A Mission for Educational Equity

In the streets of Washington, D.C., Lamont Gordon's story began with challenges that would later shape his mission to transform educational opportunities for others. As a child, he experienced the harsh realities of housing insecurity, at times sleeping in his father's taxi cab when they had nowhere else to go.

"Times were hard for us," Lamont recalls. "Lots of challenges, lots of instability, housing insecurity... From first to eighth grade, I went to seven different schools because we moved around that often. We didn't have the rent, we had to leave."

Yet amid these challenges, education remained a constant priority, thanks to his father's unwavering push for academic excellence. "Somehow, I always did well academically," Lamont reflects, "in part because my father pushed me. He prioritized education."

This emphasis on education led to a pivotal moment in Lamont's life - earning a scholarship to a boarding school in Milton, Massachusetts. The day he left for school remains vivid in his memory: "I remember so clearly, I'm 14 years old, my father takes me to the Greyhound bus station in downtown Washington, DC. He put me on a bus alone because he couldn't afford a ticket. I'm taking a 10-hour bus trip away to some New England place I've never even heard of."

That bus ride began a transformative experience that would shape his future work. "I sat at the very front seat because he asked the bus driver to look after me," Lamont remembers. As his father watched from outside, Lamont fought back tears, terrified of what lay ahead but unaware of how this moment would change his life.

"As I reflect back on that moment," Lamont says, "I must think about as a parent, what it must have felt like to put your 14-year-old kid on a bus. He didn't really fully understand what I was getting myself into, but I think he knew that this was my shot, this was my opportunity."

The transition wasn't easy. "It was tough. You know, I was homesick," Lamont admits. "These people were so different. This was not how I grew up." Yet it was here that Lamont first truly recognized educational inequality. "I saw the schools that I went to, which were horrible in Washington, DC, and the strong education that my more privileged and wealthy peers had. I just thought this isn't right. This isn't fair."

Four years later, his father attended his graduation, stepping onto the campus for the first time since he couldn't afford to visit during Lamont's time there. "His leap of faith paid off," Lamont reflects.

Today, as the leader of College Visions, Lamont works to create similar opportunities for others. The organization, celebrating its 20th anniversary, serves about 500 young people in Rhode Island annually. Their impact is significant: 100% of their high school graduates enroll in college, and over 70% graduate within six years - two to three times the rate of their peers.

"All young people have potential," Lamont asserts. "And all young people deserve an opportunity to realize their potential." This belief shapes College Visions' approach, which emphasizes students' strengths while acknowledging their challenges. "We take a strength-based approach to working with our students," he explains. "Yes, their parents may not have gone to college. Yes, they may not have a lot of money and other resources. But we know that they're smart, they're talented, they're hard-working, and they have lots of potential."

Lamont's leadership style is marked by an optimism born from his own experiences. "I'm an optimistic person in general," he shares. "Life was rough for me growing up, but somehow I made it through. So I always see light at the end of the tunnel." This perspective proves valuable when facing organizational challenges, allowing him to maintain calm and focus even when unexpected obstacles arise.

Recently, Lamont has launched the Black and Latino Male Fellowship, addressing the underrepresentation of young men of color in higher education. "We started last year with our first cohort. We have 10 young men," he explains. The program provides comprehensive support, including college and career exploration, leadership development, and wellness discussions. The fellows have already had remarkable experiences, including meetings with Senator Jack Reed, Sheldon Whitehouse, and Secretary Cardona at the U.S. Department of Education.

Working through College Visions, Lamont continues to expand opportunities for students throughout Rhode Island, now including Woonsocket as they grow their footprint. His work embodies a simple but powerful truth: when given the opportunity and support, every student has the potential to succeed.

Each day, as he works to create pathways to higher education for underserved students, Lamont carries forward the legacy of faith and determination that his father showed on that day at the bus station, helping new generations of students find their own path to success.