While we spend the month of February honoring prominent figures in our Nation’s history, we also feel that it is important to acknowledge our own team members who have had a prominent impact on our local history.
Lemuel “Life” LaRoche received his Masters of Social Work from the University of Georgia school of Social Work. LaRoche is an instructor in the School of Social Work at the University of Georgia. LaRoche is the founder and executive director of Chess and Community Conference, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing young leaders and critical thinkers in Athens Georgia and surrounding counties. With two decades of experience in adolescent and community development, LaRoche brings a fresh innovative approach to his work.
Life, also known as Life the Griot, is an accomplished poet. He is the author of two books: "Hidden Ripples: Life's Unspoken Language" and "Tree of Life: The Human Ascension." He continues to write and perform regularly.
He is the subject of Life the Griot (2014), a documentary highlighting the work that he has accomplished in Athens, Georgia, and the surrounding areas. LaRoche was listed as one of Athens’ exceptional community leaders in 2013. He is a 2015 recipient of the President’s Fulfilling the Dream Award. LaRoche has presented at TEDxUGA, an independently organized TEDTalks event, and his organization has been featured on Georgia Public Broadcasting’s On Second Thought, PBS NewsHour and CBS News. He is the recipient of the 2016 Daily Points of Light Award and was recognized as an Atlanta Braves Community Hero.
Life currently works as the Director of Programming for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Athens' YouthForce program. To learn more about YouthForce, visit their website here.