We caught up with the brilliant and insightful LaToya Heron a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
LaToya, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
“You remind me of a lotus flower …” That was the text I received from a friend a few years ago. It wasn’t until I did some research that I learned that despite growing in murky, swampy waters, the lotus’s beauty remains untainted as it continues to bloom in the face of adversity.
That’s when it hit me. He was speaking about my resilience.
So where do I get it from?
God’s grace, my mother’s strength, the values she instilled in me, my perspective, and being from the “concrete jungle where dreams are made of … there’s nothing you can’t do!”
(Chuckles) Of course, I would break into a song mid-sentence. That’s so on brand for me.
But now that we’re singing the same tune and I’ve got your attention, let me explain …
Growing up in a single-parent household in the South Bronx had its challenges but it proved to be a blessing. It taught me grit, grace, and gratitude.
That combined with my mother showing us the importance of being anchored in faith and having an abundance mindset, played a major role in who I am today.
Hearing about her hardships in Jamaica and how she pushed herself to overcome obstacles was eye-opening. This Queen exudes a level of strength and tenacity that is admirable just as it is contagious. Now that I think about it, that’s probably why humility, integrity, and respect are at the core of who I am.
It’s funny because everyone praises me for my resilience. However, they don’t realize that I haven’t always been the “strong” woman you see before you today. In fact, there were moments when my resilience was put to the test. From being bullied, grieving the loss of my father at 11, navigating a toxic work environment, dealing with imposter syndrome, uprooting my life, and moving to Minnesota (where I had no family or friends) where I dealt with the plight of the pandemic and George Floyd’s murder all alone, to recently standing up for myself when someone tried to sabotage my career.
Time and time again, I felt disheartened but refused to let any of those experiences define me. Instead, I became intentional about reclaiming my power by distilling the lessons and using them as a magnetic force within my internal compass to guide me back to my higher self.
That’s why one of my favorite quotes is “Turn your wounds into wisdom” by Oprah. It resonates with me so much that I got a tattoo with those exact words to serve as a permanent reminder that I am not a victim, but a victor. That I am not defined by my challenges, but rather empowered by them.
Full transparency: There were moments when I wanted to give up.
However, after wiping my tears, saying a prayer, and looking myself in the mirror, I made a decision: defeat is a mindset that I had no interest in breathing life into.
Was it easy? Of course not!
But I understand the power of perspective. These experiences weren’t roadblocks, they were stepping stones; stepping stones that will evolve into pillars that uphold and support the dreams within me.
Every experience, every moment, and every lesson marks another page in the love letter that I’m writing to my younger self.
In this letter, I’m acknowledging the beauty of both mountain peaks and valleys. But more importantly, I am reminding myself that despite the contending forces – I, too, am a force to be reckoned with (in my own right).
I’m on a mission to overcome everything that is meant to destroy me.
So yes, I am a lotus (but with sunflower tendencies).
Meaning that despite the circumstances, I’ll bloom and stand tall for the world to see.
This is me.
This … is … resilience.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a Brand Marketer with a healthy obsession with bold and forward-thinking campaigns. On a day-to-day basis, I explore different avenues and authentic ways to connect with people through advertisements, communications, and high-profile events. What excites me most is finding the sweet spot between intention and impact. In other words, I enjoy creating meaningful brand experiences that resonate with people across all touchpoints. At this time, I’m focused on immersing myself in the world of experiential marketing and bringing brands to life, literally.
Outside of that, I’m a mentor. I genuinely enjoy helping the next generation of marketing and communications professionals achieve their goals. It’s fulfilling and it inspires me to work on other passion projects.
Which reminds me – I have a few exciting things underway. One is a special project that I’m working on with a friend of mine. I won’t get into specific details at this time, but I will say this – it’ll be worth the wait. So, stay tuned!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Three qualities that were most impactful in my journey are:
1) Empathy
2) Persistence
3) Charisma
A bonus would be delusion. I say this because sometimes you have to program yourself into believing that you can achieve your wildest dreams (even if it frightens you).
That’s why the advice I would give someone is the same as I would give my younger self: “Do it, scared.”
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve spoken on panels with my heart nearly pounding out of my chest and my legs visibly shaking. Or how I performed in front of thousands, but before walking onstage, I nearly had a panic attack. Or how I was the youngest person sought out for a high-profile event and almost said “no” because I was terrified. Guess what? I did it anyway.
Do … It … Scared.
Use that empathy to connect.
Use that persistence to overcome.
Use that charisma to shine.
Your younger self will thank you.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
“The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz is a game changer.
It’s one of my favorite books and I’m even considering reading it once a year for positive reinforcement.
While all of the agreements are powerful, the two that I find most valuable are “Always do your best” and “Be impeccable with your word”. They may seem simple on paper, but they’re powerful and dictate how I navigate this journey called ‘life’. We all have core values and they evolve just as we do. A few of mine (humility, integrity, and respect), just so happen to align with the agreements. To me, this is proof, that I’m on the right path.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thisislatoyah.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/latoyaheron/
Image Credits
– MTCM 22 (Credit: Andrew Vick) – Black Girls in Media flyer (Credit: BlackGirlsInMedia) – Empire State of Mind (Credit: Doudou Badji) – PR Week 23 (Credit: PR Week)
