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Community Voices

Get to know U.S. Navy Reserve Electrician’s Mate Second Class Laurent Azonnadou

NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS | By Beatrice Bonner

Published August 19, 2025 at 9:24 AM CDT

A picture of Laurent Azonnadou in his U.S. Navy Reserve — Electrician’s Mate Second Class Laurent Azonnadou, a member of Navy Reserve Center St. Louis, Mo.

As a young boy, Laurent Azonnadou dreamed of wearing a uniform and working on a boat. Today, he serves as an electrician's mate in the U.S. Navy Reserve. He spoke with Community Voices about his journey from Cotonou, Benin, West Africa, to Springfield, Illinois, and about giving back to the community through mentoring French-speaking immigrants and directing a nonprofit soccer league.