Courtesy of GSU Communications
Some leaders meet moments. Others create them. Dr. Lawrence Weekly has spent his life doing both—lifting communities, shaping policy, and championing opportunity across Nevada.
A proud Grambling State University alumnus and native of Las Vegas, Dr. Weekly was honored with The Vanguard Award, recognizing individuals whose vision, influence, and commitment leave a lasting impact on Grambling State, its students, and the communities it serves.
The Vanguard Award celebrates those who stand at the forefront of progress—pioneers and protectors of possibility whose leadership drives change and opens pathways for others to follow. As part of The Grambling Vanguard initiative, the honor underscores the University’s belief that its rise is powered by a network of leaders who inspire action, expand opportunity, and exemplify service and excellence.
For Dr. Weekly, that foundation was built at Grambling State. Long before he entered public service, he was already a leader in the making—earning the nickname “Hollywood Weekly” for his charisma behind the microphone as producer of a KGRM radio show, his dynamic leadership as President of the Favrot Student Union Board (FSUB), and his memorable emcee work for the annual Cover Girl Pageant. Those early experiences revealed the confidence, presence, and purpose that would later define his life in public service and civic leadership.
Dr. Weekly’s journey began in West Las Vegas, where he graduated from Western High School before attending the College of Southern Nevada. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in communication from Grambling State University, a master’s in public administration, and a Ph.D. in public policy from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). His career in public service began in 1995 with the City of Las Vegas, where he quickly rose through the ranks—first as a management analyst, then as liaison to City Councilman Gary Reese. In 1999, he was appointed to the Las Vegas City Council representing Ward 5, becoming the first to serve in that seat and launching what would become a decades-long legacy of civic leadership.
In 2008, Dr. Weekly was appointed to the Clark County Commission, where he served for more than a decade, including as Vice Chair from 2019 to 2021. His tenure was defined by advocacy for education, equity, workforce development, and family well-being. He became the first African American to chair the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority Board of Directors and led several key regional bodies, including the University Medical Center Board of Trustees, the Nevada Association of Counties, and the Local Law Enforcement Advisory Board. Through these roles, he championed initiatives that expanded access to healthcare, strengthened senior services, and funded programs dedicated to improving quality of life throughout Clark County.
Today, Dr. Weekly continues his service as Chief of Staff and Chief Diversity Officer for the College of Southern Nevada and as a part-time instructor at UNLV. He remains a passionate voice for education and empowerment, hosting Straight Talk on KCEP Power 88 FM—a Las Vegas radio staple that has aired weekly since 1989.
In true “Hollywood” fashion, Dr. Weekly engaged the audience with a moving reflection on the progress of those who came before him and the responsibility to carry that legacy forward.
“Denmark Vesey died so that Nat Turner could revolt. Nat Turner revolted so that Sister Rosa Parks could sit down. Sister Rosa Parks sat down so that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. could march. Dr. King marched so that Reverend Jesse Jackson could run. Reverend Jackson ran so that Sister Oprah Winfrey could talk. Oprah talked so that Barack Obama could run. And Barack Obama ran so that Dr. Martin Lemelle Jr. could lead—and Dr. Lemelle leads so that the students of Grambling State University can soar.”
Building on that moment, Dr. Weekly spoke candidly about his own journey—from growing up in the projects of Las Vegas and entering the foster care system at two days old to chairing the very hospital where he was born. He shared how mentors at Grambling State, including Dr. Joseph B. Johnson and Eddie Henderson, helped shape his confidence and purpose. With deep gratitude, he credited the University with teaching him perseverance and faith. When he lost his mother during senior year, Dr. Weekly added that his university influences and grandmother’s pride on graduation day remain one of his life’s greatest memories.
“It was Dr. Joseph E. Johnson. It was Eddie Henderson. It was Nathaniel Blake. It was those ladies in the registrar’s office. It was my cousin, I call her my TT, my Ruby Billups Weekly, who made it possible that I could come back to school because they said, Your mama will want you here,” said Weekly.
“And they set my grandmother in the front row at my graduation. And my grandma cried when they played [the Alma Mater].”
The Grambling Vanguard is a presidential initiative designed to inspire, educate, and engage—extending the reach of the University, sharpening the perspective of its students, and enriching the communities it serves. Through its signature elements—the Vanguard Speaker Series, the Vanguard Award, and a forthcoming podcast—the initiative uplifts leaders whose lives exemplify courage, creativity, and impact. Learn more at gram.eu/vanguard.
