Meet The Dream Team

As Founder and Visionary Designer of Gaston Gear Designer Clothes, we are dedicated to creating unique, one of a kind, bespoke wearable art; to reflect and empower the wearer's cultural individuality. This Spirit was nurtured through constant involvement in Community Service and Seattle Public Schools, in the Arts and Outdoor Education Departments. I served as Public Relations Director for Seattle Chapter of National Council Of Negro Women and for Oscar Productions Film Workshop. Oscar Productions was a Non-Profit Organization, mentoring Inner City Youth in Design, Script Writing, Cinematography, Graphic Arts, and Film Making. Through Oscar Productions, I assisted in negotiation a contract with KOMO TV to Produce a weekly Public Service TV Series called "Action Inner City". This Series was totally Produced, Written, Directed and Hosted by Community Students of Oscar Productions.  Dedication to Community, Arts and Culture has created in me a lasting appreciation and desire for Creativity and Cultural Arts within the Community. My desire is to be a Blessing to VC Bynum Arts.

Vernet Clemons Nettles, Ed.D. is a parent, author, retired educator, speaker, and writing coach. Born in Mobile, AL, she currently resides in Montgomery, AL. Dr. Nettles has served in various capacities of church service, including Youth Department advisor, Sunday school and Bible Study teacher, and Director of Christian Education. Since 2014, she has shared daily original prayers on her website Another Day’s Journey - www.vcndailypray.com. The scriptures and prayers focus on spiritual growth and connecting with God. A published author since 2018, Dr. Nettles writes in multiple genres, including devotionals, inspirational, journals, poetry, and children’s books. Professionally, Dr. Nettles worked in two of the largest school systems in Alabama, and in the state’s department of education. Having worked in education since 1990, Dr, Nettles’ positions included Federal Programs Director, in which she managed multiple categories of federal funds and programs for the school district; and Personnel Evaluation Specialist, in which she facilitated and oversaw the implementation of the certified and classified evaluation systems.

Laura A. Cook is the Founder and current CEO of Special Moments. Laura A. Cook is the Founder and current CEO of Special Moments. After working in management for 17 years for a Fortune 500 Transportation Company - UPS, she decided to take time off and focus her energy on raising her two young boys. Being a true entrepreneur at heart, three years later she shifted gears and expanded her focus to include her true passions in life: travel, event planning and children. Inspired by her passions, Laura decided to form an organization that would include all three. In November 2011, Special Moments, a nonprofit organization for children, was formed. Prior to entering the corporate world, Laura was the sole proprietor of LAKEnterprises her private parent company. She also owned the retail store, The Joint and was an authorized dealer for Forty Acres and A Mule merchandise, along with other brands. In addition to merchandising, she specialized in urban promotions, and helped create and market the branded merchandise for John Singleton's movie, Boyz N the Hood while working with Happi Nappi Wear. Laura attended the University of Washington and received her BA in Political Science in 1990. She was also a participant in the Woodrow Wilson Fellowship Program and attended the University of Texas at Austin's LBJ School and then UW's Graduate School of Public Affairs where she received her (MPA) Master in Public Administration, with an emphasis in Public Management, in 1993. Laura now looks forward to serving disadvantaged children and making a difference in their lives via the services provided by Special Moments. Laura believes Special Moments, "Transform lives and memories, one child at a time."

Danuelle Tucker is a middle school technology teacher in Norfolk, Virginia. Danuelle has loved dancing since childhood. She and her three sisters would create and perform dances in their family living room. One of her sisters was very gifted in dance but she did not have a place to grow and develop her talent. As a third-generation educator, Danuelle is an eager supporter of the work VCBynum Arts and Education is doing to provide a place for people to explore, grow and develop their love of dance and movement.

Born in Buffalo, NY, Brandon Bynum spent seven years in upstate New York before his family relocated to Detroit, Michigan. After four years in Detroit, his family relocated to Plano, Texas, just north of Dallas. After graduating from Plano Senior High School in 1988, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering from Princeton University in 1992. He later earned a Masters degree in Software Engineering from Seattle University in 1997. Following three internships (including two at Microsoft), Brandon started as a Software Development Engineer in Test in the Developer Division at Microsoft Corporation in Redmond, Washington. During his 32 year career at Microsoft he has worked on and shipped a wide variety of developer products frameworks and served in a wide variety of roles. He is currently the software engineering manager for the Develop Division data pipeline as well as a variety of developer-oriented AI/machine learning projects. Following three internships (including two at Microsoft), Brandon started as a Software Development Engineer in Test in the Developer Division at Microsoft Corporation in Redmond, Washington. During his 32 year career at Microsoft he has worked on and shipped a wide variety of developer products frameworks and served in a wide variety of roles. He is currently the software engineering manager for the Develop Division data pipeline as well as a variety of developer-oriented AI/machine learning projects.

Bio coming soon!