Luke Anthony Lawal Jr. (born June 15, 1989) is an American entrepreneur from Washington, D.C. He is the founder and CEO of HBCU Buzz, a media outlet with a primary focus on HBCUs.[1] In 2016 he was recognized at #96 on The Root’s 100 Black Influencers List.[2]

Luke Lawal Jr.
Born
Luke Anthony Lawal Jr.

(1989-06-15) June 15, 1989 (age 35)
NationalityAmerican
Alma materBowie State University
OccupationEntrepreneur
Organization(s)L & Company, HBCU Buzz, Taper
Websitelukelawal.com

Early life

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Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Lawal attended Bladensburg High School. He attended Bowie State University where he became a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity and received a degree in biochemistry in 2012.[3] His mother also attended an HBCU as a double alumnus of Howard University.[4]

Career

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Lawal first began working on HBCU Buzz in 2009 after attending a Bowie State Student Government Association trip to Florida A&M.[5] With a few of his colleagues, Lawal expanded HBCU Buzz to incorporate all HBCU campuses.[6] Sometime after making an online blog, he created an HBCU store, HBCU Awards, and a print HBCU Buzz Magazine.[7] Leading up to the United States presidential election, Luke launched HBCU Buzz's video content and brand extensions with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, HBCUs for Obama, and political on-campus events across the nation. Following this campaign, Al Sharpton recognized Luke at #29 on the Top 30 Under 30 for the DMV.[8] In 2016 he partnered with Black Enterprise to better serve the needs of the black community.[9] Following that partnership, Lawal founded L & Company, an integrated marketing and consulting agency that oversees HBCU Buzz.[10]

References

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  1. ^ Hall, Mia (17 October 2016). "HBCU Grads Offer Advice for First Year Students". NBC News. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  2. ^ "The Root 100, 2016". The Root. 27 September 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  3. ^ "A BRAND ARCHITECT WITH A VISION FOR THE FUTURE AND AN EYE FOR TAILORED SUITS". ShineHardFamily. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  4. ^ "Luke Lawal Jr. ('12) named to The Root's Top 100 most influential African Americans". Bowie State. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  5. ^ Connley, Courtney (4 March 2016). "How Two Young Professionals Built a Platform for HBCU Students and Graduates to Stay Connected". Black Enterprise. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  6. ^ Workneh, Lilly (21 September 2016). "If You're Mad About Kaepernick And Silent About Cops Killing Black Lives, Do Better". Huffington Post. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  7. ^ Gibson, Garrick (22 June 2012). "Alumni Spotlight: Luke Lawal, Jr. – CEO of HBCU Buzz". HBCU Lifestyle. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  8. ^ Sharpton, Al (February 2014). "DMV's Top 30 Under 30 2014". KYSDC. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  9. ^ "Black Enterprise Partners with HBCU Buzz". Black Enterprise. 15 April 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  10. ^ Jules, Kerline (11 February 2017). "Top 35 Millennial Influencers Honored by Global Non-Profit Social Movement". Kjulesproject. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
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