My name is Lawrence Grayson. I'm a Washington, D.C. carpenter, licensed general contractor, and the founder of Men Empowerment Network Inc. (MEN Inc.) — a new D.C. nonprofit with one mission:

Building Better Men. Stronger Families. Stronger Communities.

Too many young men in our city — especially in underserved neighborhoods like Ward 8 — are trying to become men without mentorship, without a trade, and without a real path to a paycheck. I know, because I was one of them. Carpentry changed my life. Now I'm building the path I wish I'd had — for the next generation.

We're raising $25,000 in working capital to open MEN Inc.'s Carpentry School: a hands-on training program where young men learn real carpentry skills, earn certifications, get connected to jobs and union apprenticeships, and build the discipline and financial literacy to stay on the path long after graduation.

Where your donation goes