Episode 4: Damon Lawrence

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Damon Lawrence is a man on a mission to bring the history of African American experience to the hotel industry. With unparalleled passion, perseverance in the face of adversity and witnessing a lack of African American representation in brand ownership and leadership, Damon created the Homage Hospitality brand.

He is the CEO and oversees operations as well as creative direction.

Homage Hospitality is a hotel company that aims to tell the story not often told.

INFO ON DAMON LAWRENCE

Website: https://www.anewkindofhospitality.com

LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hauspitality/

Instagram: @hauspitality

Twitter: @hauspitality, @stayhomage

Martin Luther King, Jr. said:

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

Well, the dream of Damon Lawrence is one of perseverance in the face of recurring challenges that would have made most simply decided to choose a simpler path. It is one of where the content of one’s character is evident.

Originally from Pasadena, CA, Damon has always had a passion for entrepreneurship. In high school Damon was voted most likely to become a CEO and his classmates proved to be prophetic as the currently helms as Chief Executive Officer of Homage Hospitality.

Like many hoteliers, he grew to love hospitality as he rose through the ranks. Damon began his hospitality journey as a front desk agent at the Donovan House Hotel in Washington, DC while attending Howard University. He then moved into management at companies such as The Ritz-Carlton, InterContinental Hotels Group, and Dusit International. After noticing a lack of African American brand ownership and leadership in higher management ranks, Damon created the Homage Hospitality brand in 2014 and currently oversees operations and creative direction.

In July of 2018 Homage Hospitality opened their first property “The Moor” in New Orleans, LA. The small property stands out with an emphasis on the culture of New Orleans and its relation to multicultural heritage of the North African Moors in its design and architecture. The nearly 100-year-old facade sports Spanish Colonial features, while inside, the four suites have rustic elements of exposed brick and hardwood floors softened with Moroccan patterned textiles.

Damon Lawrence’s dream is impassioned, authentic and genuinely focused on providing a hotel experience that is geared towards creating like something you’ve never seen before. It will feel like a new kind of experience – a new kind of hospitality. FINALLY.

INFO ON DAVID KEPRON

• Website: https://www.davidkepron.com
• Email: david.kepron@NXTLVLexperiencedesign.com
• Personal Instagram: @DavidKepron
• NXTLVL Instagram: @NXTLVL_experience_design
• Twitter: @DavidKepron
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-kepron-9a1582b/