Sam Lamantia Jr. is more than a barber.
By networking with his customers and following his dedication to give back to the community, Lamantia was able to use his social resources to found the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation. Dedicated to helping abused and distressed children, the nonprofit is coming into its 30th year, all under Lamantia.
“People sometimes don?t think you?re qualified and, yeah, I?m a barber, but I have experience and I listen to a lot of people,” said Lamantia, 69, who also serves as chief executive officer of the foundation. “Some people say CEOs have to keep to themselves and not listen to people. I feel the opposite.”
The Ed Block Courage Award Foundation has steadily developed as a staple of the Baltimore community since 1978. In 1984, Lamantia took his organization to the next level, connecting with St. Vincent?s Center, a residential facility that serves at-risk children ages 3 through 13. It was here that the foundation created the nation?s first Courage House. Serving as a place to complement the work at the center, the Courage House provides a fostering environment for children to develop. There are 18 Courage Houses across the country today.
At the same time, in 1984, Lamantia was networking with the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society to share his message nationwide.
When football left Baltimore in the back of a Mayflower moving van in 1984, Lamantia and the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society were able to keep the football spirit alive in Baltimore. Today, the foundation has an annual dinner and awards ceremony that recognizes one player from each team in the NFL, sharing the vision of the Courage Houses.
Lamantia?s goal, however, wouldn?t be possible without his extensive network of friends and acquaintances made through 40-plus years of cutting hair locally at his shop, Gentlemen?s Gentlemen. But that?s not to say he doesn?t know how to manage an office environment.
“He?s not a micromanager, but he lets us do what we need to do, overseeingeverything from behind the scenes, not breathing down your neck,” said Chuck Harmon, the director of communications for the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation. “He doesn?t say a whole lot, but when he does say something, you listen.”
SAM LAMANTIA JR.
» First job: Selling magazines door to door
» Education: Calvert Hall College
» Best job perk: Interacting and being around people
» Career objective: To have a Courage house in all 32 NFL cities nationwide.
» Favorite tool: My shearers
» Hometown: Bishop, Va.
» Birth date: Oct. 22, 1937
» Original aspirations: To be a boxer
» Sports/hobbies: Spending time at my house, swimming, spending time with my wife, children and grandchildren.
