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

Alright, Latrese thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I was in my mid 40’s when I decided to go back to college. It does not seem like a big deal, but for someone who had tried 3 times and failed. For someone who had 5 daughters and a whole husband and was busy with their lives it was a HUGE deal. How would I manage my time? I had already failed 3 times perhaps college was not for me! I am too old to be trying to live that dream. I am successful with a makeup business, and I have professional speaking engagements, not to mention who can say they co-hosted for their local lifestyle show on local TV. Not to mention I was the only black woman to accomplish that for that show. I was a radio segment contributor for one of the oldest black owned radio stations in my area. So I have enough accomplishments who needs a degree. What is one defeat? Well despite all the thoughts and voices in my head I took a risk and enrolled myself. I was so scared that I would not finish so I only told a handful of people, just in case I did not finish again. Well long story short I graduated in May 2019 with my BA in Organizational Leadership. However, that is not the good part. I went back and received my Master’s in School of Social Welfare just 2 months before my 50th birthday. That was a HUGE RISK for me.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I entered in the TV field by doing beauty segments for 2 different lifestyles shows in my city. After a couple of years I was offered a position from one of the shows to do fill in hosting (without a degree or prior experience). Of course I jumped at the opportunity. Everything happens for a reason. Working with some great people on the show I connected with a young lady that I co-hosted with who was in her final year of getting her master’s in social work. Well anyone who knows me knows I love anything mental health. We would talk for hours about trauma, resilience, therapy, etc. and she suggested I go back and get my masters and become a therapist. I am so honored to be a black counselor because we are needed in this space of mental health/therapy.

I love what I do because it is what I am called to do. I believe the Lord had placed everyone on this earth with a purpose. I have discovered and still discovering my purpose because it is forever evolving. I am driven by my passion to inspire, uplift, and educate people about their mental wellness.

What sets me apart from others because I am confident and comptent in what I do but at the same time I am so humbled to get the opportunity to serve people, to serve my community in this manner.

I am so proud when a client tells me that meeting with me has made the difference between life and death for them. Or when a client tells me because of the space I have provided for them, they are able to start the healing process from their trauma. That brings me chills. Or just when I go to the schools in the inner city and talk to the youth about my career and little black girls are so intrigued by what I do and are inspired to do the same.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Here is my LIFE in a nutshell. I was molested as a child and made to believe it was my fault. I suffered with low self-esteem and suicidal ideation. I did not fit in because I was to black for the white community, but to white for my black community. Flunking out of college 3 times. Going through a horrific marriage and divorce. Loosing a child. Being a single parent for a few years.

My illustration of reslilence is by the grace of God I am still here. I am not just surviving , but thriving. I was able to overcome and operate in my God given power and now I help others through their trauma.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson that was taught to me that I had to unlearn is that your mistakes define you. In fact they do not define you but they only teach you a lesson. For so long I allowed my mistakes to define me and I gave permission to people to define me by my mistakes. Therefore, I lived in guilt and shame. I was very critical of myself. However, I did the work through my faith and therapy ( Jesus + Therapy= Healed) Therapy is a Devine intervention from God. I can talk about my mistakes without feeling any type of shame or embarrassment.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.latresekabuya.com
• Instagram: tresekabuya
• Facebook: Latrese Kabuya, Mental Health Advocate
• Linkedin: Latrese Kabuya, MSW
• Twitter: treskabuya

Image Credits
photo 5 KCTV 5 photo 6 Hello Iowa