Rev. Laury Hargrett, Biography
Laury Hargrett was born April 23, 1960 in Chicago Illinois, at the age of five was relocated to Grand Rapids Michigan. A graduate of Ottawa Hills High school G.R. was majoring in Architecture. She attended Southern University in Baton Rouge Louisiana to study Architecture as a freshman. She sacrificed her dreams of being an Architect and joins the United States Marine Corp to help support her family.
Laury Hargrett is a thirty-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps. She served in top-tier, regional executive leadership roles. During her career she earned the highest enlisted rank in the Marine Corps, Master Gunnery Sergeant (E-9). She is the first African American female in government contracting to receive this Rank
Laury Hargrett was awarded -The Presidential Meritorious Service Medal, for outstanding service as she successfully directed civilian and military personnel in a effort to combine all Marine Corps Contracting offices in the United States into one southwest region and one northeast region. As she managed a 350 million dollar contracting budget. Another Presidential Meritorious Service Medal, for outstanding service as she was the leader responsible for implementing an electronic acquisition procurement system to improve the economic development of small and minority business owners in the United States
Laury was also awarded The Secretary of the Navy Marine Corps Accommodation Medal, for her Heroic Hostage evacuation effort at the Substance Abuse Counseling center. While at gunpoint she single handedly directed military and civilian personnel to safety and evacuated the center while negotiating with a heavily armed Gunman that held a counselor hostage until the SWOT negotiator arrived. No one was harmed. Another -Secretary of the Navy, Marine Corps Achievement Medal, was given to her for superior collaboration skills as she worked off duty with the Department of Justice in sponsorship of the DEFY (Drug Education for Youth) program. As the Camp Director in Georgia and California, she collaborated with the public school system, parents targeting 50-60 youth ages (9-12). The program was a 2-week resident camp, a 10-month mentoring program and monthly life skill workshops for one year. She was given the Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and awarded Drill Instructor of the Year, for 4th Battalion, MCRD, Parris Island SC.
Laury Hargrett academic achievements are a Master Degree in Project Management -Strayer University, Alpharetta GA (Current), Bachelor of Science Degree - Excelsior University, Albany New York, Associate Certificate of Theology from the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC), Atlanta Ga., Certificate in Substance Abuse Counseling, Naval School of Health Science, San Diego CA,
Laury Hargrett Ministry achievements include: Ordained as Minster by Pastor Dr John Saba
Ordained as Reverend by Pastor Levi Daughterty, Minister in Training (MIT) under Pastor Dr. Michael Mcqueen, Methodist Church Certified Lay Leader speaker.
Community Efforts
Recent Projects:
-Executive Director of Young Ambassador for Peace organization
-Conveyor of America Clergy Leadership Conference GA
-ACLC Women in Ministry Coordinator GA
After I retired in 2006:
-President of Women Ministry St James United Methodist Church Ga
-Team Member for Jamaica Mission trip, rebuild a church in Mitcheltown Jamaica
-Project Coordinator for Uganda Africa Children Choir (SEFA) US Tour, Alpharetta Ga
-Project Coordinator for Humanitarian Tea -Fund Raiser for Women in Haiti, Alpharetta Ga
-Project Coordinator for Atlanta Day Shelter, (Homeless Women Project)- Alpharetta Ga.
-Project Coordinator for Murphy Harpst Homeless Children Center Alpharetta Ga
-Project Coordinator for Karois Women Prison Ministry Alpharetta Ga
-Project Coordinator for Habitat for Humanity Alpharetta Ga
-Project Coordinator for Senior Great day of Service - Alpharetta Ga
-Team Member for Seven Bridges feed Homeless Organization- Alpharetta Ga
-Keynote Speaker- Habakkuk Women Ministry Brunch Alpharetta Ga
Before retirement in 2006:
-Vice President of operation, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Family Legacy, Atlanta Ga.
-Vice President Blacks in Government, Albany Ga
-Coordinator, for the African American Community Exchange, (ACES) Albany Ga.
-Campaign Coordinator for Second Congressional District of Albany GA
-Camp Director for DEFY (Drug Education for Youth) Miramar CA
-Program Coordinator DEFY (Drug Education for Youth) Albany Ga
-Special Emphasis Event Coordinator Martin Luther king observance, Barstow Ca