I Am Grateful for the Trailblazers…

When I think about the trail my African American ancestors paved for me, I am filled with gratitude. I often wake up with a deep appreciation and admiration for their strength, courage and resilience in the face of immense adversity. Without them, I wouldn't be where I am today.

My ancestors also showed an incredible amount of courage in the face of danger. They risked everything—their lives, their families, and their livelihoods—in order to fight for what they believed was right. Their courage was inspiring and has been passed down through generations. We owe them a debt of gratitude for leading the way in the fight against racism and inequality in this country. They had such incredible strength, yet they were treated so unfairly by society. They were enslaved, discriminated against, and denied basic rights that seem obvious now. But despite these immense challenges, they kept pushing forward with courage and faith. They didn’t give up in the face of adversity and refused to accept anything less than equal treatment for all people regardless of race or gender.

I owe an immense debt to my ancestors for paving the way for me. Without their hard work, perseverance, and dedication I wouldn’t be able to enjoy the same rights as everyone else in this country. I’m grateful for those who fought for our freedom even when it seemed like an impossible task – because without them I wouldn’t be here today living a life filled with love and opportunity.

While I am speaking of many of my ancestors who are no longer here with me, I still have many who are living and inspire me every day. My mother, my former teachers Ms. Lannigan and Ms. Spencer, my best friends Nicole and Tracey, my business coach Darnyelle and so many others who give more than what they ever had.

I often take time out of my day to reflect on all that my those who are here and those who are gone have done for me—allowing me to experience freedom like never before imagined; giving me opportunities that were unheard of during their lifetime; showing me how powerful it can be when you stand up against injustice; teaching me how to stay strong even when faced with adversity; reminding me that no matter how difficult things may seem at times, there is always hope; inspiring me to continue fighting until equality is achieved in every corner of this world; and most importantly instilling in me an unshakeable sense of pride in my culture and heritage. For all these things I am forever thankful!

Take care,

Lakisha.

Parents, Please Pay Attention!!! The Reality of Human Trafficking in New Jersey.

Human trafficking is a hidden crime that affects New Jersey more than you might think. While the victims are often invisible, the impacts are devastating and far-reaching. There are several forms of Human Trafficking. One of them is a form of modern slavery in which people are exploited for labor or commercial sex. It is estimated that 24.9 million people worldwide are trafficked annually, most of whom are women and children. In 2017 alone, there were 853 reported cases of human trafficking in the U.S., with 153 occurring in New Jersey alone. This is an extremely high number for our State considering that these numbers reflect only reported cases; experts estimate that the actual number could be much higher.

Victims of human trafficking come from all backgrounds and walks of life, though many have been vulnerable due to poverty or lack of education. Victims may be lured by false promises or forced into servitude through physical violence or threats against themselves or their families. Many times traffickers use drugs or alcohol to control their victims as well as manipulate them emotionally by making them feel dependent on their captors for survival or comfort. Parents and educators, please pay attention – this means our teens are highly vulnerable.

I have learned that children are trapped in this vicious cycle in many different ways. Predators will pay other teens to lure their friends to a mall where the predator will kidnap them. Children who experience issues at home may be sought after by predators who pretend to be concerned and groom the teen to be trafficked.

It is so important to learn what human trafficking looks like because it is happening right in front of us. Please join me at the Human Trafficking Awareness Forum this weekend. It will be held on Saturday, January 28th from 11 am to 1 pm at Mastery Charter High School in Camden, NJ.

I hope to see you there.

Take care,

Lakisha.

A Little Faith Goes a Long Way.

I am a firm believer in the power of faith. If I’m honest, most days I believe that faith can move mountains and that nothing is impossible when we tap into our strength through faith. However, there are some days where I work hard to hang on to that “mustard seed” of faith.

We’re not even a month into the new year and already my faith has been tested several times. I find myself having to move differently and consciously choosing to trust that everything will work out. Having faith doesn’t come with an easy switch, however, it requires dedication to stay strong in believing and having hope for better days ahead. Many days, all I had to rely on was my belief that things would get better and that there is a plan for me even if I couldn’t see it right away.

In addition to prayer, having a strong support system around me has also been incredibly helpful in maintaining my level of faith. From close friends to family members to clients who remind me that no one is ever going through life alone.

This year, I have such a large vision for my personal and professional life. I know I will need to lean on my family, friends and clients for support. There are so many of you who have already stepped up for me and I appreciate you so much. I trust that each of you are in my life for a reason and I express gratitude for you every day.

Ultimately, staying true to your beliefs takes dedication and consistency if you want your level of faith to remain strong over time. This means being intentional about carving out time each day to remain in alignment, focusing on the positives rather than the negatives, and creating a supportive environment around yourself so that you never feel alone while walking down your own personal path towards success.

In the end I remind myself that my vision is always greater than my reality. As long as I am intentional and acting on purpose, I will be fine.

I want the same for all of you.

Take Care,

Lakisha.