Mentorship & personal development
Positive male relationships, goal-setting, accountability, confidence, and decision-making.
Mens Empowerment Network · Washington, D.C.
Building Better Men. Stronger Families. Stronger Communities.
We connect young men with mentors, practical skills, career pathways, and the relationships they need to build lasting stability.
Mentorship rooted in purpose, work, and community
Our mission
A stronger future starts with a steady path forward.
Mens Empowerment Network supports young men—especially those from underserved and inner-city D.C. communities—as they move from uncertainty toward skills, employment, entrepreneurship, financial growth, and leadership.
We believe young men thrive when opportunity is matched with accountability, guidance, and real relationships.
01
Mentor the whole man
Personal development and positive male relationships come before any single job title.
02
Connect learning to opportunity
Training should lead to recognized skills, certifications, work, or business ownership.
03
Build for the long term
Transportation, financial literacy, stability, and leadership help progress last.
Who we are
Rooted in Ward 8. Built for what comes next.
Lawrence E. Grayson Sr. — Founder & President
Lawrence E. Grayson Sr. is a D.C. contractor, carpenter, and lifelong Ward 8 man. He founded Mens Empowerment Network to build practical pathways for young men through mentorship, skilled trades, work, entrepreneurship, and long-term stability.
Our leadership
Mens Empowerment Network Inc. is a District of Columbia nonprofit corporation formed September 25, 2026.
Lawrence E. Grayson Sr.President
Winston HarrisonVice President
Tammy PetersonSecretary
Men Pathways
From first contact to becoming the next mentor.
Men Pathways is our connected support model. Each stage prepares a young man for the next—without losing sight of the person behind the plan.
1. ConnectOutreach, intake, and a clear understanding of each young man's goals.
2. GroundMentorship, assessment, accountability, and personal development.
3. PrepareWork readiness, life skills, financial literacy, and dependable routines.
4. TrainSkilled-trades exposure, education, certifications, and hands-on practice.
5. AdvanceEmployment, union opportunity, entrepreneurship, and transportation support.
6. LeadLong-term stability, community leadership, and mentoring the next man.
Start student intake
Interested in the carpentry school or another Men Pathways opportunity? Tell us about your goals to begin the intake conversation.
Where we focus
Practical support. Real direction.
Our focus areas are designed to work together—because a job is stronger when the person, the plan, and the support system are strong too.
Skilled trades & certification
Exposure to carpentry and other trades, hands-on learning, and routes toward recognized credentials.
Workforce & entrepreneurship
Job readiness, employer connections, union pathways, business fundamentals, and professional habits.
Stability & financial growth
Financial literacy, transportation support, planning, and the tools to sustain progress.
Carpentry School / Men Pathways
Start your student intake.
Interested in carpentry training or joining Men Pathways? Share a few details so our team can learn about your goals and contact you about the program.
What happens next: Submit the form on this page. A MEN Inc. team member will follow up using the phone number or email you provide.
Thank you. Your intake form was received.
MEN Inc. will use the contact information you provided to follow up about the Carpentry School and Men Pathways.
Every strong pathway needs people willing to walk it with someone.
Mentors, tradespeople, employers, community partners, and founding supporters can all help create the next opportunity.
- Volunteer your time or professional experience
- Host a workshop or workplace visit
- Offer training, certification, or employment pathways
- Support transportation, tools, or program needs
Support the mission
Help build the next pathway.
MEN Inc. is a D.C. nonprofit corporation preparing its 501(c)(3) application, so contributions are not yet tax-deductible.
Contact
Let's build the next opportunity.
Phone
(202) 946-9600
Address
2828 Buena Vista Terrace SE, #2
Washington, DC 20020
Washington, DC 20020
Website
mensinc.org
“A stronger man can strengthen a family. Strong families can transform a community.”
Mens Empowerment Network is building a D.C.-rooted network of guidance, skill, access, and responsibility.