The founder and CEO of W Lawson talks about his initiatives on the board of Leading Age and the Green House Project, the move to resident-directed supports and services, and his work breaking down barriers in the not-for-profit space.

About Marvell

Marvell Adams Jr. has known since high school that he would serve older adults as a part of his life’s work. He has been a project manager, nursing home administrator, CEO, facilitator, international speaker, coach, and educator. As Founder & CEO of W Lawson, he is continuing two decades of committed service to older adults with a focus on inclusion, belonging and creating communities for older adults that authentically welcomes them and their chosen family and friends.

In contributing to the next generation of aging services professionals, Marvell lectures to hundreds to high school and college students and currently serves as founding co-chair of the LeadingAge Cultural Competency Advisory Group. He is a founding member of the design team for the LeadingAge Summer Enrichment Program, which focuses on exposing BIPOC (black, indigenous, people of color) undergraduate and graduate students to the field of aging services.

Key Takeaways

• Most aging services focus on an affluent clienteleand homogeneous race and ethnicity.
• There is diversity among the direct care staff in senior living, but not in leadership. Women and people of color are disproportionately represented at the top.
• Starting in 2040 there will be an increase in individuals identifying as two or more racial ethnicities. The inclusion piece will be undeniable.