At the Heart of the Matter: A Life of Service
Philanthropy is not just a passion for Ms. Georges-Lane—it is at the core of who she is. Whether it’s through her involvement in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, mentoring young women, forming community partnerships, or fulfilling countless sponsorship commitments, her dedication to giving back to communities is unwavering. As a successful African-American woman navigating the Western world, Georges-Lane understands the importance of being an ally and uplifting others—especially women and young girls.
Her purpose is clear: to serve with intention, make a lasting impact, and always strive for excellence.
Rooted in her Haitian-American heritage, Laury Georges-Lane has always been immersed in a rich cultural background. However, she knew her purpose went beyond her family and community. Even as a young girl, she felt destined to do something special—a life of continued service.
Years later, after taking an ancestry test and marveling at the results, Georges-Lane set her sights on Africa, specifically West Africa. Her deep-rooted faith, which she always acknowledges, and profound business expansion opportunities, led her to Senegal. The country surpassed her expectations with its warm and welcoming people, vibrant culture, rich traditions, culinary pride, thriving business landscape, and the “Teranga” (hospitality) atmosphere. After nearly half a dozen visits, she found herself emotionally connected to the West African country.
Senegal captured her heart, and Georges-Lane felt compelled to do more than simply visit. She wanted to give back to the country in the same way it had enriched her life. Through her consultancy, LGL Consulting and Executive Advisory Group—International, which promotes service to the communities driving her business engagements, she committed to a mission of philanthropy.
Her focus: supporting women, young girls, and education.
The Village of Sipane, Thies Region, Senegal
Through her strategic business partner in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, Georges-Lane met the son-in-law of the village chief in the small village of Sipane. It was during her visit in November 2023 that she decided to adopt the village, seizing the moment to make a real difference.
Sipane is home to approximately 400 residents and includes around 175 primary school-aged children. During her tour of the village, she saw an elementary school situated at the center of a six-building compound. Instantly, she knew this was her mission: to focus her efforts on improving the lives of women, girls, and the education system in the village.
In the months that followed, Georges-Lane, village leaders, and a local construction crew broke ground in January 2024 to renovate the elementary school. Joined by her daughter and parents, Georges-Lane led by example, showing the importance of giving selflessly—not just monetarily, but through active involvement in meaningful work. “I believe that a well-lived life is about cultivating a sense of global citizenship, where individuals understand and empathize with the concerns of humanity at large,” she reflected.
Throughout the renovation process, representatives from LGL visited the village on her behalf to monitor progress and deliver essential supplies like poultry, grains, and other goods to support the community’s day-to-day needs.
In August 2024, the school renovation was completed. And Ms. Georges-Lane returned for the reveal, where the community celebrated with traditional dancing and singing. Village leaders gave speeches of heartfelt gratitude, and the keys to the school were handed over to the director as a symbol of a hopeful future. During the ceremony, the village of Sipane honored Georges-Lane by naming her the “Godmother” of the village.
More Africans across the Continent and in the diaspora need to emulate great visions like these, as they emphasize the need for Africans all over the world to connect with their roots by contributing their quota to the development of less-privileged African communities.
Global African Times is proud to be associated with Ms. Goerges-Lane, a beacon of Philanthropy not only in Africa but across the world.
Stay tuned for more from Ms. Georges-Lane
