Lorenzo Sistrunk, 39, of Hempstead, has been named the new executive director of the Five Towns Community Center in Lawrence, and took up his new duties on Oct. 1. He replaced Bertha Pruitt, who held the position for five years and served the center in other capacities for almost 40 years.
Sistrunk brings extensive experience in working with youth service programs, grant writing and fundraising as well as in education. After studying education at Claflin University in his hometown of Orangeburg, S.C., he earned a master’s in education administration from Hofstra University.
“I have a vast amount of experience in different areas: after-school children’s programs, case management and Head Start, for example,” he said, referring to the pre-school program for children in lower-income families. “I have a love for families. With my parent coordinator position before, I have experience in working with low-income families, helping guide them with whatever they need. As someone from a similar family situation, I understand these families very well.”
Sistrunk has worked for the Economic Opportunity Commission of Nassau County, as a parent coordinator in the New York City Department of Education’s Head Start program, and as the assistant director for college prep at the Harlem Center for Education. Most recently, he was the director of operations for the South Queens Boys and Girls Club.
Sistrunk saw the job posting at indeed.com and decided to apply in late April. He was called for an interview at the end of June, and on July 21 he learned he had gotten the job. He was chosen from a pool of 25 candidates that was reduced to eight, and finally a group of four.