#1 TOP 10 KINGDOM MEN
Outside of the Gunnery Sergeant Chevron encrusted camouflage MARPAT uniform, Lawrence E. Dean II is known to the world as “Life.” A philanthropic poet from Conway, South Carolina, Life’s “from projects to the pulpit, 1 or 1 million” approach to poetry has labeled him an internationally acclaimed Spoken Word Artist. His fiery heart felt life influenced delivery has made a way for him to share his gift on a host of stages at various universities, churches, prisons, projects, and corners around the world bringing inspirational and socially conscience material to wherever there is need.
In 2007, Life 911 inspired “And She Called… “YouTube video was sent to Fox News in the attempt for a fiber optics company owner to get in contact with Life and thank him for the piece because he had been using the video as a motivational tool for employees at his company. Within four days and a nationwide Fox News manhunt for the mystery poet, “And She Called…” went viral getting over a million views and now the poet from a small country town was being seen in countries around the world. From Shepard Smith’s Fox News interview to being interviewed by the British Broadcasting Company, Life continued to work diligently on his craft and focused on the forward progression of humanity.
In November 2011 Life’s dedication to his gift opened another door for him as he was requested to speak at the First Nations Pathways Conference for International Human Rights and Social Justice alongside Civil Rights Activists Dr. Angela Davis, Dr. Gracelyn Smallwood, and 60 Minutes Australia Reporter Jeff McMullen at James Cooke College in Townsville, Australia. In 2012, Life’s commitment to his craft and sheer belief in the scripture, your gift will make room for you, got him noticed and requested by Headquarters Marine Corps’ Equal Opportunity Branch to speak and perform at numerous universities around the country to assist in the recruitment of future Marine Corps Officers.
With a surgeon’s focus, Life continued to carve his way into positions to speak, mentor, and coach young people in the art of public speaking and creative writing through founding an organization called L.Y.F.E. 3, Inc. (Leading Youth Forward through; Education, Expression, and Empowerment). Amongst his first mentees was his oldest daughter Ashanti Curry whose skillful articulation of “I am Montfort Point,” got her recognized by the Commandant of the Marine Corps and through the recognition he opened the door for her to attend the US Naval Academy.
Face forward eyes on his goal, Life continues to motivate people around the world through his gift visiting youth detention centers, encouraging self-expression and leadership skills, and motivating people to believe in themselves. When asked, “Where do you find the time to… why do you… how do you come up with this stuff…” he simply reply’s, “This is God’s gift and he is just allowing me to carry it.”