The Heart Behind The Joseph Project

Her compassion for people, commitment to young people, and belief in the power of encouragement helped shape the heart and mission of The Joseph Project.

Honoring the Legacy of Marilyn Elaine Lawrence-Anglin, “Mel” — Founder of The Joseph Project

Before The Joseph Project was established, she had already spent more than four decades changing lives through her work as a highly respected hairstylist and Black salon owner in Seattle’s Central Area.

For more than 40 years, Mel owned and operated The New You, a salon that became far more than a place where people came to have their hair styled. It became a place of connection, encouragement, sisterhood, mentorship, spiritual counsel, and community.

Through her talent as a hairstylist, she earned the trust and respect of generations of clients. But it was not merely her professional skill that made her special. People came to her chair for much more than a hairstyle. They came for conversation. They came for wisdom. They came to be encouraged. They came because they knew they would be seen, heard, and valued.

Her salon became a place where relationships were built and lives were touched. Her influence extended beyond the walls of The New You.

After four decades, The New You eventually closed its doors. But the closing of the salon did not mean the end of her calling.

As she reflected on the many lives she had encountered throughout her years of working with people, her heart became increasingly focused on young people. She began thinking about the children and adolescents who were growing up facing challenges that could profoundly shape the direction of their lives.

Mel understood that intervention does not always have to begin when a young person is already in crisis. Sometimes the greatest opportunity is to reach them while they are still discovering themselves—to speak life into them, nurture their confidence, help them understand their worth, provide guidance, and give them the tools and support they need to make healthy choices.

Out of that vision, The Joseph Project was born.

The Joseph Project became an extension of everything she had already been doing throughout her life. The Joseph Project gave her an opportunity to expand that calling and intentionally invest in the lives of youth.

Her heart and passion flourished through the organization. She envisioned a place where young people could be encouraged rather than overlooked, mentored rather than abandoned, and empowered rather than defined by their circumstances.

And she believed that with the right guidance, encouragement, resources, faith, and support, a young person’s story could be redirected before life’s challenges became defining circumstances.

Mel leaves behind a legacy that cannot be measured simply by accomplishments, titles, or years of service.

Her legacy can be found in the people she encouraged.

It can be found in the women who sat in her salon chair and left feeling renewed.

It can be found in the young people she mentored and reminded of their worth.

It can be found in the individuals who received spiritual counsel when they needed direction.

It can be found in the friendships and sisterhood she cultivated.

And it can be found in every young person whose life has been touched by the vision she placed at the heart of The Joseph Project.

For more than 40 years, she transformed people through The New You.

Then, through The Joseph Project, she sought to help transform the future of the next generation.

Her life reminds us that true leadership is not about being in front of people — it is about being willing to pour into them.

Her story reminds us that one woman’s vision can become a legacy.

And her love for youth reminds us that sometimes changing a life begins with reaching one little girl or one little boy before the world has had the opportunity to convince them that they cannot become everything they were created to be.

That is the heart of The Joseph Project. That is her legacy.

Her Vision Continues Through Every Young Person We Serve.

Today, The Joseph Project carries her vision forward by creating safe spaces where young people can build confidence, emotional resilience, leadership skills, practical life skills, and meaningful relationships.