Identity: Tonee Lawson

"In my years as a Black woman entrepreneur, working with inner city youth, I have witnessed the direct correlation of justice and peace. 2020 has highlighted many incidents where unfortunately, justice has lacked. As a result, situations are amplified and bought to a national platform for all to see the resounding theme, injustices persist. Many take to the streets or social media in peaceful demonstration, which often ends in agony, stress, pain, and defeat.

Our youth take a firsthand account and bear witness to years of injustices. They feel hopeless. They feel unheard. I have made it my personal mission to ensure that does not continue. Women have historically been at the forefront of justice movements and WOW provides a platform and opportunity to continue that legacy. I will continue to spread hope through a calming sense of peace, as our future lies with youth, and a just and peaceful society remains to be our ancestors’ wildest dreams."

Tonee Lawson is a Washington, DC area native, but has made Baltimore her home since her college years at Towson University, where she graduated with a dual Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics (MB3) and Biology. She also has a Master of Science degree in Biotechnology. Tonee is the Founder and Executive Director The Be. Org, a youth development nonprofit that focuses on STEM enrichment and college and career readiness. Tonee was featured on “In Real Life” on the Quicksilva Show for her impact on the community; and was recognized by the Daily Record as a Very Important Professional Under 40. She is a 2018-2019 Johns Hopkins University Social Innovation alum and 2020 Baltimore Corps Fellow where she developed a virtual reality curriculum for social emotional learning in youth.