We recently connected with Lakeicha “Laila T” Thomas and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Lakeicha “Laila T”, thanks for joining us today. Who is your hero and why? What lessons have you learned from them and how have they influenced your journey?

My hero is my mother Patricia Thomas. She is very brave and strong-willed, not to mention very determined. After being diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer in 2019, she never once complained, kept it moving and did everything necessary to complete her treatment plan. Her faith was strong and her belief in our Lord Savior Jesus Christ helped her fight and defeat the Big “C.” I am so proud of her!! This journey I took with her the past three years taught me how to be selfless than selfish. More than anything, I am so thankful and grateful for God’s mercy and that we are both healthy, alive & HAPPY!!!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Against all odds without much support from some of my family & friends, I still push through and do what it takes to support my household without asking for any handouts. Some feel away about the type of photos I take but never have anything to add to my table. I love what I do and who am I and will no longer apologize to anyone for it! If they thought I would dim my light to make them feel more comfortable, then they thought wrong and are sadly mistaken!! My plan is to shine brighter than I ever with the aid of my biggest supporter my mother!!!

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

As soon as my mother was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer, I moved back home to take care of her seeing as though I was an only child. Who better to look after and take care of my mother besides me. This woman has taking care of me most of life. There was no hesitation or question what was the right and best thing to do. In between her chemo treatments, I moved all my belongings back into the house I grew up in while putting all my furniture in a climate controlled storage. Moving from the city back to the country was a HUGE adjustment! Things were much slower, and less career opportunities. It felt like my career and all the hard work I had previously done was now on hold and at a stand-still. But boy was I wrong!! I got published in a magazine every month for almost a whole year as my mother underwent surgery and seven cycles of Chemotherapy. She told me I inspired her and gave her the “will” to keep fighting and she eventually kicked the Big C’s butt!!! Amen 🙌🙌🙌

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

A major goal of mines is to share a stage with Tyler Perry one day in terms of theater!! To star in a Lifetime or Hallmark movie in terms of film!!!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: 4everlailat
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/foreverlakeichalailatthomas
• Other: Snapchat: mzlailat

Image Credits
Photographer: JSCP Photography MUA: MinxMeBeautyBar & Trufx Hair: Kendal Mcelhanon & Tiara Webb Retoucher: ImageRepairing