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Who We Are
Bridging Gaps with Compassion and Purpose
A Bridge 2 Light (AB2L) empowers underserved communities—especially those impacted by incarceration and systemic injustice.
Founded by Dr. Lawrence Henry, a retired Special Forces Colonel, AB2L provides mentorship, life skills, and support for reentry, helping individuals rebuild with dignity and direction.
With compassion, patience, and purpose—we create pathways to hope and lasting change.
Mission
AB2L;s mission is to empower underserved communities to overcome obstacles that have historically hindered their progress and access to essential human needs. We place particular emphasis on supporting individuals vulnerable to the “school to prison pipeline system” and facilitating the reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals.
Motto
AB2L’s motto is let’s learn together and make “The N.E.T.” Work!”
What is “The N.E.T.”
During Dr. Lawrence’s time in the military, he participated in several Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) activities in South and Central America. The aim of these JCETs were for U.S. Forces to exchange training with their host nation counterparts. With this mindset, AB2L created a “train the trainer” model to empower key neighborhood leaders to facilitate training between neighborhoods. This training, Neighborhood Exchange Training – or The N.E.T. – allows AB2L and community partners to achieve their goals more effectively and efficiently.
Strategic Objective
AB2L’s long-range objective (measured in seven-year increments) is to transform environments of despair into thriving communities of holistic wellness.
AB2L’s short-term goals (measured annually):
- Decrease in recidivism, and direct and indirect violence
- Increase access to healthcare awareness, educational (fiscal and academic) and occupational opportunities
Activities that enable AB2L’s short-term goals are aligned with its pillars.
- Protection of Womanhood
- Intentional Mentorship
- Chronic Disease Awareness
Lives Reached
Youth Mentored
Reduced Recidivism
Community Partners
Frequently Asked Questions
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AB2L Leadership - Meet Our Founder
Dr. Henry
Lawrence Henry, Ph.D., (US Army, Colonel, Retired) is the Founder and Executive Director for A Bridge 2 Light (AB2L)- a 501 (c) (3), non-profit organization. Before AB2L, Dr. Henry served in the U.S. Army for 26 years, 20 of those years as a Special Forces Officer.
As he led countless operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, and South and Central America, he became passionate about contributing to the liberation of oppressed people, embodied within the Special Forces Regiment’s Motto, De Oppresso Liber. After retiring from the military (Colonel, Retired), Henry advanced his passion as he pursued a Ph.D. in conflict analysis and resolution at Nova Southeastern University and authored a dissertation entitled “A Silent Dilemma: The Challenges Black Collegiate Women Face Disclosing Sexual Victimization.” Lastly, Dr. Henry demonstrated his desire to reduce human suffering by pursuing a master’s in administration in Justice Involved Care at Morehouse’s School of Medicine (MSM). There, he addressed challenges Black women, who were combat veterans, faced reentering society, received leadership and outstanding student awards, graduated with honors, and taught at MSM’s Summer Bridge Program. His time at MSM, doctoral studies, and military experiences, coupled with growing up in communities where access to education, employment, and opportunities were scarce, gave birth to the founding of AB2L.
