Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lakeshia Gilbert. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Lakeshia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

The story that lies behind the mission of Helping Our Adolescents Prosper (HOAP) is a reflection of my life as a teen young teen mom. Like many of the young mothers we serve I became pregnant at the tender age of seventeen. At the time I was a senior in high school looking forward to potential opportunities of receiving a scholarship in basketball however instead of sending out open house invitations and taking senior pictures I was planning for the one thing that would change my life forever, the birth of my baby girl.

The mission of HOAP is to educate, empower, and nurture underserved youth and adolescents including young mothers (mothers-to-be).

After persevering my way through shame and all the other hurdles that came with a teenage unplanned pregnancy I founded HOAP nineteen years later. Helping Our Adolescents Prosper (HOAP) is a nonprofit 501(c) 3 founded in June 2013. Our mission and vision was strategically crafted to educate, empower, and nurture underserved youth and adolescents including young mothers (mothers-to-be) by serving as their safety net and personal guide to overcome their lived experiences while helping them navigate the pathway to prosperity.

Lakeshia, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a wife, mother of 5 girls, and a grandmother of two. My educational background is diverse and extensive. My first degree was in criminal justice. I worked for over a decade serving at risk youth and their families as a Youth Specialist and Surveillance Officer during this time I also received my BSM in Business Management/Human Services. Prior to transitioning in my career I went back to school to receive a double Masters in Psychology and Organizational Leadership. Before I founded HOAP I was employed as a Crisis Intervention Counselor and Family Advocate.

My lived experiences, compassion to help & empower others by being the change that I wished to see is what got me into the work I do. I believe that God called and appointed me be positioned for my purpose through founding HOAP. When He gave me the vision for the organization I knew it was meant to be a solution to a problem. HOAP provides empowering educational workshops for underserved youth and young mothers ages 12-24 along with basic essential needs, and transportation support. In 2022 we served 584 participants. Our transportation program for young mothers provided 172 roundtrip rides to work, school, doctor appointments, and childcare.

Our services help give hope to our future by breaking barriers. I’m most proud of the difference that we are making in lives of others and the fact that HOAP will celebrate it’s 10th anniversary this June.

I also founded another business called LSG Innovations, LLC that allows me to use the gift of my voice as a Inspirational Speaker, Fervent Facilitator, and Influential Personality Host.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Over the past nine plus years of operating HOAP I have encountered various challenges in my personal life that probably would‘ve led to others throwing in the towel however it was in the midst of the struggles where my strength was built. If there was one thing I could say to anyone who is thinking of opening a business I would say, be prepared for the sacrifices because there is no success without sacrifice.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

As a child I was taught not to ask anyone for anything. My mother would always say, if they want you to have something they’ll offer. As the CEO of HOAP a big part of my role is asking others to support the work we do in effort to drive our mission and vision. In the beginning this was very difficult for me because of what I had been taught as a child. However, through the support of my mentor, pastor, and husband who all honed in on the saying, closed mouths don’t get fed I was able to unlearn this behavior and enhance my skills through professional development.   

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hoapinc.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoap2013/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HOAPINC/
• Other: Link to LSG Innovations, LLC https://mrslsg.com/