About KLJ

“Where I was born and where and how I have lived is unimportant. It is what I have done with where I have been that should be of interest.”

The KLJ Way is the way of Kearns Louis-Jean. A man whose actions underscored the love he bestowed on his family, friends, and even strangers. Raised by his loving parents Lumene and Arnoux Louis-Jean, he and his brother Kevin learned the core values of being a part of their community, while attending the Most Precious Blood Church since childhood. Through every stage of his life, Kearns’s smile and bright nature lit up rooms and comforted the hearts of all ages.

A native of Hyde Park, Massachusetts, Kearns attended high school at John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics and Science. From there, Kearns attended Xavier University of Louisiana to continue his passion for STEM. After completing his Bachelor’s of Arts in Physics and minor in Mathematics, Kearns brought his passion for learning back to the youth of Boston through volunteering and tutoring. In summer 2018, Kearns was set to begin a master’s program  at UMass Boston, where he would have taken part in a teacher residency program.

However, on April 6, 2018, the light that many knew and loved dimmed when Kearns passed away unexpectedly. Kearns was Leadership, Kindness, Humility, Honesty, Loyalty, and so much more. He was a son, brother, confidant, teacher, mentor, student, athlete, friend, and simply a ray of sunlight on the cloudiest day. Kearns allowed his light to shine, he warmed hearts and created waves that touched the lives of many. Through his family, friends, and KLJ Way, his legacy will continue to light the way for generations to come, starting with a smile.

KLJ Way was established in September 2018. Upon Kearns’s passing, many loved ones gathered on social media to express their condolences and share their impactful personal experiences with, and memories of, Kearns. Seeing the amount of love, pain, and encouragement that was expressed for Kearns, Tanya Chesson was compelled to found KLJ Way. Thinking about her interactions and shared moments with him, she knew Kearns’s legacy had to be shared with the world. Tanya joined together with other close friends, and KLJ Way came to life.

Though KLJ Way is a nonprofit organization, we are a family. We aim to build a family of philanthropy, and all-around excellence, to carry on Kearns’s work in not only education, but in community service, mentoring, promotion of academic and professional excellence, and of course, the giving of a smile to make another smile.

Tanya received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Salem State University. Upon graduation, she decided to continue her education and to receive her Master of Science, Industrial/Organizational Psychology degree. As a young woman of faith, as a member of Alpha & Omega Apostolic Truth Church, she has worked as an Activities Coordinator as well as directed the Youth/Young Adult Choir. She takes much pleasure in working with younger adults and serving as a mentor through example. Tanya wishes to advance her career within higher education, and work towards becoming an organizational developer for nonprofit organizations. Currently employed by a higher education institute, as well as being graduate, Tanya has become cognizant of how much of a financial burden an education can be, but also apprehensive of the necessity of education to advance further in a career. Tanya has the hope that KLJ Way will give many youth pursuing degrees the opportunity to follow their desire to learn in a more cost effective manner. It will also provide the opportunity for many within the community to learn of an aspiring individual and be inspired and motivated to build a lasting positive legacy of their own.

Born and raised in Haiti, Godchild made the transition to come to the United States at the age of 18. He met Kearns shortly after his graduation from Salem State University, with his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. As their bond grew to a deeper, Kearns gave Godchild the mentorship he never had during his youth. Presented with a confidant, life coach, fitness trainer, friendship and brother, Godchild received encouragement and insight to his personal goals in life. As Godchild pursues his Master of Science in Management, he continues to carry the many motivational lessons that Kearns inspired in him. Not being provided the opportunity to have a mentor in his youth, and being given the opportunity to experience Kearns, Godchild desires to be a mentor to the students KLJ Way serves. Through his personal experiences he hopes to guide the youth on their individual path of success and through Kearns story, show them the impact they are capable of having on the world around them and beyond.

Jenne received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Chemistry from Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) where she met Kearns. Through their time together at XULA, an unbreakable friendship was created. Inspired by Kearns’ determination, Jenne hopes to influence as many communities through her understanding of past and current issues in society and the black community as a whole. She sees KLJ Way as the proper tool to fully engage and uplift communities that struggle with opportunities for success. With the same resourcefulness and diligence, and support that Kearns provided to many, she envisions KLJ Way providing similar support to communities and simpy showing up just as Kearns did.

Victor attended John D. O’Bryant School of Science & Mathematics and was mentored by Kearns through high school and competed with him in athletics such as Track and Football. Their bond was strengthened through their collegiate years while Victor attended Salem State University. While being a part of Salem State Multicultural Student Association, Victor exercised his talents of art and design through various projects with the club. His goals are to always inspire, captivate, and (insert adjective here) people to follow their dreams as well touching someone’s life. He wants to use his talents for life in the world of technology to influence the generations of new and old. He sees KLJ Way as a stepping stone to give minorities within communities the opportunity that he and Kearns did not have growing up. A favorite lesson learned from Kearns to Victor was, “each one teach one,” which is a lesson he hopes is instilled in all those that follow the KLJ Way.