We recently connected with LaTeisha Clément and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, LaTeisha thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
The most meaningful project I worked on was writing my book, Behind The Face. It’s a memoir that navigates all of the relationships that led me back to myself including the romantic and parental ones. I started uncovering layers of me that were affected by how I grew up and began talking about the trauma. I couldn’t heal from what I didn’t face. Through this journey, I identified patterns in my relationships that mimicked my upbringing or stemmed from insecurities developed during childhood.
I used to internalize the conditioning that women were meant to be seen and not heard, which is why it took me so long to tell my story. I knew this narrative was messed up, but that cognizance didn’t shield me from subconsciously absorbing the bs. We [as women] have the right to speak! So let’s talk about all the ish we’ve been dealing with and take up space!
Behind The Face is a story of a woman who loves herself enough to tell the truth even when it hurts. Healing is necessary and it is high time we say what’s on our minds to release the pain, shame, and guilt.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Well, I’m a laidback momma and style coach who’s coming to terms with her womanhood. I’m figuring out what it means to be me and operate from a place of sincerity and peace. I haven’t given myself enough time to mourn the old version of me because it’s hard to reconcile that with who I am becoming. But God is showing me, day-by-day, who I am and the beauty that’s come from my ashes.
I am a philanthropist, a mother, a voyager, and a remarkable woman who’s been through some stuff! Yet, my past doesn’t define me. I am forgiven. That’s the light I want to share with whoever will listen.
Style Coaching came from me being still, which led me to realize I’m most alive when I am expressing myself through fashion. I used to run away from being a Creative because I felt no one would take me seriously. But there is a space for me and what I have to offer! A lot of times, how you express yourself (through fashion) is a direct reflection of how you feel on the inside. And that is the “problem” I am solving – helping people connect with what’s been holding them back, in order for them to show up as the fullest versions of themselves.
Right now, I inspire women through style posts and fashion videos on YouTube that encourage them to be fully present while looking good in the process! Intersecting style and personal development is the sweet spot. The ultimate flex is knowing who you are and feeling good about yourself. Style coaching allows me to pour into the whole woman, not just what she looks like on the outside.
When it comes to my brand, it’s all about authenticity. And as your Style Coach, I’ll guide you to where you want to be while incorporating personal development in the process.
Check out my services at lateishaclement.com.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Whew! Ok.
I was in the groove of writing my book and even hired a writing coach. We met regularly each month for check-ins and in our third session I just couldn’t write anymore. I had gone to court that day regarding “co-parenting” issues and did not have the bandwidth to do anything. I actually had a mental breakdown, tears and all. Here I was writing a book about my life and the struggles of single parenting while dealing with those exact trials in real-time. It was all too much and my empathetic writing coach said, “I get it. Sometimes, part of the process requires rest.” So, I rested, cried, took some time for myself, and regrouped.
If any of you are parenting a child with a person you’re no longer with (and have a challenging history with them), then you KNOW how taxing that can be.
On that particular day, I did not have the capacity to relive memories of someone I was still dealing with! Thus, the writing had to be put on hold.
Now I’m rarely this open about specific details of my life for the sake of my son’s privacy and well-being. In that same vein, what I will say is: “If you know, you know.” I love that I don’t have to explain myself to the single mommas in the back! We get it! We know the stuff that goes on behind closed doors – the emotional turmoil that tries our patience on a daily. But we keep going because our kids need us. Hell! We need us. I also go to therapy in order to function at my highest level. So, resting, getting therapy, and showing up for myself were ways I exuded resilience.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Yes! Meditation.
I wish I knew how to be still and follow God’s voice because I self-sabotaged a lot along the way. I remember being pregnant when I finally decided to reapply to F.I.T. for Fashion Design after reneging on an application years prior. I literally completed everything including the design portfolio. The next day, I walked up to the mailbox, and did not put the envelope in. I felt I wasn’t good enough to go through with the application process and wrecked any chances of me being accepted. This was the first time I blatantly walked away from my dreams.
So, when I made up my mind to apply again, I had this fresh new wind! I was GOING TO BECOME A FAHSION DESIGNER! But all of that changed when I found out there was a baby on the way.
I confided in someone I respected and let them talk me out of doing what my heart desired because in their purview, I had to “focus on the baby.” Suddenly my dreams and goals didn’t matter anymore, and I died a little bit inside. Their Old School Mentality left no room for me as the Creative. They snuffed my dreams. But if I knew how to be still and follow my own guide instead of internalizing their rhetoric, I could have found a way to do both – pursue my passion, and become that amazing mother! I didn’t have to sacrifice one for the other. It probably would have made pregnancy a tad bit easier too. My journey to motherhood was more taxing emotionally than it was physically.
Meditation would have definitely benefited me earlier in my creative journey.
My trajectory has been a rollercoaster. Not linear. However, there’s growth and I’m learning to appreciate the journey as I pursue my destinations.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lateishaclement.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lateishaclement/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lateishaclement/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC084bPZ22WJ2Sz6JSpDQylg
- Other: Portfolio: https://lateishaclement.wixsite.com/portfolio My Book: https://www.lateishaclement.com/my-book (From My Site) https://www.amazon.com/Behind-Face-Memoir-Lateisha-Clement/dp/1636160581/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1684808692&sr=8-1-fkmr0 (Amazon) https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/behind-the-face-lateisha-cl-ment/1143477181 (Barnes & Noble)
Image Credits
Behind The Face Cover Photo – Michael Olisemeka (Semeka Pro) – cover designed by Opportune Independent Publishing Company) Selfie – Me Photo w/Brick Background – Damian Copeland Photo w/Coat & Scarf – Damian Copeland Photo w/My son – Jetro Nicolas