Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Latonya Patterson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Latonya, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. One of the toughest things about entrepreneurship is that there is almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?
One of the most unexpected problems I’ve faced in my business is being a Black Woman who’s openly gay, in a same-sex marriage all while being a role model in the community. Many have questioned my moral beliefs when it comes to Mentoring Young Parents. I’ve had financial funding held from me once sponsors found out about my lifestyle as well.
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
My name is Latonya Patterson, I am the Founder/ Executive Director of Ambitiously Him Her King Foundation resides in Mobile, Alabama where I was born and raised. I’m a full-time devoted wife, mother of 5 and grandmother of 2.
I was inspired to create Ambitiously Him & Her King/Foundation through my own life experiences as a young mother(becoming pregnant at 19), as well as seeing my son’s hardships of being a teenage father at age 17. I’ve dedicated my life to helping female youth, teens, and young adult Parents.
My Purpose is to Inspire, Encourage, Motivate & be a positive impact on people’s lives.
This is also why I’m also the author of Enlightening Acquaintances Volume 1. A book for Youth, Young adults, and Parents. Enlightening Acquaintances Volume 1 is a book of short stories of Fictional Youth, Young Adults, and Parents, who are experiencing realistic, troubling, dramatic, and problematic situations. What will they do to find a solution or will they find a solution at all? Would you have done the same or found a better solution?
The outcome will leave you wondering how many individuals are experiencing these troubling situations and if it’s someone you know, you may help them have a different outcome.
What you decide, Matters. My mission is to get our Young People more active in picking up books and putting down guns, drugs, and their phones as a Youth and Young Parent advocate.
My career is her passion; I’m an Inspirational Expressionist, Spiritual Healer, Holistic Herbalist, Spiritual Life Coach, Author/Writer, Domestic Violence Advocate, Feminist, and Youth & Young Adult Advocate.
I’m honored to help and support The Youth, Teen, and Young Adult Parents in your Community as well as mines
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One of my lessons I had to unlearn is, that the toxic family behavior patterns I picked up as a child, weren’t what I needed to reflect on my children and the community. I had to learn to forgive and most importantly HEAL. Healing is a process but it’s also the doorway to PURPOSE.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
What helped me build my reputation within this market is the transparency of my testimony as a young parent, along with others. Sharing my hardships as well as others as a young parent, made some of our sponsors and community supporters more open to learning that it’s not just kids having kids; but why many youths are searching for love, and attention and trying to fill voids in the wrong direction or situations.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ambitiouslyhimher.org
- Instagram: Ambitiously Him Her
- Facebook: Latonya Patterson
- Linkedin: Latonya Patterson
- Youtube: Ambitiously Him & Her King Foundation
Image Credits
•The professional image of myself in the blue trousers: Ransom Phelps •The one with me and my wife: Terrence Smith