We were lucky to catch up with LaTanya Black recently and have shared our conversation below.
LaTanya, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
Looking back to when I was a little five-year-old African American girl in a predominantly white student community, my sense of purpose began to take shape. Back then, I naturally found myself standing up for the handful of black students, including me, in a sea of white peers. Whether it was defending a kid getting picked on in elementary school or a young boy being bullied in middle school, I felt this inherent need to care and advocate for others.
It’s like this caring and advocating trait was always a part of me. I’ve consistently spoken up for individuals who weren’t valued in the way they deserved. As I grew up, it became clear that caring, standing up, and being a voice for others is what I’m meant to do with this life that God has given me.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a dedicated life coach committed to supporting individuals as they navigate the challenges of grief, life’s obstacles, and the altering landscape of life’s many challenges. I walk with them in transforming and finding their authentic, healthy selves through the power of, wellness, and restoration—a genuine metamorphosis. In addition to my life coaching journey, I honor the memory of my twenty-three-year-old daughter, Nia, whose life was tragically taken by an act of gun violence in 2020.
In response to this heart-wrenching life experience, I serve as the voice for Nia and countless other families whose lives have been forever changed by this senseless act of violence. As the spokeswoman for gun violence prevention, I advocate for public safety and sensible gun laws, working actively as a change agent for safer communities nationally and internationally, and also serving as the founder of Mothers Against Community Gun Violence (MACGV). At MACGV, we offer supportive, legislative, and educational training for communities and youth affected by violence.
My passion for caring for others, nurtured since childhood when I protected individuals on the playground during recess, has evolved into safeguarding their health and wellness for a prosperous, productive, and high-quality life—because everyone deserves such a life. I am honored to announce that I will be speaking on a virtual national panel on January 24th. More information about the event will be released on our website in the Newsroom closer to the date.
To discover more about me, hear my story, and learn about my journey to becoming the woman I am today—by both choice and necessity, as a public speaker, life coach, and spokeswomen for gun violence prevention—visit macgvnb.com.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back on my life, especially considering I’m over halfway to a century, I’d say those are my cards. No jokes aside, the three life qualities that have propelled me to where I am today, navigating both controlled and uncontrolled circumstances, are:
Cultivating Compassion: Embracing understanding and fostering deep connections, my leadership approach has consistently been bottom-up. I firmly believe that a leader is only as strong as the supportive team holding them up. Treating everyone as a valuable asset is vital for the overall success of one’s team and goals.
Enhancing Adaptability: The ability to adapt and absorb my surroundings, along with comprehending complex situations, has been crucial throughout my journey.
Investing in Cultural Competence: Putting in the work and gaining necessary training to understand the diversity around us is essential. Embrace our differences while recognizing our fundamental similarities.
For those embarking on their journey, prioritize wisely, consider self-care non-negotiable, and remember: success doesn’t always favor the swift or fast; it belongs to the one who endures to the end.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Absolutely, I speak from the heart, wearing the dual hats of a grieving mother and the driving force behind the day-to-day operations of a non-profit that perennially operates on a shoestring budget—constantly understaffed and lacking resources. The truth is, after navigating the intricacies of running the nonprofit organization, while immensely grateful for the support of dedicated volunteers, I find myself yearning for brilliant minds with knowledge in operating a nonprofit to come join us. We need individuals who can bring their talents and skills to MACGV. If you have a desire to volunteer your time to give back and sow into the community, helping us not only sustain but also expand our reach—it’s a call for those who wish to contribute to an organization with a proven track record of success and impact in our unwavering advocacy, public safety, educational initiatives, and youth-focused work. If you’re reading this and feel compelled to collaborate, please reach out—We welcome your expertise to further our mission. Please contact us at, macgvnb.com
Contact Info:
- Website: macgvnb.com
Image Credits
Minneapolis Star Tribune and BetterMinnesota
