By Erika Banks-Tucker, L.A.M.P. Mentee Parent

PASADENA, CA – On Saturday, January 25, 2025, the Gamma Zeta Boulé (GZB) Foundation’s L.A.M.P. Mentors and Mentees stepped up as leaders in action, joining forces to support an all-day Wildfire Recovery Event. This critical initiative provided much-needed resources and supplies to communities devastated by the recent Southern California wildfires. The event, held at Pasadena Church, was made possible through partnerships with Grainger Corporation, Pasadena Church East Campus, and the L.A.M.P. Mentor Program—a flagship initiative of the Gamma Zeta Boulé Foundation.

The Gamma Zeta Boulé Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to uplifting the greater Los Angeles community by fostering leadership, education, economic development, and social growth for African American young men. At the heart of this mission is the L.A.M.P. Mentor Program (Leadership, Achievement, Management & Professionalism), which equips high school students with essential skills in leadership, volunteerism, financial literacy, leadership communication skills, civic engagement, and decision-making.

This wildfire recovery effort exemplified the program’s commitment to community service.

Over 80 L.A.M.P. mentees, mentors, and parents devoted their day—starting at 7:45 a.m. and working tirelessly until 5:00 p.m.—to assist with unloading trucks, sorting supplies, distributing materials to families in need, coordinating traffic flow for the busy event, and cleaning up afterward. Their efforts directly impacted hundreds of individuals affected by the fires and demonstrated the power of collective action.

President of the Gamma Zeta Boulé Foundation, Ramsey Jay Jr., emphasized the importance of maintaining excellence even in challenging times. “Excellence is the standard, and the standard is excellence,” he regularly reminds mentees. In response to this tragedy that affected many in the GZB community, he reiterated this mantra with a powerful call to action: “In challenging circumstances, excellence remains the standard—and this excellence is all the more required when circumstances are challenging. The cavalry is not coming; we are the cavalry.”

The event also received special recognition from Pastor Kerwin Manning, Senior Pastor of Pasadena Church, who commended the L.A.M.P. mentees for their dedication and leadership during such a critical time. “Saturday was a perfect demonstration of our standard of excellence being practiced by the mentees,” said President Jay Jr., reflecting on their contributions to this impactful event.

The Gamma Zeta Boulé Foundation continues to lead by example through initiatives like the L.A.M.P. Mentor Program. By instilling values of leadership and service in young African American men from grades 9 through 12, they are building a generation that is not only prepared for success but also committed to giving back to their communities.

For more information about the Gamma Zeta Boulé Foundation and its transformative programs like L.A.M.P., visit www.gzbfoundation.org. 

About Gamma Zeta Boulé Foundation:
The Gamma Zeta Boulé Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to cultivating excellence within African American communities in Los Angeles through leadership development, education initiatives, economic empowerment, and community service programs. Its flagship program—L.A.M.P.—is designed to inspire and prepare young men for success while fostering a lifelong commitment to civic engagement and social responsibility. This event serves as another shining example of how the L.A.M.P. Mentor Program transforms its participants into leaders who rise to meet challenges with resilience and purpose.