Dr. Lawrence Supporting Fashion Moving Youth Forward in D.C.

Washington, DC, June 10, 2014 --(PR.com)-- LEAP Foundation DC, led by Chairman Dr. Clayton G. Lawrence, has been actively supporting the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center (SETLC) through the Recreation Wish List Committee (RWCL) since 2013. Both organizations harness the power of youth activities to encourage young people to stay in school, attend college, and pursue their dreams. One of several academic enrichment programs that the SETLC offers to its youth participants is the entrepreneurial fashion program, Sew N Know, which teaches students the skills associated with fashion design, along with the business skills needed to market and manage their creations. Dr. Lawrence, with an affinity for the arts and true passion for fashion, was the guest speaker at Sew N Know’s 7th Annual Fashion Show that took place on Saturday, June 7th.

Founded by Ms. Janice Rankins, a 40-year veteran of the fashion and costume design industry, Sew N Know was established to help students hone academic skills in a creative and engaging manner, especially those looking to pursue careers in fashion and design. Rankins found her way into the world of fashion at the age of 13, when she participated in a summer work program for disadvantaged youth where she first learned how to sew. She would then work summers in the Universal Studios’ wardrobe department, later work on the Lawrence Welk Show during college, and eventually graduate from the California Institute of Arts with a degree in costume design. When Rankins speaks about what she feels her program does for area youth she states, “By starting with design, my students are learning to visualize themselves in the future. In doing so, they are learning how to make a goal and stay on track.”

Dr. Lawrence and his non-profit organization, LEAP Foundation DC, know all about working to help students set goals and stay on the path towards success. Coming from humble means himself, Dr. Lawrence was taught the importance of education at a very early age, and that, along with his interest in fashion and his entrance into the world of modeling in the mid 90’s, have culminated into a variety of opportunities and successes in his personal and professional life. At the end of 2013, Lawrence released an autobiographical account of his life called The Sum of My Success, which details his roles as a doctor, executive, athlete, and model, and how each of these roles come together to fulfill each of his lifelong dreams and passions.

“The work that LEAP Foundation DC has been able to do with incredible organizations like the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center and the Recreation Wish List Committee have helped us impact the lives of hundreds of youth in the D.C. area,” Lawrence said. “Our participation in Sew N Know is a very special event to me because I can directly relate to Janice Rankin’s love of fashion and only having the chance to be involved in the world of fashion because of others providing me with opportunities that I may not have been able to come by on my own. We must continue to inspire young people to follow the things that they are passionate about as we push them towards lifelong success. Sew N Know is a program that does this on a daily basis and one that will undoubtedly transform the lives of so many students throughout the greater D.C. area for years to come.”