Daily Inspiration: Meet Brandon Lamar

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Lamar.

Hi Brandon, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born and raised in Pasadena, California, a city rich with history, culture, and community pride. My journey really began with a desire to make a difference right here at home. Growing up, I saw both the beauty and the challenges in my community, and I felt called to be part of the solution. My grandparents were pastors in the area and I witnessed first hand how involved my grandmother was is social and civic issues and I knew I wanted to do the same. One of the challenges I saw was the decline of the black population in the Pasadena Altadena area. Every day I deal with the reality of waking uo one day and not seeing people that looks like me because they have been displaced or priced out.

Early on, I got involved in youth leadership and community service programs like Pasadena Ambassadors, Pasadena Youth Council, Tavis Smiley youth to leaders, and for a short time I traveled speaking for Dr. Maya Angelou. That passion grew into a lifelong mission. Over the years, I’ve served in several civic and nonprofit leadership roles, from Chair of the Pasadena Human Relations Commission to Vice Chair of the Pasadena Rental Housing Board and serving on many local Non-profit boards. Today, I serve as President of the Pasadena NAACP, Executive of Harambee, and as the Founder and Project Passion, a nonprofit that creates spaces for collaboration, empowerment, and community impact.

My path hasn’t been traditional, it’s been built on faith, service, and a deep love for people. When the Eaton Canyon Fire hit our city, I lead the Dena Relief Drive which has been the longest lasting distribution hub, to support displaced families. That experience reminded me how powerful community can be when we come together with purpose.

I’ve also had the privilege to mentor young people through programs I founded and lead like Young Kings Retreat and Community Welcome Back Day, helping students see their own potential and purpose. Whether through advocacy, writing, or organizing, my mission has always been the same to build leaders, bridge generations, and ensure every person in our city feels seen, supported, and valued.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I’ve learned that purpose is often shaped under pressure. There have been times when the work felt heavy, especially when trying to create change within systems that weren’t designed for equity or inclusion. Balancing community work, leadership responsibilities, and personal life has been a constant challenge.

In the past, I decided to run for Pasadena City Council because I witnessed the injustices impacting our most vulnerable residents and wanted to make sure their voices were truly heard. That hasn’t always been easy standing up for change often means challenging the status quo. But the truth is, the status quo is what keeps so many of our communities bound.

My involvement deepened when I saw people who looked like me being displaced and overlooked. In a city where nearly 60% of residents are renters, not one council member was a renter yet they were the ones making decisions that affected renters’ lives. I’ve always believed that the people closest to the issues should be closest to the solutions. That belief drove me to become an advocate for tenant protections, and I was proud to help lead the fight for Measure H, which has prevented countless families especially families of color from being displaced and priced out of their homes. While not everyone supported it, my focus has always been on stopping displacement and protecting community stability.

Running for President of the NAACP Pasadena Branch wasn’t easy, because once again I was choosing to push against the status quo. “He’s too young. He doesn’t have enough experience.” Those are words I’ve heard for years but instead of discouraging me, they fueled me. They reminded me that something in our community needed to shift.
For me, this journey was never about replacing one generation with another. It was about bringing generations together honoring the legacy of those before us while empowering new leaders to rise alongside them. That’s how real progress happens.

One of the toughest seasons came recently after the Eaton Canyon Fire. The very community I was born and raised in was devastated families lost their homes, resources were scarce, and emotions ran deep. I found myself not only leading relief efforts but also helping people heal emotionally and spiritually. It tested my endurance and my faith, but it also reminded me why I do this work.

There have been moments of uncertainty, times when partnerships fell through, and days when I questioned whether I was truly making a difference. But every challenge has taught me something valuable: patience, persistence, and the importance of staying grounded in purpose. The obstacles haven’t defeated me they’ve refined me. And every day, I continue fighting to make sure that the families who lost everything in the fire have a fair chance to rebuild their lives.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
For the past 15 years, I’ve worked in social services and the nonprofit sector across a wide range of areas. I started my journey with Pasadena Parks and Recreation, and from there, I served in multiple organizations gaining experience in transitional-age youth (TAY) homeless prevention, wraparound services, mentorship, and enrichment programs.

Most recently, I served as the California State Director for a national nonprofit, Youth Advocate Programs (YAP). I was brought on to build their child welfare and youth justice programs statewide from the ground up an experience that deepened my understanding of what it takes to create sustainable systems of support for youth and families. Currently, I serve as the Executive Director of Harambee in Pasadena, a long-standing organization dedicated to uplifting youth and families through education, mentoring, and community engagement.

At the core of all my work is a deep commitment to community, purpose, and impact. That’s what led me to found Project Passion, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering collaboration and empowering communities through intentional partnerships. We create spaces where people can come together to share resources, build solutions, and strengthen the neighborhoods we call home. Whether through disaster recovery, youth empowerment, or community development, our mission remains the same: to uplift, unite, and restore.

I also have the honor of serving as President of the Pasadena NAACP, where I work alongside an incredible team to advance racial and social justice, protect civil rights, and empower the next generation of leaders. Over the years, I’ve become known for bridging generations, connecting young leaders with seasoned advocates, and bringing people together who might not otherwise cross paths. I truly believe that real progress happens when collaboration replaces competition.

One of the moments I’m most proud of is launching the Dena Relief Drive after the Eaton Canyon Fire. Within 24 hours, we mobilized resources to support thousands of families who lost their homes. providing essential items, temporary housing, mental health support, and hosting resource fairs. The Dena Relief Drive became the city’s first and longest-standing distribution hub. Seeing the community rally together so quickly reaffirmed my belief that collective action is powerful and that we can solve even our most complex challenges through collaboration.

What sets me apart is that I lead from lived experience. I don’t just talk about the work, I live it. My journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s shaped my heart for people and my commitment to justice. I’ve seen firsthand how systems affect everyday lives, and that perspective keeps me grounded, humble, and driven to lead with compassion and conviction.

At the end of the day, my work isn’t about titles or recognition, it’s about people. It’s about ensuring that every person, no matter their background or circumstance, knows that their voice matters and that their passion has the power to create real change.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I’ve learned that real growth doesn’t happen in comfort, it happens when you’re willing to take risks rooted in purpose. For me, risk-taking has never been about being reckless; it’s about having faith in what could be, even when the outcome is uncertain.

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was stepping out to run for Pasadena City Council. For me, it wasn’t just about politics, it was about challenging systems and conversations that had remained unchanged for decades. I knew it would ruffle feathers and invite criticism, but I also knew that real change requires courage. That experience taught me that leadership isn’t about popularity; it’s about standing firm in conviction, even when it’s uncomfortable.

Another defining moment came as President of the Pasadena NAACP, when I publicly spoke out against the recent ICE raids in our community. It was a risk because not everyone agreed I should take that stance. But I couldn’t stay silent while families lived in fear. I believe that what happens to one of us impacts all of us, and that we can’t allow politics to divide or distract us from our shared humanity. Sometimes leadership means speaking up, even when your voice shakes.

Starting Project Passion was another leap of faith. I launched it during a time of uncertainty, without all the answers or resources, but with a clear vision: to create a space where people could come together to build solutions rather than just talk about problems. Starting something from the ground up is always a risk, but I believed in the mission, and the right partners showed up when they were needed most.

To me, risk is a vital part of purpose. Every major move I’ve made has required stepping out on faith, trading comfort for calling. And every time I’ve done that, I’ve discovered that what once felt like risk was really just the path to revelation.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://projectpassioninc.com
• Instagram: bdlamar
• Facebook: Brandon Dante Lamar

Image Credits
All photos belong to Project Passion