Leonard Hammonds II is a United States Marine Corps veteran and Founder of Hammonds Initiative. He is also a recognized presence in the community for his years of activism, advocacy, philanthropy, and leadership. He is a 2018 Leadership Pittsburgh CLCV (Community Leadership Course for Veterans) Cohort V graduate, and 2019 Leadership Pittsburgh Lead Now Pittsburgh II Fellow.

Hammonds is the District Office Director for State Representative Jake Wheatley Jr. in the 19^th Legislative District of Western Pennsylvania.  He is also a Community Builder with BMe Community.  As Community Builder, Leonard is driven by his passion to serve, whether it is country or community.

Hammonds has gone on to earn various awards and proclamations for his work. He has received proclamations from State Representatives Ed Gainey, Jake Wheatley Jr., and Anthony Deluca.  A few of his awards include 2021 Marlon J. Lucas “Love is Action” Community Humanitarian Award, 2018 VBC Veteran of the Era Award, 2018 BMe Black Genius Fellowship Award, 2018 Passion Meets the Road Entrepreneur Award , 2018 CEA Nation Building Award, and 2017 New Pittsburgh Courier Men of Excellence Award, amongst several others.

Hammonds serves on various boards and committees including President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper Alliance Committee in Pittsburgh, and the Heinz Endowments Just Arts Advisory Committee.

Leonard is married to LaShaundra Hammonds and has two beautiful children, Leonard J. Hammonds III and Camilla Hammonds.