We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Laketa M. Smith. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Laketa below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Laketa M. with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I credit every single bit of my life’s mantras & principles to who I call “My NOLA Village.” My grandFATHER, Anthony led this team of elders in instilling into my life the true definition of nobleness and the importance of character. Following him, was my grandMOTHER, she was one of the city’s Matriarchs. Together they raised me and introduced me to the balance of both worlds. Very different upbringings yet collectively they were my guiding lights. My grandFATHER taught me the value of patience and moving through the business /political sector efficiently. At the young age of seven, he started bringing me to work with him at one of the largest Imports and Exports for the Port of New Orleans. He begun his career at the company at six-teen as a “lottery pick longshoreman.” He was amazing at empowering me to humbly own any room I entered. I remember the first time he walked me into his office! See, he was the BOSS now! It was the exact moment, he gave birth to the Boss in me! He proudly instructed me to take a seat in his chair. His office was beautifully designed and the walls were full of plagues and accolades. Yet, he was still the creole “Caveman” from the 7th ward that would give anyone the skin off his back! I loved him deep for that. It’s a feeling I still can feel sitting there as my seven year old self. Just the moment of knowing, there are even greater possibilities for me. We discussed the endless possibilities as long as I worked as hard, stayed loyal, genuine, calm and kind. The work would bring forth many blessings, he said. He smiled as I took pride in my tasks of being his secretary. I received a wealthy salary and benefitted greatly from attending the negotiation meetings, company events, gulf tournaments, having drinks in the judges chambers, I seen it all. I was a sponge, every moment was a lesson. I was taught to”think like a man.” He was genius at foster relationships locally or across the US. However, a lot of non-blacks did not care for his ability to navigate through civic leadership and engagement. No one was foolish enough to say anything to him. During the late-eighties, early nineties, Black men moving up the corporate ladder was not common. Especially when you are talking about a city like, New Orleans. Where everything is often rooted in politics and underlined by corruption. Now, my grandMOTHER was strong! She was a proud housewife that took care of everyone! Her day to day involved being a COGIC community servant. She was amazingly gifted at being loving and too forgiving. I too, followed her into the community where she poured into so many. Financially, spiritually and her time. I learned that time and your wellness matters as a servant. Her dedication was unmatched and this too, was work! She was the Queen of “pulling up!” She unknowingly taught me the value of establishing healthy boundaries and, “all skin-folks are not kin-folks!” I seen her cry way too often, her heart was so pure. I developed a tough skin and a different outlook. My mother takes the third spot. My mother outworked anyone I have known. Unfortunately, her life was full of hardships. I will forever respect how determined she was as an advocate, a mother, wife, friend and sister to be the best version of herself. She battled with so much pain yet she smiled and fought continuously. Her life’s work includes being a Principal Organizer for a nationally known class-action lawsuit, The Agriculture Street Landfill. She stood 10-toes down against the City of New Orleans, HANO and everyone responsible for the development of this subsidized housing community built on toxic land. She fought twenty-six years of our lives to seek environmental justice for all of its residents. My entire upbringing was enriched with opportunities and inspiring community members who truly led by definition. I was rarely in a circle of people who was not influential in diverse lifestyles. If ever there was a time, I did not judge them. I found a reason to be grateful for those who intentionally reinvested into me. This experience is definitely the making of me.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
A New Orleans native and graduate of Loyola University New Orleans, Laketa, Executive Director-Founder of A Bella LaFemme Society, Senior Editor of Educated Bella Publishing, LLC, Regional Disaster Relief Specialist is planting seeds globally by pivoting to virtual/hybrid engagements. Laketa works diligently as an active member with organizations, VOTE, The Promise of Justice Initiative, Black Voters Matter, The New Endings and Opportunities Coalition, East Baton Rouge Parish Prison Reform Coalition, The Power Coalition, Junior League of Baton Rouge, Leaders of Color, She Leads and more to put an end to The New Jim Crow Laws across the State of Louisiana. As a Statewide Organizer, Laketa also advocates for mental wellness throughout her multi facets of community engagements locally and internationally. Laketa reached one of her longterm career goals of being a Panelist for The Essence Festival of Culture, for the Power & Wealth Series, The New-Age Activism which included, President Joe Biden.
Laketa’s latest appointment is the honor of serving as Vice President of The Friends of Capitol Park Museum’s Board of Directors. Immediate Past Chairwoman of Civic Engagement for Urban League’s Young Professionals of Louisiana. In response of the increased violence in New Orleans, Laketa was appointed by Mayor Cantrell’s Office of Youth and Families as the Facilitator of The Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council. This Council focuses on advising the mayor on youth gun violence reduction, mental wellness, civic engagement, environmental justice and more. She is the recipient of many awards statewide and nationally. A few of her notable mentions includes, The Black History Now 2022, “Boots on The Ground Guru Award,” presented by Color of Change. The Council of the City of New Orleans, Proclamation 2022 for her contributions as a Judge for the NAACP, ACT-SO Awards. In 2021, she was awarded “The Louisiana Women of Resiliency, Woman Community Champion” presented by Women Mean Business Awards.
Since incorporating, A Bella LaFemme Society in 2018 (ABLS), Laketa has spearheaded and executed this grassroots organization from just a dream to nationally recognized. Their mission is to promote mental wellness in minority communities through advocacy, empowerment, disaster relief & women collegiate scholarships. ABLS’s vision is to create empowering & thriving communities that are mentally, physically, & spiritually wealthy. During the height of the pandemic, over 700 people worldwide committed to a yearlong self-love campaign pledge to increase overall wellness. Five thousand dollars was awarded to recipients of The Bella Scholars (Mental Wellness Scholarships), over twenty thousand reinvested back into our communities through disaster response, relief and recovery. For Hurricane Ida, ABLS served over eight thousand families through partnerships and volunteers statewide. ABLS was recently spotlighted as a new and successful Host Site for MYWE Mayor’s Youth Workforce Experience) in partnership with the Big Buddy Program under the Broome Administration in Baton Rouge, LA. This organization is making moves across the state! They recently held their 2nd Annual My Sisters’ Keeper MLK Day of Service. This event was a day of celebrating black joy while preparing hundreds of Bella Love Bags (care packages for women in need). Year two exceeded the first of 200 bags by raising the bar and packing close to three hundred bags.
In spare-time, Laketa enjoys spending time with her loving family traveling, candle crafting, meditating, reading, writing (stay tuned for her book release and restructure of Educated Bella Publishing), empowering others and healing. Laketa recently loss her beloved mother, favorite cousin, and lifelong friend, Fannie L. McIntyre Johnson (Mother), Nichole A. Washington (Cousin), Charlene Griffin Jarreau (Lifelong Friend). These tremendous losses have motivated her to love stronger, value every moment life grants, and to find peaceful terms with tragedies. To have gained three new Ancestors, Laketa is navigating as she turns pain into purpose.
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?
Looking back, I would say, my confidence played an essential role in everything I touched, which lead to successful relationships. I love learning, the ability to be able to surrender to receiving and the willingness to forever be a student of life. My advice is to seek the power of discernment, be wise of how you spend your time, who you are allowing your soul and spirit to connect with. Not everyone need to hear your dreams and plans. Be mindful of how much you neglect yourself. Make sure you are refilling your cup. Yet work hard and stay humble. Be able to detach from people and things that do not serve your purpose. Never allow the ego to rule and build relationships with people who you aspire to be. Make sure your home is full of love, even if it’s just you, be good to yourself. You are so worthy of it all. Always live and lead with LOVE.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
The most impactful things would be the exposure to the art of love and loyalty. My voice mattered in my home and the village listened also. I was raised to pray, forgive, be fearless, to embrace multiculturalism and that my black was beautiful! I will forever be grateful for everything my life have brought and will bring.
Contact Info:
- Website: ablsociety.org
- Instagram: Educated_Bella and Ablsociety
- Facebook: A Bella LaFemme Society, Laketa Marie Smith
