This is for preview purpose only. It is unlisted and unindexed on the Internet
Meet Calvin
Calvin Henry Lawrence is a speaker, author, consultant, and school board member based in Granbury, Texas. Over a career spanning more than four decades in education from elementary classrooms to higher education he has built a life focused on leadership, mentorship, and the power of hope.
Learning to Lead from the Inside Out
From the classroom to the boardroom, Calvin’s journey has always been rooted in the people around him. He began as an elementary school teacher and high school coach, gradually moving through roles as a principal, professor, and now school board member. Along the way, he earned a master’s degree and a doctorate, all while cultivating a philosophy centered on empathy, humility, and connection.
“Learning from a non-educator that everyone could not do what I do, which is teach, led me to seek my master’s degree and go to Texas,” he reflects. That realization planted the first seeds of a lifelong commitment to growth, not just for himself, but for those he would mentor and lead.
Growing Up Guided by Mentors
Calvin credits much of his development to the guidance he received as a student. From his fourth-grade teacher, Dora Harris, to high school coach Dr. Darnell Johnson, and later role models Dr. Alan Lacy and Fred Woodard, he was surrounded by adults who believed in him before he fully believed in himself.
“My professional journey has been shaped by mentors and role models who poured into me, and I carry that forward,”
These early influences instilled in him not only a love for education but a deep understanding of the responsibility leaders have to nurture those around them.
Marriage also played a defining role in Calvin’s trajectory. Moving to Texas to marry his wife, a native Texan, anchored both his personal and professional life. He describes it humorously yet sincerely:
“They say when you marry a Texan, you don’t leave Texas. Truth.”
It was a practical move that became a symbolic one rooting him in a community where he could grow, lead, and inspire.
Overcoming Silence and Fear
Despite his natural inclination toward leadership, Calvin has never been untouched by self-doubt. Early in life, he was shy and hesitant to speak publicly. College presented an unexpected challenge: selling books door-to-door. It was a formative experience that forced him to confront discomfort and find his voice.
Later, as a principal, the stakes were higher. He realized leadership often meant speaking up for those without a platform, advocating for students and staff who couldn’t advocate for themselves.
“I overcame my fear of speaking first by selling books door to door in college. Then becoming a principal forced me to speak up for those who didn’t have a voice,”
he explains. Writing his first book, The Happy Leader: Relatable Stories of Influence and Hope, was another test of courage particularly because he didn’t see himself as a natural writer. Yet he persisted, driven by a sense of responsibility to share stories that mattered.
Bridging Worlds Through Leadership
Calvin’s career is notable not just for its longevity, but for its breadth. He has worked across K-12 and higher education, bridging gaps that often leave students and educators feeling disconnected. As a consultant, speaker, and author, he now extends his impact beyond the classroom, sharing lessons learned and models of leadership that prioritize empathy and human connection.
Central to Calvin’s work is the belief that leadership is as much about listening and understanding as it is about directing and instructing. His book, his speaking engagements, and his consulting all revolve around a single goal: helping others recognize their potential and find their voice. “I want to make a positive impact for others, using what I’ve learned along the way to help people who have felt undervalued and unappreciated,” he says.
Values in Action
Faith, hope, and devotion are the guiding principles behind Calvin’s work. He centers himself through reflection on his spiritual beliefs, commitment to loving and understanding others, and continuous self-improvement. These values shape not only his personal life but also his professional ethos, creating a leadership style that is deeply relational and profoundly human.
Success, for Calvin, is measured not in titles or accolades but in effort and impact.
“Success for me is doing the best of which I am capable of doing whether in career, spiritual matters, physical well-being, or academics,”
he explains. It’s a philosophy that resonates with those he mentors, offering a model of leadership that is attainable, sustainable, and rooted in care.
Looking Ahead: Healing and Leadership
As Calvin looks to the future, his ambitions extend far beyond personal achievement. He hopes to travel, to bridge racial divides, and to inspire a new generation of leaders who can carry forward the lessons he has learned. His approach is hands-on, practical, and deeply optimistic: rather than focusing on problems alone, he seeks solutions and emphasizes hope.
He is particularly passionate about mentoring, seeing it as a way to honor the influence of his own guides. By helping others develop the skills, confidence, and empathy needed to lead, Calvin extends a legacy of impact that reaches far beyond his immediate community.
A Reflection on Purpose
Calvin’s story is ultimately one of courage, perseverance, and relational leadership. It is a testament to the power of mentors, the importance of humility, and the transformative potential of hope. He lives by a philosophy he credits to Arthur Ashe: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” It is advice that has guided him, inspired countless others, and continues to illuminate his path.
Even after decades in education and leadership, Calvin approaches life with the same curiosity, dedication, and hope that marked his earliest days. He is a reminder that true leadership is not about perfection—it is about showing up, listening, learning, and making a difference, one story, one voice, and one life at a time.
For More Features
Be Featured in The Real Edit!
Every story has the power to shape how we see innovation, leadership, and purpose. If you’re a founder, creator, executive, or changemaker with a journey worth telling , we’d be honored to help you share it.
To inquire about being featured:
Email us at: info@realedit.site
Follow The Real Edit
