Today we’d like to introduce you to Lem Cartman.
Hi Lem, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in a large family on the South Side of Chicago, the 15th of 18 kids. And though we lived with instability and very little, we were full of love and support. My upbringing showed me early that collaboration isn’t optional, it’s essential. No matter how strong we are as individuals, we’re always better together.
That belief carried me into every chapter of my life. As a first-generation college student, I naturally found myself bridging divides on campus, bringing people together to work toward shared goals. Later, in Chicago, I helped design one of the city’s leading trauma therapy programs, working alongside community leaders, clinicians, and residents. That experience reinforced something I’ve seen my whole life: real transformation happens when people work together.
That philosophy inspired me to create WE Consulting, a social impact firm built on one simple belief: we build better when we build together. WE is both a name and a model — With Everyone. We help schools, nonprofits, healthcare teams, and grassroots leaders partner across silos, align around shared purpose, and turn ideas into sustainable impact. Whether it’s redesigning curriculum in Chicago, launching youth mentorship programs in Detroit, or helping organizations strengthen their systems, WE exists to make collaboration practical and powerful.
In 2024, I was recruited to Detroit by Henry Ford Health. In just over a year, I’ve worked closely with partners across Detroit, while also being named a Future Leaders of Michigan honoree, a Black Tech Saturdays Futures Honoree, and one of the 25 Under 25 Legacy Leadership awardees.
Today, I split my time between consulting, community strategy, and my role at Henry Ford Health. My story is still being written, but every chapter comes back to one belief: we build better when we build with everyone.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road, but every challenge shaped the way I lead today. Being the first in my family and the first in my neighborhood to go to college came with pressure I didn’t always know how to carry. There was no blueprint to follow, no one to call for advice. I had to learn by doing, often through trial and error.
And throughout my career, I’ve often been the youngest person in the room, the youngest at the table, the youngest leading projects, the youngest helping guide community conversations. That came with its own obstacles. People would question if I was “ready,” if I had enough experience, or if my ideas carried weight. I had to learn how to build trust quickly, lead with humility, and let the quality of my work speak louder than my age.
But the hardest challenge was internal: learning to believe that I belonged. Coming from a background of instability and limited resources, stepping into rooms with executives, community leaders, and national partners required unlearning years of doubt.
Still, every challenge became a teacher. Being first taught me resilience. Being young taught me to prepare twice as hard. Being underestimated taught me to lead through collaboration, not ego.
None of it has been smooth, but all of it has been meaningful.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
WE Consulting is not a traditional consulting firm; we focus on building capacity. We describe ourselves as “a firm that serves the servers.” Our mission is simple: to help organizations that help people. Whether it’s a school, a nonprofit, a clinic, or a grassroots initiative, most teams are overwhelmed with priorities and stretched thin. We step in as partners who bring clarity, structure, and alignment so these organizations can operate with confidence and purpose.
WE Consulting specializes in strengthening systems, improving internal operations, and helping leaders streamline their work. Our services include strategic planning and facilitation, process optimization through AI solutions, leadership and team development, and media and communications support, all designed to help organizations move from intention to execution.
What sets WE apart is our belief that collaboration is the most powerful tool for impact. We don’t walk in as experts with all the answers. We co-create solutions with our clients, not for them. We take time to understand their culture, their challenges, and their vision, and then build systems that help them serve their communities more effectively.
Brand-wise, we are most proud of being named a 2025 Black Ambition Semifinalist, selected from thousands of companies nationwide. That recognition affirmed the strength of our model and the scalability of our impact.
What I want readers to know is this: WE exists to make meaningful work easier. We help organizations become more aligned, more strategic, and better equipped to deliver the outcomes their communities deserve.
What are your plans for the future?
Looking ahead, we’re entering one of the most exciting chapters for WE Consulting. We’re preparing to launch two major initiatives that reflect our commitment to building systems of collaboration and strengthening the next generation of leaders.
The first is EMPATHI Hub, our immersive learning experience designed to build empathy through storytelling and VR. EMPATHI stands for Experiencing Many Perspectives And Transforming Human Interaction. In a moment when division is rising nationwide, empathy is one of the most powerful tools we have. EMPATHI Hub will allow participants to step into the lived experiences of others, deepen understanding, and strengthen their capacity empathize. We’re piloting the program in 2026/2027 with schools and community organizations across Detroit.
Our second initiative is the Youth Leadership Collaborative, a network connecting young changemakers across cities. All around the country, young leaders are building, imagining, creating, and challenging systems in powerful ways. But too often, they’re doing this work in isolation. Our goal is to bridge that gap by creating a space where youth can share resources, collaborate on ideas, and learn from one another. We’re starting with a Chicago–Detroit exchange in 2026, a one-day convening that brings emerging leaders from both cities together to spark relationships and collective action.
Both initiatives reflect our core belief: when we invest in empathy and connection, we expand what’s possible for entire communities. As WE Consulting grows, we’re focused on scaling these programs and collaborating in all facets.
Pricing:
- Consulting & Capacity-Building Projects Starting at $100/hour
- Leadership Retreats & Workshops Starting at $300 per session
- Strategic Planning Engagements Starting at $1,500
- Media, Communications, & Storytelling Support Starting at $250 per deliverable
- AI & Process Optimization Services Starting at $500 per engagement
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.weincconsulting.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weincglobal/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weincglobal/?viewAsMember=true
