When you change a young person’s exposure, you change their vision for what’s possible.

This week, our Executive Director, Garrett Underwood, hosted another inspiring Lunch at The Garden: Visionary Chats event at Seed House Project—combining a shared community meal with real talk from industry leaders.

We were thrilled to welcome two outstanding leaders and educators from California State University, Northridge (CSUN):

• Dr. Martel Okonji: CSUN Faculty Member, Pride Center Manager, and former LA County Mental Health Commissioner.
• Dr. Carroll Brown III: CSUN Africana Studies Lecturer and founder of The Fostering Resiliency Project.

Both speakers shared their career journeys, answered questions, and dropped invaluable wisdom on navigating college, work, and personal growth.

Opening Doors & Building Career Pathways

A huge part of our mission at Seed House Project is Community Development and Career Pathways.

Our youth are eager to explore the world, but many haven’t had access to diverse professional networks. These speaker sessions bridge that gap, giving our members direct access to mentors who show them what’s possible.

Reimagining Education: The Life School

These chats are a core part of our Life School model, which reimagines how education should feel:

• Tools for Life: Youth don’t just memorize facts—they build skills to live, lead, thrive, and find their true career passions.
• A Safe Space to Grow: We provide a stable environment where members feel safe and focused enough to enroll in college and actually thrive.

When community leaders show up for our youth, they send a clear message: you belong in every room you enter.

Thank you to Dr. Okonji and Dr. Brown for investing your time and heart into our community!

Want to inspire the next generation? Contact us today to learn how you can share your career story at our next Visionary Chat! Email info@seedhouseproject.org