She Could Help Change the Course of Generations
History was made this year as 30-year-old Dr. Calynn Lawrence was named The 2025 Person of the Year, setting a new record as the youngest individual ever to receive the prestigious honor. She is also the first person to receive five total Person of the Year Awards when counting her four category wins as 2024 & 2025 Healthcare Advocate of the Year, 2023 Mediaperson of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year. A black, female native of Chicago’s Southwest side, Dr. Lawrence’s win marks a monumental achievement not only for her but as a beacon of inspiration for young people of color and aspiring changemakers globally. Recognized for her multifaceted impact as an entrepreneur, researcher, educator, and humanitarian, Dr. Lawrence has dedicated her life to the advancement of marginalized communities through pioneering holistic wellness and systemic reform advocacy.
A Trailblazing Social Entrepreneur
Dr. Lawrence’s journey to this accolade began long before her doctorate. As the CEO of the Calynn Communications & Creative corporation, she established herself early on as a formidable force in marketing and journalism. Owning a 5-star rated web series with a 6-digit viewership and several popular online publications such as The World Times, What’s Good Weekly, Millionaires in the Making, and more, this business is a wide reaching conglomerate that has made a name in the indie media world.
While she has worked with numerous heavy hitter brands in a plethora of industries, her heart remains with up and coming talent and small business owners. Her business acumen was not just for profit but for purpose; she leverages her firm’s earnings to fund The Fresh Faces Project, a thriving nonprofit initiative she founded to support aspiring creatives and entrepreneurs. By providing resources and exposure to underrepresented talent, she has helped thousands of individuals navigate industries that often lack diversity, proving that her entrepreneurial spirit is deeply rooted in community empowerment. At 30 years old, she has invested tens of thousands of dollars into the welfare of oppressed populations throughout the course of her career.
Brilliant Researcher and “The Faith Doctor”
In the healthcare sphere, Dr. Lawrence is known affectionately as “The Faith Doctor”. She holds a Doctorate in Pastoral/Faith-Based Counseling and a Master of Science in Management & Leadership, credentials she uses to bridge the gap between spiritual faith and mental health science. Her groundbreaking doctoral research, titled “The Wonders of Using Trauma Informed, Spirit Led Programming in Rehabilitating The Incarcerated and Reducing Recidivism,” explores integrative psychosocial services for felons. This work advocates for a “whole person” approach to rehabilitation, aiming to reduce recidivism and aid successful reentry into society. Further cementing her expertise, Dr. Lawrence is a triple board-certified specialist in Acute Traumatic Stress, Clinical Trauma, and Religious Trauma. Additionally, her research is accredited worldwide, being designated a vetted Training Provider by the International Practitioner of Holistic Medicine Board. In 2025, the Lifetime Fellow Award was bestowed upon her as a holistic mental health luminary by Eudoxia Research Centre.
Despite academic excellence, the most defining aspect of Dr. Lawrence’s legacy is her humanitarian work. Growing up in a low-income community exposed her to the systemic barriers that trap many in cycles of poverty and the “prison pipeline”. Her work with The Holistic Healing Source for Marginalized Society as the Founder focuses on creating evidence-backed frameworks that address the unique psychological needs of at-risk populations, making her a leading voice in the intersection of trauma care and social justice. This platform provides complimentary courses, support groups, advocacy content, directories, and more—aimed at improving the life quality and longevity of BIPOC, women, LGBTQIA+, and disabled populations. They offer an abundance of easily accessible resources to benefit their readers and enrich society. Their most prominent is their free, award-winning Library of Free Mental Health Focused, Spiritually Informed Self Help E-Books, that reached a 6-digit readership within just a few months. Requiring no contact or payment information, this gem is one of very few science-backed repositories that are available to the public with such vast subject matter of its kind.
An Inspiration to Many
Dr. Lawrence’s approach is deeply personal, informed by her own battles with a chronic mental health condition, Major Depressive Disorder, carving out a name for herself in a challenging landscape, and her spiritual healing journey. Her ability to empathize with the struggles of the disenfranchised while providing professional, high-level solutions sets her apart as a revolutionary who leads with both head and heart. Her recognition as the 2025 Person of the Year is more than an award; it is a testament to the power of resilience and visionary action. At just 30 years old, she has shattered a glass ceiling, proving that age is no barrier to wisdom or affect. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that with passion, education, and a commitment to service, it is possible to change the world—one life, one mind, and one spirit at a time.
Learn more about Dr. Calynn Lawrence at www.calynnmlawrence.com
