We recently connected with La’Tasha M. Ford and have shared our conversation below.
La’Tasha M. , thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
For as long as I can remember, I have always believed in the impossible! Well, what many if not most believe is impossible in more ways than one.
Optimism has its’ meaning but, in my eyes, — optimism is the equation of dreams, purpose, divine alignment, timing, positive aptitude, adaptable attitude, efficacious energy, and intentionality.
Being an African American woman from inland Chicago mediocracy unfortunately is a norm! Lack is the norm! Struggle is a norm! Defeat is a norm! Settling is a norm! Just making it in life is a norm! Being satisfied with bare minimum is a norm! Living paycheck to paycheck is a norm! Being a single mother is a norm! Working the traditional 9am – 5pm is a norm! The inability to see outside of the walls majority of Blacks reside within is a norm!
And quite frankly … at an early age, I knew that norm would never be good enough for me. I always had the vision of more than! A clear vision of abundance and dreams can ‘in fact ‘become your reality if you chase them. So, I fell in love with that — the vision of being able to see more for myself and my offspring. I began to explore intentionality and what being intentional about the life whereas I desired to live… what that meant to ME. I was relentless about not only dreaming but taking all steps necessary to get me closer to my dreams. Some of which consisted of not opening my ears, heart, eyes, and spirit to all that was before me (average, unhealthy living). I took every step possible to lean into positive thinking, believing, and living and honestly postured myself for an invite-in type of lifestyle and optimistic way of living.
More often than not, many thought my way of thinking and living was insane, unrealistic, and unfathomable! Nevertheless, the energy I exuded was always, and I do mean always: positive, driven, intentional, and optimistic. Moments when I was verbally told, “Latasha, snap out of it that ain’t gone happen but it’s nice to believe and pray for those things.” Those are moments that built me up more! Being told something in ‘this life’ is unattainable, unrealistic, and impossible’ has always been yet another driving force for me to chase after it more.
Optimism for me steers from multiple areas of life!
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?
Honestly, titles are boxes to me, and I despise being placed in a box! Lol …. no but really. I am a balanced, professional free spirit with tons of excellent great talents — a great conversationalist is at the top of my list!
I am an Entertainment Journalist and Editor at Penske Media Corporation; and yes, I love my career. My day-to-day consist of all the things red-carpet, glam, TV and Film and it’s a hell of a lot of work, let’s be clear. The world gets a glimpse of my red-carpet looks and interviews with Hollywood’s finest from talks with Patrick Stewart to Angela Bassett to Morris Chestnut to Claire Danes to Snoop Dogg, Lisa Vanderpump, Betty Gilpin, Draymond Green, Marla Gibbs, Nicolas Cage, Mark Ruffalo and many more. But what the world doesn’t see is the extremely hard work, time, sacrifice, and brain power that goes on behind-the-scenes. You lucky folks you!
I am obsessed with all that I do, and all the opportunities’ life continues to afford me to show-up and show-out in my profession every time my high heels hit the door. And hell yes, my feet always hurt in those high heels. Lol
My career is fulfilling, lively, fashionable, and tons of fun! But two things can exist at once. My professional life also consists of countless sleepless night, tons of research and study, hours of preparedness, many hours in the mirror practicing and memorizing questions, celebrity names, and their award history, many trips to the mall for great looks, studying of excellent, award-winning journalist who have come before me, and sometimes a load of intimidation, self-doubt, and insecurities. Because let’s be clear — Hollywood’s expectation is perfection and those are huge high heels to step into.
The most exciting and fulfilling part of what I do is human energy, connecting and conversating with countless individuals on a daily basis and laughing along the way. In addition to, living in my life purpose and dream!
Hey, stay tuned for my talk show that will be coming sooner rather than later (my hope) and please check out my podcast ‘The Gift of Gab!’ https://open.spotify.com/show/7IkAd3nYgdzjW6JpT5vc9t
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Prayer, Patience, Persistence!
I am a true believer in Christ Jesus and am obsessed with God; always have been. Prayer keeps my spirit humble and grounded and continues to keep me going. That being said, it is imperative to not only trust but to believe in a higher being because if it weren’t for God — I truly would not be where I am today. I give all the thanks, glory, and honor to God. So, that’s the one golden key to life’s fulfillment, happiness, and peace.
Patience is yet another golden nugget. You have to be patience with not only yourself but the timing of life. Things will not always mesh well together, align, and come into fruition when YOU/WE feel as though it should. Patience is the key that unlocks your passion! I say that because, if you genuinely are passionate, serious, and committed to a certain career role, industry, company, brand, and/or project … even when it’s not happening within your timeframe — you still desire and want it. The moment, you throw in the towel, stop chasing believing in that THANG, dreaming about that career roles, and working towards it … that’s the moment which determines your passion for it. You have to be patient! Great happenings in life takes time. Be patient with yourself and YOUR journey. Your journey isn’t the next person’s journey.
Persistence is the ultimate gem! Keep chasing and working towards the desires of your heart despite all. It will happen, when you are truly ready, trust me.
Most importantly, my wisdom for the amazing individuals who happen to be early on in their journey … is a number of things:
– Mentorship, mentorship, mentorship! Find an amazing mentor to guide you along the way and share their blueprint with you.
– Keep your dreams and goals close to the vest and only share with whomever you can trust (because there are some individuals’ out here who will attempt to take your same path).
– Be careful what you share and with whom you share!
– Refrain from making ’emotional’ business decisions because there is a great chance that it will set you back.
– Do your research, do your research, do your research!
– Don’t rush the process because the worst is to fumble the ball aka the opportunity.
– Stay true to self and who you are, don’t lose yourself and genuineness especially if you desire to work in Hollywood.
– And…. Ummmm this one’s for my gals’ — be careful who you date… date smart! Because when you are reaching for greatness, you don’t have the time nor bandwidth for no damn liability — only assets in this life mamas! 🙂
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
Impact is a term often times underrated! My parents have made a great impact on my life and where I am today.
I was raised by both my mother and father. My father being a stand-up father and present, my first king set the bar high for any man coming behind him. My father is now deceased but his spirit lives on and he is with me every day of my life. His presence meant everything to me. As for my mother, this could literally be a book long but her strength, heart, kindness, giving spirit, excellent mothering has built me into the woman I am today. For my mother to still be mentally stable, sane, healthy, and living is more than a notion. She kept going and faced life even when this life dealt her bad cards. My mother lost my sister, Leetoya Ford (her first born) during Toya’s teenage years to murder and shortly after lost her husband (my father) … and she’s still here and living life. It doesn’t get any stronger than my mother! So, if my mother was able to keep going for not only herself, me, and my sisters — who am I to stop. So, my mother’s strength and heart are the definition of IMPACT.
That being said, my father’s presence and mother’s strength were the absolute most impactful things both of them could have done for me. In addition to birthing me to now be an amazing mother to my son today!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/latasha_m._ford
- Instagram: latasha_m._ford
- Linkedin: La’Tasha Ford
