Watkins, Lawrence

Lawrence Watkins is a nationally recognized speaker, entrepreneur, and economic development strategist committed to building generational wealth in Black communities. He currently serves as Managing Director at Malcolm Garvey, where he partners with foundations to help deploy philanthropic capital that fosters a thriving Black economy. Lawrence is also the co-founder of The Black Business School, an education platform that has equipped over 160,000 students with culturally grounded, practical training in wealth creation—covering entrepreneurship, investing, and financial empowerment. A Cornell MBA and former engineer, Lawrence brings both analytical rigor and heart to his work. He has served on several nonprofit boards, led early-stage investments, and mentored founders through leading organizations like Techstars, Black Ambition, and BLCK VC. His signature framework, The Black Family Masterplan, offers strategic guidance to help families build strong, resilient foundations. He lives in Tulsa with his wife and two children.