Cornerstone Collaborative
An Innovative
Socio-Economic Community Ecosystem
Eliminating Poverty & Violence
through Networked Community Development
Across Texas
Cornerstone Collaborative Texas provides undeserved communities access to resources and training to reduce human suffering and increase one's ability to acquire basic human needs.
Dallas
Houston
Austin
El Paso
Amarillo
Fort Worth
Waco
San Antonio
Our People
... love building community
COL (Ret.) Lawrence X. Henry, Ph.D
Executive Director
Dallas
(COL (Ret.) Lawrence X. Henry, Ph.D., is the Executive Director of Cornerstone Collaborative Texas, and its mission is to provide programs focused on enabling marginalized populations to achieve basic human needs. Before becoming the Executive Director for Texas, Dr. Lawrence served over 26 years in the United States Army, 20 as a Special Forces Officer (The Green Berets). He functioned in various command and staff positions in this capacity and is a Veteran of Operations Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and Iraqi Freedom (Iraq). Dr. Lawrence retired from the military, as a Colonel, in 2020.
Given his passion for enabling others to address intractable disputes, identify shared interests, create opportunities, and transform relationships to generate consensus, Dr. Lawrence established Core 90 Networks: Transforming the World through Strategic Options. As the President and Chief Executive Officer of Core 90 Networks, he focuses on strategic solutions to contemporary conflict. He has been a panelist on several forums focused on violence and the challenges marginalized communities – namely Black Women – face when disclosing sexual victimization. Dr. Lawrence is also the Director of the Strategic Planning and Development Department for the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
Dr. Lawrence holds a Bachelor of Science from East Stroudsburg University (PA) in Speech Communications. He is a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Ca, earning a Master of Science in Defense Analysis. Dr. Lawrence is a graduate of the United States Army War College-earning another Master’s degree in Strategic Studies with a certification in National Security Policies. He earned an advanced certification and a Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from Nova Southeastern University.
A Bridge To Light
It appears that increasing rates of incarcerated members of marginalized communities have a relationship with their inability to acquire basic human needs. Further, one could argue that an attributing factor that supports increased incarceration rates is the lack of essential tools to cope with many community and personal problems. These conditions, at times, create frustrations and are manifested through - but not limited to - gang-related activity, illicit drug offenses, and committing multiple forms of violence. These actions can destroy one’s community and facilitate unique traumas, incarceration, and even death. Many marginalized individuals are mentally and/ or physically disabled and live in unsanitary, unstable, and violent environments where adequate resources are limited to non-existent. The lack of structures and systems to maintain safe and decent living places commonly adversely affects one’s acquisition of human needs, rehabilitation, specialized treatment, and recidivism.
With this understanding, Cornerstone Collaborative Texas’ (CCT) A Bridge to Light Program focuses on reducing recidivism and violence and creates settings to empower members of marginalized communities. To affect this transformation, CCT works with federal, state and local policymakers, public housing and correctional facility leaders, and several organizations to positively affect marginalized individuals through:
•Understanding direct and indirect violence and its effects on self and one’s communities
•Addressing conflict (i.e., conflict management, resolution, and transformation)
•Understanding, developing, and maintaining a strategic planning cycle
•Understanding and participating in restorative justice
•Providing culturally sensitive resources
Employing the proceeding services and other best practices will reduce recidivism, violence, and destructive behavior and enable safer living places through achieving human needs.