Remember your why; often times we work towards something without really understanding our why, which will be tested every step of the way.
As part of my series about “individuals and organizations making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Luke Lawal Jr.
Luke Lawal Jr. is CEO and founder of L & Company, a minority-based corporation in Los Angeles, California. Having founded and established a diverse portfolio of business ventures, he is passionate about entrepreneurship, specifically amongst young professionals, and giving back to his community in an effort to grow the next generation of leaders.Luke’s first foray into entrepreneurship began in 2011 during his undergraduate career at Bowie State University when he founded HBCU Buzz, a promotional and progressive brand created to generate awareness of HBCU collegiate culture. The media outlet provides trends and breaking news about all black colleges and universities by strategically utilizing references from schools, organizations, and media outlets. Named “the most influential brand in the HBCU community,” this platform is the go-to for news for all historically Black colleges and universities. In 2022, Luke was honored at the BET Awards with the “Shine A Light” Award for his efforts to give back to the Black community. Luke is also a Master Mason and a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path? Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
The story starts with a passion to uplift my community and ends with a passion to uplift my community. The brands, projects, and businesses I’ve started all solve a problem within my ecosystem. In the beginning HBCU Buzz was created to fill the void of representation in the media for HBCUs. At the time HBCUs were depicted as negative and irrelevant in mainstream media. (2010). After a few trips to a few campuses, I knew I had to change the narrative. Fast forward HBCU Buzz is the leading source of HBCU news and the most influential brand in the space. The rich black poor black brand is doing the same. The goal is to give our community the fundamentals to obtain financial wealth.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
The story starts with a passion to uplift my community and ends with a passion to uplift my community. The brands, projects, and businesses I’ve started all solve a problem within my ecosystem.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
I remember starting my website I paid someone a large amount of money to launch my news website. Then I quickly realized it took them less than an hour to create it on WordPress. Spent a week learning WordPress on YouTube and I’ve been managing the site ever since.
Can you describe how you or your organization is making a significant social impact?
Our brand is making social impact by strategic story telling. Making sure we our telling the stories of our students and alumni.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
The organization TMCF, was our first client. They supported us from the very beginning. Helping us understand the world of partnerships and how valuable that is to a media brand.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
Yes — Talk more about money. Creating projects to spread fundamental awareness.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
A set of behaviors used to help people align their collective direction with grace and humility.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
Start now; I wasted so much time debating when and how to start. So many lessons I should have learned earlier.
Remember your why; often times we work towards something without really understanding our why, which will be tested every step of the way.
Save 30% personal and business; Didn’t start doing this till it was too late.
Embrace the numbers
Make swift choices; I spent so much time debating things too often end at the same choice. The time in between always cost me.
You have an ongoing partnership with DIAGEO and its brands as part of their Society 2030 initiative and ongoing support of HBCUs with its $10 Million endowment fund. Can you share how DIAGEO’s support of you and your platform has been able to help you further share the stories of the next generation of diverse future leaders?
It’s been an honor to have an ongoing partnership with DIAGEO and its brands in support of my mission with HBCU Buzz, as they continue to honor their commitment to shine a light on the multi-hyphenate and diverse leaders of today and tomorrow. Their Society 2030 initiative his helping to advance the Black & Brown community, with their $10 million endowment fund helping to develop future leaders and help shape a more equitable society. · I was excited to celebrate the release of my new book RICH BLACK, POOR BLACK with CÎROC and DIAGEO to toast to Black excellence. DIAGEO’s plan to foster an inclusive and diverse culture for better business and a better world helps by celebrating how people express themselves in ways that feel true to them. I am humbled for their partnership.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
Eating breakfast daily with your family/community.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
Actions really do speak loader than words.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
Jay Z. — I would want to know how he balanced family, being culturally relevant and financially relevant.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
@luke.lawal on instagram or lukelawal.com
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
Social Impact Heroes: Why & How Luke Lawal of HBCU BUZZ Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.