We recently connected with Lamar Purnell and have shared our conversation below.

Lamar , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?

As the CEO and co-founder of Live Benevolent, I hope my legacy will be defined by the profound impact we’ve made on mental health awareness and community well-being, particularly in underserved communities. Growing up in an underserved community and navigating the challenges of being a law student, I have been acutely aware of the systemic barriers preventing individuals from accessing the care and support they need. This personal journey has deeply influenced my mission and the work we do at Live Benevolent.

I envision a world where mental health is openly discussed, understood, and supported without stigma. I aspire for Live Benevolent to be at the forefront of this movement, creating a safe space for individuals to share their stories, seek help, and thrive. Our holistic approach to mental health care, which addresses not just the symptoms but the root causes, is something I am incredibly proud of, and I hope it will be a lasting part of my legacy.

My legacy will be one of compassion and empowerment, reflecting our commitment to breaking down the barriers that prevent access to mental health services. I want to be remembered for our efforts to make mental health care accessible and equitable for all, especially those in underserved communities like the one I came from.

Additionally, I hope my legacy includes the values of authenticity and integrity. At Live Benevolent, we have built a company where showing up as your true self is encouraged and celebrated, and where ethical practices are never compromised. This culture of honesty and genuine connection is something I strive to maintain and pass on.

My legacy should also highlight the strong, supportive community we’ve cultivated, both within our organization and in the broader community. Our dedication to employee appreciation and development ensures that everyone who works with us feels valued and inspired to make a difference. This supportive environment has been crucial in attracting like-minded individuals who share our vision and are committed to making a positive impact.

Ultimately, I want my legacy to be one of positive, lasting change—where the efforts of Live Benevolent have significantly improved lives, brought communities together, and set a new standard for how we approach mental health and well-being in society. I hope to be remembered as someone who, despite the odds, leveraged his background as a law student from an underserved community to build an organization that champions mental health and supports those who need it most.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Lamar Purnell, and I started Live Benevolent alongside my business partner, Lavell Allen because I wanted to be a part of the change I envisioned for my community.

I was raised in the inner city of Baltimore, and I have watched many individuals suffer from poverty, drug abuse, violence, and many other painful things.

Many fail to realize the long-lasting effects of enduring these struggles, which take an immense toll on mental health and development. I realized that individuals in my community, including myself, acted as if these things we experienced were normal and never sought professional help. We were taught to just get through it and deal with it because it is normal; it is life. Since this trauma goes unaddressed, the effects of it continue to be passed down from generation to generation.

I have been a victim of passed down effects of trauma and unaddressed poor mental health. For generations, my family has endured the “normal” struggles previously mentioned. Even my entrance into this world was riddled with difficulties. I was a preterm infant born at five months that weighed two pounds eleven ounces, and the odds of my survival were slim.

A few weeks after my birth, I was stable and doing okay. Because of this, my mother was able to breathe a little easier until she found out her teenage son was murdered. He was a victim of gun violence, as many young men in our city still are today. The agony of these events haunted her and caused her to desperately search for an escape from her suffering. Feeling as if she had nowhere to turn for comfort, she began using drugs. The most hurtful thing about all of this was that it was normal. Most people in our community would not bat an eye at this because it is so common to lose loved ones to gun violence and live with substance abuse.

I am someone who wholeheartedly believes that everyone has control over their future, but l have had many despairing nights. Nights when I cried because I felt like I did not have control and could not do anything about my circumstances. I felt as if I was cursed and doomed to the same misery as everyone I knew. Nonetheless, I prayed, and I grind harder than I ever thought I could to beat the odds that were stacked against me. I told myself I would never be a VICTIM of my circumstances but a CHAMPION of them.

Eight years ago, my friends and I were inspired by the community we felt was severely neglected, and that’s when the idea of Live Benevolent was created. We wanted to help make a difference because we knew what it was like to feel lost, hopeless, and hurt. Fast forward to today, I am still carrying the same vision and doing what I can to help the community. Through Live Benevolent, we can tackle many of the issues our community has been facing for generations.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

My advice for managing a team and maintaining high morale is centered around several key principles: understanding team strengths, fostering open communication, providing autonomy, recognizing efforts, and establishing trust.

1. Assess Team Strengths and Weaknesses:
First, you want to assess your team’s strengths and weaknesses. As a leader, it’s easy to get caught up in the end goal and doing whatever it takes to get there. However, the method you take to reach your goal is just as important as accomplishing it. Utilize your team to the best of their abilities and maximize their time and effort. In the past, I found myself expecting high-quality performance from my employees on tasks they weren’t fully equipped to handle. It’s our job to be critical when assigning tasks, playing to their strengths, and getting the most out of their skills.

2. Foster Open Communication:
Encourage a culture where team members feel comfortable sharing their ideas, concerns, and feedback. Regular team meetings, one-on-one check-ins, and open-door policies ensure everyone feels heard and valued. Transparency about company goals, challenges, and successes keeps everyone aligned and motivated.

3. Provide Autonomy:
It’s important to make sure your team feels like what they do matters and that they directly impact the organization’s success. This sense of ownership helps them feel important beyond their daily tasks, keeping them motivated and fulfilled. Before starting my own business, I loved the organization I worked for but felt unfulfilled and like I wasn’t contributing to its success. Providing autonomy can help prevent such feelings in your team.

4. Recognize and Reward Efforts:
Acknowledge the hard work and achievements of your team members regularly. This can be through formal recognition programs, shout-outs in meetings, cash incentives, team outings, or additional hybrid days. It’s important to show your team that you appreciate everything they do and that it doesn’t go unnoticed. For instance, we encourage our team to give each other kudos for exceptional work, which we then highlight and reward during staff meetings.

5. Establish Trust:
Maintaining high morale requires establishing trust. If trust is established, your team will trust that everything will be okay, even when things go wrong. My business partner and I establish trust by ensuring our team has a seat at the table when making decisions. This shows that we value their input and are committed to making the best-informed decisions.

Additionally, investing in professional development and promoting a healthy work-life balance are crucial. Providing opportunities for growth and ensuring that your team feels supported both professionally and personally can significantly enhance their overall morale and commitment to the company’s vision.

Remember, a motivated and happy team is the cornerstone of any successful organization. By fostering a supportive and engaging work environment, you lay the groundwork for sustained success and innovation.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I believe several key factors have contributed to building our reputation within the market. These include storytelling, community involvement, authenticity, employee appreciation, commitment to our mission, exceptional customer service, innovative solutions, transparency, and strong leadership.

1. Storytelling:
Storytelling has been a vital tool for us, allowing us to connect with the community on a deeper level. By sharing our personal experiences about mental health and our everyday struggles, we aim to break the stigma surrounding mental health and let people know it is okay to seek help. This approach has humanized our brand and fostered a sense of relatability and trust.

2. Community Involvement:
Community involvement has been crucial as it enables us to understand how we can best support the community based on their actual needs, rather than our assumptions. By actively participating in local events and supporting charitable initiatives, we have stayed true to our holistic approach to providing services and strengthened our connection with the community.

3. Authenticity:
At Live Benevolent, we show up as our true selves every day. Being authentic has allowed us to connect with people from all walks of life, creating deep, long-lasting relationships not only with our clients but also with our employees. This authenticity is a cornerstone of our brand and has greatly contributed to our reputation.

4. Employee Appreciation:
Showing our employees how much we appreciate them has significantly increased company morale and staffing. In an industry often plagued by staffing shortages, we are attracting more qualified candidates who share our vision, thanks to our employees spreading the word about our positive work environment. This has been a game-changer for us, ensuring we have a dedicated and motivated team.

5. Commitment to Our Mission:
Our unwavering commitment to our mission of fostering community well-being and promoting benevolence has resonated with our audience and set us apart. This clear and consistent focus has earned us the trust and respect of our community.

6. Exceptional Customer Service:
Providing exceptional customer service is a cornerstone of our success. We prioritize the needs and satisfaction of our clients, ensuring every interaction is positive and every concern is addressed promptly. This focus has led to strong word-of-mouth referrals and loyal clientele.

7. Innovative Solutions:
Innovation has been key to our growth. We constantly seek new ways to improve our services and address the evolving needs of our clients. Staying ahead of industry trends and implementing cutting-edge solutions has established us as leaders in the market.

8. Transparency and Integrity:
Building a reputation of trust requires transparency and integrity in all our dealings. We are open and honest with our clients, partners, and employees, building long-term, trustworthy relationships. This ethical approach has helped us gain the confidence of our stakeholders.

9. Strong Leadership and Team:
Our reputation reflects the strong leadership and dedicated team behind Live Benevolent. My co-founder and I lead by example, fostering a culture of excellence, compassion, and collaboration. Our team’s dedication is evident in the quality of our services and the positive feedback we receive.

In summary, our reputation within the market has been built on a foundation of storytelling, community involvement, authenticity, employee appreciation, mission-driven focus, exceptional customer service, innovation, transparency, and strong leadership. These elements have combined to create a strong, positive image of Live Benevolent, helping us grow and succeed in our industry.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.livebenevolent.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livebenevolent_md/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/livebenevolent