In a world that devalues and threatens Black boys and young men, LPTM provides a refuge. Its flagship afterschool program engages Ward 7 and 8 elementary, middle, and high school youth in arts, education, and character development. Apprentices work on unique acrylic on sewn canvas paintings, write poetry and prose, learn movement, music, and cinematography – to break through negative self-images, tell authentic stories about their lives, build bonds of brotherhood, and become catalysts for change. Younger children get rigorous tutoring in literacy and math and older youth experience academic support, college and career readiness, Black male development, leadership training, and more, to prepare them for post-secondary success. 100% of last year’s seniors went on to college, all received partial or full scholarships, and all are sewing “life pieces” into “masterpieces” – in the art they create, the lives they lead, the communities they build.

Headquarters: DC-Ward 7

Where They Operate: DC-Citywide; DC-Ward 5; DC-Ward 7; DC-Ward 8; Deanwood; Marshall Heights; Clay Terrace; Huntwood; Lincoln Heights; Kenilworth; Mayfair; New Beginnings in partnership with See Forever Maya Angelou High School; Benning Heights; Watts Community

Age Groups Served: Infants (0-2); Pre-K (3-4); Youth (5-11); Pre-teen/teen (12-17); Young adult (18-24)

Ethnic Groups Served: African American

Population(s) Served: Low- to Moderate-Income Community Members; Men/Boys

Schools They Work In: Woodson; Maya Angelou/See Forever Foundation's Evan's Middle & High School Campus; Ballou; Kelly Miller; Aiton Elementary; Burville Elementary; Arts & Technology; Spingarn; Anacostia; Drew Elementary; Nannie Helen Burroughs; Cornerstone Beullah Academy; Ron Brown Middle School; Thea Bowman Public Charter School; Cesar Chavez Middle & High School

Awards & Recognition

In March 2009, Life Pieces senior apprentice and mentor Andre Johnson received the Freddie Mac Foundation Youth Leadership Award, awarded by Leadership Greater Washington.

In October 2008, Executive Director Mary Brown received a Meyer Foundation Exponent Award from the Eugene and Agnes Meyer Foundation.

In August 2008, Life Pieces To Masterpieces was awarded a prestigious partnership for 2008-2009 with Georgetown University’s Center for Social Impact Communications.

In November 2007, Life Pieces To Masterpieces was honored as one of the best community based nonprofits in the Washington D.C. region and awarded a “Best in Catalogue” stamp from the Catalogue for Philanthropy.

In 2007, Executive Director Mary Brown was awarded the 2007 Washington DC Economic Partnership Innovators Award for her ability rethink what’s possible and achieve it.

In 2006, Life Pieces To Masterpieces was acknowledged for providing significant assistance to the artists in the Washington, DC metropolitan area through the Tony Taylor Award from the Cultural Alliance for Greater Washington.

Life Pieces To Masterpieces was awarded the 2006 Youth Award by Leadership Greater Washington.

In 2005, Life Pieces To Masterpieces was awarded the Ossie Davis Award for Spirited Arts Activism award.

In 2004, Life Pieces To Masterpieces was awarded the Impact Award from the Jacob and Charlotte Lehrman Foundation.

In 2004 Life Pieces To Masterpieces was awarded the Lend A Hand Award, presented by Al Roker and the Today Show.

In 2001, Life Pieces To Masterpieces was awarded the Mayor’s Spirit of the Neighborhood Action Award.

In 2000, Life Pieces To Masterpieces was awarded the Mayor’s Arts in Education Award.

In 2000, Life Pieces To Masterpieces was awarded the National Association for Affirmative Action Award for Outstanding Community Service.


Press

Budget (FY2023)

  • $3 million or higher
  • The current budget for Life Pieces To Masterpieces is: $1 million to $3 million
  • $500k to $1 million
  • Less than $500k

Catalogue charities range in size from $100,000 to $3 million. This graphic indicates the budget range of the organization featured here. If you see an organizational budget above the $3 million mark, that is because the featured charity has grown in size since it first appeared in the Catalogue. We proudly present on our website the work of these "growth" charities.

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