The inspire life STORY

In 2016, Dr. Semaj and Carla Vanzant launched Inspire Life with an urgent goal:
To offer transformational, creative summer programming to families who couldn’t access it anywhere else—programming that centered children’s personhood, brilliance, and potential.

They began with a one-week camp, hoping to serve 20 kids.
They ended up serving 40.

You see, they saw what others often missed: youth full of promise, held back by systems that didn’t invest in them—or even expect them to succeed. These weren’t kids who lacked ability—they were underestimated, not under-capable.

Families searching for meaningful summer experiences had few options. Most were limited to low-cost recreation camps that offered little academic support—leaving students vulnerable to summer learning loss and widening achievement gaps.

Deeply rooted in the Asbury Park community, the Vanzants knew that real change wouldn’t come from outside. It would come from community looking out for community—from people partnering together to build what didn’t yet exist.

And from that very first week, they saw what was possible when you believe in underestimated youth and surround them with opportunity, support, and joy. What started as a camp quickly grew into a movement—powered by love, equity, creativity, and action.

That one week has now become:

  • Seven full weeks of immersive summer programming

  • Fall and winter break camps to keep learning going all year

  • Year-round creative education through our flagship Creator’s Lab and other creative opportunities

And the results speak for themselves.

Inspire Life participants have:

  • Gained 1–2 grade levels in reading in just one summer

  • Joined tech and film clubs across the region

  • Discovered new passions and pursued careers in STEAM fields

  • Built confidence and skills they can use in any profession or life path

The Creator’s Lab has become a consistent, creative, and safe space where youth thrive both academically and artistically—supported by caring mentors, teaching artists, and a growing village that believes in their brilliance and looks like them.

Inspire Life was built by the community, for the community.

We work side by side with families, schools, artists, and partners to create the opportunities our kids deserve—not just to survive, but to thrive.

We are not a charity.
We are not a shortcut.
We are a solution—rooted in love, equity, and action.

And we’re just getting started.