Meet Lada

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lada a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Lada, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

I developed my confidence and self esteem by finding out who I was and what made me unique. I also clung to people who saw the good in me and encouraged me to “use my powers for good”. Thank you, Joan Hill for that amazing advice.
As a person who has faced alot of trauma and had my foundation shaken since I came into this world, it took alot for me to develop confidence in myself. Growing up in foster care, I faced depression, abuse and constant uncertainty. I longed for protection and stability. I am grateful to my foster mother who took care of me and my siblings. She opened her home and shared her family with us. I will say though, I still faced loneliness, abuse and trauma. Through prayer (shout out to my praying grandmother), guidance (shout out to my friends and teachers) and getting to know myself inside and out, I have an unshakeable confidence. I have lifted myself out of the mud, used that mud to plant myself and grow beautifully. I’ve seen and felt what its like to be in the dark, to feel immense pain and feel as though there is no way out. I am grateful to have found my way and taken others with me. My students, my nieces and my community are the recipients of those lessons learned.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am a social worker in a high school in The Bronx. I absolutely love my career. My students are hilarious, resilient, thoughtful, beautiful, and so much more. I have prayed so often to be more patient, have more compassion, practice forgiveness, etc. My students encourage me to practice those values everyday by holding me accountable, sharing their lives with me and trusting me to advocate for them. I also enjoy bringing people together by hosting events that focus on mental health, self care, advocacy and fun. Recently, I received a grant that allowed me to facilitate runs/walks along the Bronx River. I am grateful to the Bronx River Alliance for their continuous work with our community. Also, thank you to Bronx River arts center for allowing me to host my annual Black Horror Movie Night there. They were very gracious with their space. I am looking to host more events in 2025 that aim to bring the community together in support and love for one another focusing on fun, self discovery and healing.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Humility, forgiveness and patience. I have had to humble myself so many times to recieve help or recieve care. I’ve forgiven others but most importantly myself for mistakes I’ve made, for not treating myself the kindest or not doing what was best for me. I’ve worked hard to ensure that I don’t reflect how others have treated me and that I dont Internalize their behaviors or opinions of me. That has taken alot of patience but I’m grateful I took that time. Im more than worth it.

1) Dont be afraid to spend time alone and truly get to know yourself. You are worthy of the time and attention it takes to discover who you are. Self awareness is a beautiful thing.

2) Dont be afraid to ask for help or lean on those who want to help you. My friends have been a major part of my journey. Many of them are now family. My friends have encouraged me to take accountability, have affirmed my feelings, they make space and hold space for me, attend my events and have been so supportive of my journey, the highs and the lows. One of my favorite things from my friendships is becoming a God mother to their children.

3) Feed your inner child’s curiosity by doing things that bring you joy. I absolutely love doing things I wasnt able or didnt do do as a child such as traveling, trying a new restaurant, going to a WNBA game, or a musuem. I honor that child by surrounding her with great people and making sure she and I are safe. Thank you to all those who have made me feel safe and valued.

4) Self affirmations are one of the most powerful tools ever! Talk kindly to yourself, often. We spend so much time in our heads. We’re so judgemental of others but especially ourselves.  It’s time to be beautiful, kind, and thoughtful too.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

1st, let me say God is good. I’ve been blessed with people who reflect God’s love for me and I am so grateful.
My God mother Sabrina Cabello – Murray has been one of the most influential people in my life. We met in middle school. My friends and I spent our lunch periods in her office. She became someone we were safe with and that has extended into my adult life too. Sabrina has attended most of my life’s accomplishments from graduations, to birthdays, to holidays together and so much more. Sabrina serves as someone who embodies, compassion, fairness, understanding, and kindness, qualities I strive to share with my students everyday. She always sees the best in me even when I didn’t believe or see it in myself. That meant so much to a young, naive, insecure middle schooler and is one of the reasons I have the confidence I have now.

Image Credits

Thank you to Andreya Matthew, for taking this and many beautiful photos of me. She iss one of the best photographers and videographers I know. She works diligently and often captures projects, celebrations and news in The Bronx community. She often lends her talent to independent projects that focus on advocacy, joy and justice. Often, through her lens, I am able to see the best in myself. Thank you to my sister for always seeing me, my high, my lows and still sticking by me. I am truly blessed.

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