Bennett Olupo was raised in Shakopee, Minnesota, and attended the University of Minnesota, where he studied biology and Spanish.

Following graduation, Bennett taught physics and chemistry at Loyola High School in Los Angeles. During this time, he developed strong connections with his students and worked to create a holistic educational experience.

He later earned a Master of Urban Education from Loyola Marymount University, where he researched the experiences and effects of Black male educators in the United States school system.

Outside of his professional work, Bennett enjoys hiking and surfing, experiences that have strengthened his appreciation for the natural world.

After the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bennett returned to Minnesota and became increasingly involved in community work.

He joined the Shakopee Board of Adjustment and Appeals, the Shakopee Diversity Alliance Board, and worked as a substitute teacher in his hometown.

In Longfellow, South Minneapolis, Bennett helped organize a hardship fund through the Longfellow Community Council to provide residents with rental assistance.

He also created the “Reclaiming the Outdoors” project, working with predominantly BIPOC organizations and an anti-recidivism nonprofit to build Leopold benches from repurposed wood for community gardens and bird-watching spaces.

Bennett also participated in canvassing and community conversations focused on redeveloping a former 3rd Precinct building as a community-oriented site.

Bennett later attended the Yale School of the Environment to refine his professional skills, deepen his understanding of environmental studies, and learn how to implement regenerative practices within communities.

At Yale, he focused on food sovereignty and sustainable development.

During the summer of 2023, Bennett volunteered at CANDO in Minneapolis to better understand food sovereignty in the city.

His work included installing raised beds, preserving heirloom crops, interviewing community members about their experiences growing food, and exploring urban agriculture and community resilience.

He also created a documentary focused on urban agriculture and Minneapolis's resilience following the 2020 Uprising, wrote policy memos promoting food sovereignty, and became a board member at Project Sweetie Pie

Bennett's interests extend beyond environmental work.

His interest in the African Diaspora led him to develop connections with communities working to better understand and reshape global affairs through Reopening and Reimagining Africa, alongside Ambassador Harry Thomas.

At Yale, Bennett served as president of the Forestry Club and president of ROOTS, while also serving on the Southern Africa Committee.

He also founded a graduate-undergraduate advising program for Black students.

These experiences have strengthened his ability to build connections, empower others, and advocate for himself and his communities.

Bennett has experience with reparative investing, environmental programming, food sovereignty, and community development.

His work has included collaborations with Black Farmer Fund and Potlikker Capital, large-scale event planning with the Gardens of Golden Gate Park, and participation in the Environmental Fellows Program offered through Dr. DeRoe Taylor's Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Sustainability Initiative (JEDS) Lab at Yale School of the Environment.

Across these experiences, Bennett has worked at the intersection of education, sustainability, environmental justice, and community development.

Bennett's work is ultimately centered around creating a more equitable and sustainable future.

By combining education, environmental stewardship, food sovereignty, and community leadership, he seeks to help communities become more resilient while strengthening people's relationships with their environment and one another.