

Steve O' Brien is the Founder and CEO of the Dyslexia Foundation, a leading adult dyslexia charity in the UK. The Foundation offers direct services, diagnostic testing, and accredited training. Steve works with the not for profit sector, commercial and governmental agencies. The charity has developed and online screening tool, and is soon to launch a tailored adult reading program. Steve works closely with the IDA and other not for profits in the USA and Europe. He lives near Liverpool in the UK and tweets @dyslexiafound.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

Legal Assistance

The law firm of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, performs legal work for Headstrong Nation on a pro bono basis. We are very thankful for their generous support.