In many African and Indigenous cultures, the village is the center of learning, stories, traditions, support, and accountability. Children are nurtured and educated, elders share wisdom, culture, and history, and members are taught how each individual is responsible for strengthening the whole village unit.
The Zulu word “Ubuntu” describes a set of closely related African-origin value systems that emphasize the interconnectedness of individuals with their surrounding societal and physical worlds. "Ubuntu" is sometimes translated as "I am because we are"
Many indigenous groups recognize the concept of COMMUNITY before the “one” because what benefits many, benefits each one.
Village Life Project (VLP) seeks to repair the damage to society caused by selfish individual efforts that harm the larger community. Village Life Project partners with concerned stakeholders to realize a nation that thrives when all village members contribute to community wellbeing.
Our mission is to disrupt the preschool to prison pipeline by forwarding the development of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (S. T. E. A. M.) scholarship in the African American populace and providing solutions to contemporary global problems impacting the African Diaspora.
Our core values are excellence, leadership, service, and truth.
In service to humanity, success is not the accomplishment, it is the work. It is the seeking, not the obtaining.
For who can say when one has truly obtained all that God has for us?
Or who can say that they have completely and satisfactorily accomplished the purpose for which they were created?
Success is the consistent effort to advance against overwhelming odds.
The steady rhythmic strides toward a better version of ourselves, demonstrated by moment after moment of service to those around us who suffer need.
The measurement of success offered by the world does not satisfy, for with every level of worldly success, next levels are sought. Yet, in those moments of light in the eyes of the lost, or the recognition of a glimpse of hope in one who has struggled with hopelessness, complete transformation has yet to be grasped, and still progress can be claimed as success. We have yet to obtain the full accomplishment of our purposeful endeavor, yet still we rejoice in the journey that has taken us from there to here.
Success is in peace, service to humanity, unity, sacrifice, and giving of self, however that may look.
Consider the lives of Mother Theresa, Ghandi, and Martin Luther King. None of them abolished the injustice that they faced. There are still the poor and poverty stricken, there is still classism and racism. Yet, I would argue that each of these individuals found success.
Success is found in the realization that we should not live these lives in pursuit of our own fulfillment. No, on the contrary, our lives are successful when we give all for our neighbor. Those like us, and those with whom we struggle to find commonality.
Success is being, the very act of being peace, joy, hope, and light, while encouraging and allowing others to also be peace, joy, hope, and light.
For life is not breathing, life is knowing purpose and remaining on your purposeful path!
Rev. Dr. Martin L. Lawson- CEO
Our CEO is well aware of the challenges that face marginalized youth, families, and communities of color. In 1999, after 10 years of addiction, homelessness, and periods of incarceration, Martin was able overcome the many barriers that hinder citizens who seem to have been written off by some corners of society. He has since dedicated his life to working for equity, justice, and economic stability for individuals and communities that have been disenfranchised and denied access to critical resources and opportunities. He has become a beacon of hope and inspiration and an example of the potential present in all persons.
Reverend Dr. Martin L. Lawson currently serves as the CEO of The Village Life Project non-profit organization. In this role Rev Lawson provides organizational oversight while creating and maintaining partnerships with community stakeholders committed to repairing the harms caused by generations of systemic injustice and oppression. Rev Lawson is also a gifted instructor and assists in the facilitation of Village Life Project programming. In service to grass root organizations he provides business consultation, grant writing, and contract management services, and facilitates business and corporate trainings. Reverend Dr. Martin L. Lawson is one of the architects of the Seattle Community Safety Initiative and the author of the published work My Brother’s Keeper: A Warriors Tale.
Reverend Lawson was ordained at Seattle’s Mt. Zion Baptist Church (2011). He completed his Bachelor of Arts in Theology and Religious Studies with Departmental Honors at Seattle University (2011) and received his Master of Divinity from Wake Forest University School of Divinity (2014), where he matriculated as a Wait Scholar. Finally, Rev. Lawson received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology (2021) where he was the recipient of the 2021 Award of Excellence.
Henterson Carlisle- Program Director
Henterson is a Seattle native who has always been a champion for students from marginalized communities. Henterson is a strong believer that belonging, resilience, empowerment and education and economic opportunities are vital for community to thrive. He has worked tirelessly to have a positive impact on all those he engages with. Henterson comes with over 23 years of public-school education. Henterson’s work with communities that are underserved and marginalized span longer than the 23 years of education.