We caught up with the brilliant and insightful LaTayvia Brown a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi LaTayvia , thanks for joining us today. So, let’s start with a hypothetical – what would you change about the educational system?

If I could change one thing about the education system, it would be to embed social-emotional learning into the core of the curriculum—not as an afterthought, but as a foundational part of how we teach and support students. Understanding how to manage emotions, build resilience, and develop self-awareness is just as important as learning math or science—if not more.

Growing up, I wasn’t a great test taker. I understood the material, participated in class, and put in the work—but as soon as I sat down for a test, anxiety would take over. My grades never truly reflected my intelligence or potential. I often felt defeated, not because I didn’t know the content, but because the system didn’t acknowledge or support how I processed pressure and performance. If social-emotional learning had been a part of my education as a teen, I believe I would have had the tools to manage that anxiety and truly thrive—not just academically, but emotionally and mentally as well.

This personal experience is one of the driving forces behind my organization, Stronger2ogether, inc I started it with the mission of helping families —especially youth—build confidence, emotional awareness, and resilience. The struggles I faced in school due to anxiety and lack of emotional support are exactly why I’m passionate about creating safe, empowering spaces where people feel seen, heard, and supported. Stronger2ogether is a reflection of the support system I wish I had growing up.

Our education system needs to reflect the realities of today’s world. Students need to be emotionally equipped to handle setbacks, think creatively, and understand themselves beyond a test score. By integrating social-emotional learning, we’re not just preparing kids for careers—we’re preparing them for life.

LaTayvia , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

For those who may not have heard of me before, my name is LaTayvia Brown, and I’m the founder of Stronger2ogether.org—an organization rooted in the belief that emotional wellness, resilience, and self-empowerment are essential for building a meaningful and fulfilling life.

My journey into this work is deeply personal. As a teenager, I struggled with test anxiety—not because I didn’t understand the material, but because I was living in environments, both at school and at home, where fear was used as motivation. The constant pressure to perform, the fear of failure, and the absence of emotional safety made it difficult to focus, process, or feel confident. That anxiety affected my academic performance and, more importantly, my self-esteem. It was a silent battle that too many young people are still fighting today. That experience became one of the driving forces behind Stronger2ogether.

At Stronger2ogether, we provide a wide range of services including teacher and parent workshops focused on emotional intelligence, unique social-emotional learning (SEL) programs for youth, and family-centered initiatives. We also offer practical resources and action plans that help parents and educators apply these strategies in real-life situations—turning insight into consistent, supportive action.

The core issues we address include overwhelmed teachers struggling to meet students’ emotional needs, parents looking for better ways to connect with and support their children, and young people facing anxiety, pressure, or a sense of emotional disconnection. We aim to close the emotional gap by equipping individuals and communities with the tools to manage stress, build healthy relationships, and create environments where people feel safe, seen, and supported.

What makes our approach different is that it’s not just professional—it’s personal. I bring both lived experience and expert training to every space I enter. As a certified life coach, mental health first aid provider, and author of two books—The Ultimate Emotional Intelligence Digital Workbook and Unveiling the Single Self—I lead with compassion, clarity, and a deep understanding of what it means to grow through what you go through.

I’ve had the honor of being recognized by Making the Impossible Possible Inc., the Brooklyn Borough President, and members of Congress, and I was inducted into the Hall of Fame for outstanding citizenship. Still, the moments I’m most proud of are the quiet ones—when someone says, “I finally feel understood,” or “Now I have tools to face this differently.” That’s the impact that matters.

If you’re thinking about working with me or exploring what Stronger2ogether has to offer, please know this: our approach is grounded in compassion, authenticity, and the conviction that healing and growth thrive when people feel supported and empowered. We don’t come in to “fix” anyone—instead, we provide meaningful educational support to teachers and families, walking alongside them as they nurture confidence, deepen their relationships, and reconnect with their own inner strength and wisdom.

Because we are, truly, stronger together.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

The time I had to pivot the most was during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the shutdowns, Stronger2ogether primarily focused on providing in-person educational support by implementing social-emotional learning (SEL) programs directly in schools and community settings. Suddenly, everything came to a halt—schools closed, events were canceled, and the direct connection we relied on vanished overnight.

Instead of letting that stop us, I looked for a way to continue serving families and educators in a meaningful way despite the restrictions. That’s when I created SEL Curriculum Boxes—hands-on, interactive kits designed for parents to use at home with their children. These boxes included a unique social emotional learning lesson plan based on the core competencies and DIY activities, that made social-emotional learning accessible and engaging in the home environment.

The response was overwhelming. The boxes sold out quickly, and what was even more amazing was that the impact reached far beyond my initial community. Stronger2ogether’s SEL boxes were even sent to schools in Ghana, Africa, where they supported children and families navigating their own unique challenges during the pandemic.

That pivot taught me the power of creativity, resilience, and the importance of meeting people where they are—especially in times of uncertainty. It also reinforced my belief that social emotional learning is essential, no matter the setting, and that connection can happen in many different forms.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One story that really captures my resilience happened early on in my journey with Stronger2ogether. When I first started, I faced a lot of skepticism—people didn’t always understand the importance of social-emotional learning or how emotional wellness could impact academic success and overall well-being. It felt like an uphill battle to get educators, parents, and even community leaders to see the value in what I was offering.

I believed deeply in this work because of my own experiences growing up—navigating an education system that too often defined me by my zip code and test scores, rather than seeing my full potential. Instead of getting discouraged, I kept refining our programs, listening closely to the needs of families and teachers, and finding new ways to connect and demonstrate impact.

The real test of resilience came during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our usual in-person workshops and school programs stopped almost overnight. Rather than give up, I pivoted—creating SEL curriculum boxes for parents to use at home. It was risky and uncertain, but the response was incredible, and that innovation allowed us to keep serving families when they needed support the most.

That journey taught me that resilience isn’t about never facing setbacks—it’s about showing up, adapting, and moving forward with purpose, even when the path isn’t clear. It’s a lesson I carry with me every day, both personally and professionally.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.stronger2ogether.org/aboutlatayviab
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamlatayviab/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/latayvia.brown.3/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/latayviabrown

Image Credits

photo credit one: AKS EDITIONS, LLC.

Photo credit two: Simply Dave Photography