LORIN CRENSHAW, 39
Vice president/Treasurer/Investor relations, Albemarle Corp.
Lorin Crenshaw heads up 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge’s financial literacy program called Dollars and Sense, which targets high school students of color. More than 80 students have completed the program in four years; one recent participant has since received an offer to intern as an analyst with Goldman Sachs in 2015. The Baton Rouge team won the national championship in 2014. Crenshaw’s goal: Expand.
Inspiring book: Talent Is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else
This book makes a well-documented argument that natural, innate ability is not the primary driver of success among elite performers—whether musicians, athletes or professionals. Hard work and years of deliberate practice—practicing the right things often—yield the greatest results.
Major professional accomplishments: It has been a blessing throughout my career to simply have the opportunity to always do what I enjoy. I am mindful of prior generations for which that simple privilege was not always possible.
Volunteer and community involvement: 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge, board member, Financial Literacy chair; Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, board member; MetroMorphosis, Advisory Board; Star Hill Church, Finance Committee, WealthBuilders, chair
PROFESSIONAL
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? A major league baseball player or the next Wynton Marsalis.
The old saying goes, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Specifically, what are you “being” to make Baton Rouge better? A mentor and teacher. I have the privilege of leading the 100 Black Men’s financial literacy program Dollars and Sense targeting high school students of color. We are proud of each of the 80+ students who have completed the program over the past four years. However, two weeks ago, an outstanding young man, Alex James, who participated in the 2013 program and has remained a mentee, received an offer to intern as a summer analyst with Goldman Sachs–the premier Wall Street firm-in investment banking in 2015. Currently a sophomore at LSU, Alex was inspired by our program. Our goals are relatively modest–to empower youth to make good financial decisions and understand how to create wealth. However, it’s nice when you receive a dividend like Alex. He’s a superstar with a bright future.
TECHNOLOGY
What app gets you through the day? Evernote
PERSONALITY
What’s your motto? I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. Your job is what you do, not who you are.
What trend do you really wish would come back? Americans electing leaders capable of solving complex problems and moving the country forward.
If you could live anywhere on this planet and take everything that you love with you, where would you choose to live and why? Mykonos, Greece. It’s one of those places that you go, never want to leave and feel as though you’re in some mythical storybook.
If you had to be a teacher of something, what would you teach? Jazz
What makes you laugh every time you think about it? My wedding photo, in which I am sporting a mini-Afro. It’s the best evidence I’ve got to prove to my 8-year old daughter, Lydia, that I once had lots of hair.
Who’s the most famous celebrity you’ve ever met? Sade
LOOKING AHEAD
What’s the next challenge you have planned? Doubling the enrollment of the 100 Black Men’s Dollars and Sense financial literacy program in 2015. On the heels of winning the national championship in 2014–beating teams from 12 other cities–this year’s program will commence in March and is open to high school aged students of color. The curriculum is very comprehensive, ranging from savings, budgeting and investing to building a $3,000 portfolio, participating in an online stock market challenge, learning to read the Wall Street Journal and presenting a case study to a panel of financial professionals.
