Jamaal D. Lathan is more than a community advocate—he’s a catalyst for change. As the CEO and founder of Empowering Lives with a Purpose, a mission-driven Houston nonprofit and 501(c)(3) organization, Lathan has dedicated his life to uplifting underprivileged students and families throughout the Houston area. What began in 2017 as a simple community service drive has grown into a dynamic initiative providing resources, mentorship, and hope to those who need it most. Through his unwavering commitment, Lathan continues to turn compassion into action, empowering lives one family at a time.
Lathan recently sat down with d-mars.com Business Journal to discuss his journey, his mission, and the impact of Empowering Lives with a Purpose.
How can people join your initiative and other ways that they can help?
Those who are willing to help can either make donations online at www.empoweringliveswithapurpose.com or lend a helping hand with community service.
Name of your organization and how did your organization get started? When?
My name is Jamaal D. Lathan, I am the CEO and founder of Empowering Lives with a Purpose which is a mission-driven 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that has been uplifting and empowering underprivileged students and families in the Houston area since 2017. In 2017, I founded Empowering Lives with a Purpose, starting with a community service drive that evolved into a comprehensive program dedicated to assisting underprivileged students and families in the City of Houston.
What are your primary goals?
At the core of our goals and mission is a deep belief that every child, regardless of their background or economic status, deserves the opportunity to thrive. We are committed to equipping students with the essential tools, resources and support they need to step confidently into their future. We invest in the community not only with supplies but with hope, encouragement, and a belief in each student’s potential to succeed. We measure our success by the lives we touch, the futures we help shape, and the barriers we break together. With the unwavering support of our dedicated volunteers and generous sponsors, we continue to set bold goals- knowing that real change begins when we work hand-in hand to uplift those in need.
Empowering Lives with a Purpose exists to inspire, equip, and walk alongside the youth of today- so they can become leaders tomorrow.
What members of the community do you target?
Empowering Lives with a Purpose targets and focuses on underprivileged students, schools and families within the community. We target schools in the City of Houston with a large number of lower income students called Title 1 schools. We are targeting these schools because it’s been an ongoing issue within the City of Houston school districts that campuses with high concentrations of low-income children are being short changed. Studies have shown that many districts within the City of Houston aren’t paying their fair share of local and state funds to those schools, so campuses with fewer poor children end up receiving more of the money. Campuses with a larger amount of lower income students have been suffering for years due to this ongoing issue.
What are the activities you do throughout the year?
Empowering Lives with a Purpose sponsors an annual Back to School Drive every year which is supported by the City of Houston, Houston City Council (District H) Mario Castillo, and the Houston Public Library. The Back to School Drive helps those lower income students start off the school year with a fresh start. We also assist students and families throughout the school as well. We have an annual Fall Festival which consists of students coming out enjoying music, food, drinks, games and haunted houses. We also have a Winter Toy Drive where we sponsor students and families that’s less fortunate with toys and clothes to help bring holiday cheer to those that’s in need. And we also have an annual Spring Festival where we have a big celebration within the community where we provide food, music, and games for students and families.
What are some major impacts you feel you’ve made?
Since 2017, Empowering Lives with a Purpose has been a beacon of hope for underprivileged students and families across Houston. What started as local outreach in the Aldine Independent School District has evolved into a far-reaching movement – now impacting thousands within Houston ISD and beyond. We have empowered over 1,000 plus students and families through direct aid and support programs. We have expanded from one school district to serving multiple areas across Houston. We’ve also partnered with the University of Houston Downtown Basic Needs Center to extend holiday support to other disadvantaged children, furthering our mission to bring hope and joy to those in need.
What are major goals for you in the future?
Empowering Lives with a Purpose future looks so bright. We are looking to start a scholarship program to help assist high school graduating students that’s in need to be able to further their education and go to college. We are also looking to keep expanding and combating the needs and issues for lowered income students and families within the Houston area.
How can people join your initiative and other ways that they can help?
Those who are willing to help can either make donations online at www.empoweringliveswithapurpose.com or lend a helping hand with community service.
