NASW-CA celebrates the life of social worker and advocate Lawrence Lyons

The field mourns the loss of social worker, Lawrence Lyons, who was life was taken all too suddenly from his community and from his loved ones in December 2020. NASW-CA staff and leaders share their remembrances and we invite social workers across the state to pause in a moment of reflection and honor for Lawrence’s contributions to social work, the Black community, and LGBTQ+ activism.

Lawrence will be missed for his glowing presence and steadfast involvement in Region C activities. He was a social justice warrior and a mental health advocate, with a charisma that drove social work participation during a time when Region C needed it most. We treasure Lawrence for his love of singing, poetry and the arts, and the way he showed us by example the courage of living true to oneself. – Dione Lien, Previous Region C Director

I met Lawrence through the local Region of our National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Initially an MSW student, Lawrence was integral in helping to plan a Black History Month event & our first march at the Oakland Pride Parade. Lawrence brought not only his passion for social justice, but fun to those events. It was impossible to not smile around Lawrence! I also learned from those events of his vocal gift – and what a gift it was! It was one of those moments where you find out something unexpected & wonderful about someone when I heard him sing at the Black History Month event.

After Lawrence graduated, he launched a new phase of his career & continued to assist with the Region leadership & events. It was a time of growth for him, and I lost contact. I am sad to see him go on, but I am glad to have known his passion, his talent, and his loyalty for his mentor, Tech Tran. Thank you Lawrence for these gifts you leave here within all of us. – Lorrie Breshears, Previous Region C Director

Lawrence embodied a contagious level of zeal for social justice. He was unapologetically fierce and passionate. This is a painful loss, not only for his loved ones, but also for his community as Lawrence’s work was true to the spirit of social work and the guideposts of love and justice that steer us all. He loved his work and loved those he advocated for. We thank Lawrence for the care he brought those he served and the paths he illuminated and paved for other BIPOC social workers along the way. – Deborah Son, Previous Region C Director & NASW-CA Executive Director