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

Hi LeTeisha, thanks for joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

1999 me and my brother drove to West Virginia to pick up our Father after he was released from Federal Prison. We left Richmond 4am in the morning to arrive there 4 hours later through the foggy highway and mountains. We missed picking him up from the first pickup. The guards gave us the next location. We were United with our father after 11 1/2 years. 8 of those years we did not see him, only talked to him over the phone when we were able to catch the call. Back then all we had was land line phones. The ride back to Richmond was a little awkward and exciting at the same time. We didn’t know one another. We had to get to know each. It was different haven’t him back home. When he was removed from us, I was in middle school and my brother was in elementary. When he returned I was grown with a son, and pregnant with my 2nd son.
We tried rebuilding our relationship but it was an extreme disconnection. I felt he wasn’t qualified to correct me or give me advice. Every time we would argue, I would feel emotions that I couldn’t explain. I had expectations of what I thought he should be.
Fast forward 2016. I was invited to speak on a entrepreneur panel at then Deep Meadow Correctional, and now State Farm Correctional. On that panel it was government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and entrepreneurs that rebuilt theirselves after becoming a convicted felon.
The narrative asked me at the end of the program., “ LeTeisha how would you rebuild a relationship with someone that has been released from incarceration?” I didn’t know how to respond. Me & my dad wasn’t speaking at the moment for about 6-7 months. I broke out into sweats, and tears. After that event the residents came up to me sharing how incarceration had separated them from their kids. It was several scenarios . On that ride home from Powahatan to Henrico Virginia God spoke to me. He told me rebuilding relationships was my purpose. I cried from the prison to my house. From there on I started sharing my story then created programs to assist families with rebuilding their relationships after being faced with adversity.

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 LeTeisha Gordon. I am a mother, daughter, sister, auntie, great auntie, and Nana. My two young men Dayon (28) and Trejon (21) Jones taught me how to love unconditionally and why loving them gave me expectations of what love means between a child and a parent.

I only wanted to share my story. I was hurt from my father returning home from incarceration after 11 1/2 years. We didn’t know how to communicate effectively. I was not trying to feel a need when A Better Day Than yesterday was created. I was broken and did’t realize how broken I was until he came home. I know I had expectations that was unrealistic.

I am a serial entrepreneur, community advocate, family advocate, child advocate, justice advocate, a trauma informed care trainer, work place excellence trainer, disaster behavioral health trainer, a family peer support specialist, and a youth developer. I never thought I would be any of it. Lol.. I knew I was meant to do something, but I didn’t know what it would be. I asked God what is my purpose? After the Fathers Day event in June of 2016 that Mrs. Whitted invited me too set the stage for what is now 7 years later with No knowledge of what I was doing but then later learned I was creating a Pathway for Families to Rebuild their relationship after facing adversity. I was stripped and rebuilt and now I’m being designed to grow and heal and help others at the same time.

A Better Day Than Yesterday Initiative Program focus areas are Family Reunification, Youth Development, and Re-Entry services. We have Federal/State/Corporation sponsorships. We will be opening our first Group Home for Young Girls and Women returning home from Incarceration in 2023 named Together Tackling Meaningful Goals Therapeutic Services that will support our mission for Family Reunification.

I am Grateful for the confidence God has in me. I trust him for his guidance that has guided me all the way here 47 years later and 7 years into helping others.

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

I cried every time I shared my story. I had to be restored and start my healing to be able to share it without crying. I remember my first Build-A-Dad Workshop facilitated in the community. I cried so bad during the workshop. It was uncontrollable. Lol. 1000+informational sessions later I can now make the audience cry & laugh sharing my story. I have now learned how to create an environment for me to be free in sharing my adversity.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

In 2018 I was introduced to Antonio Scales the Co-Pastor of Transformation RVA. He is now my brother in Christ/Partner/and Outreach Coordinator, and a sponsor. In 2021 I met my partner/brother Thomas Mundy. He is Also A Better Day Than Yesterday Outreach Coordinators and treasurer.
Both of them have helped me take A Better Day Than Yesterday to the next level in providing support to our community.

Contact Info:

• Website: Abetterdaythanyesterday.org
• Instagram: Abetterdaythanyesterday
• Facebook: Abetterdaythanyesterday
• Linkedin: Abetterdaythanyesterday
• Twitter: Abetterdaythanyesterday
• Youtube: Abetterdaythanyesterday

Image Credits
Credit Alonza Bland Virginia Department of Corrections Thomas Mundy