We were lucky to catch up with Monicqwa Wright-Smith recently and have shared our conversation below.
Monicqwa , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
I came up with the idea for Legacy of Light Mentoring because of my years as an educator. For over ten years, I’ve been in classrooms, hallways, and after-school spaces, and I started noticing a pattern—teen girls, especially, sometimes don’t have someone in their lives they can really turn to. Some don’t have an auntie or grandma to check on them, a sister to confide in, or even parents who are present.
I remember one afternoon, a quiet student stayed behind after school just to sit in my classroom while I graded papers. We didn’t have a big agenda—she just needed someone to listen. She told me about the pressure she felt at home, the things she worried about at school, the dreams she didn’t even know how to say out loud. Sitting there with her, I realized how much these girls needed a safe, supportive space. Moments like that weren’t rare—they happened all the time—and I felt called to make something bigger from it.
When I had my daughter in 2023, I stepped away from the classroom, and that’s when the idea really clicked: I needed to create a mentoring program that could meet girls where they are. Mentoring isn’t new to me—it’s been my life since I was 14, when my first job was a summer camp counselor. From there, I tutored, then taught, always drawn to guiding young people. It just felt natural to turn that passion into something tangible.
I knew Legacy of Light Mentoring was worthwhile because it’s different. I don’t just put together a one-size-fits-all program. I focus on each girl as an individual—her challenges, her strengths, her needs. I remember helping a mentee who had just started high school, unsure of herself and nervous about making friends. Over a few months, I watched her confidence blossom—she called me one day smiling, telling me she’d volunteered to lead a school project. Those transformations—seeing a girl step into her own light—are why I do this. That’s the reward, and it’s what keeps me so excited about this work.
Legacy of Light Mentoring exists because these girls deserve someone who sees them, hears them, and believes in them—and I get to be that person.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I was born and raised in New York City—yes, I joke sometimes like I grew up in a Fresh Prince vibe—but honestly, that’s where I spent most of my days. In 2020, during the chaos of COVID, I moved down to Atlanta. I was drawn by the buzz about entrepreneurship, especially the opportunities for Black entrepreneurs here, and I was curious, excited, and ready to see what this city had to offer. Even while exploring that path, I was still teaching—I taught in both DeKalb and Gwinnett County schools—and that’s where my journey toward building my own business really began.
Legacy of Light Mentoring grew from my experience as an educator and my lifelong passion for mentoring. I’ve always believed in meeting kids where they are, not trying to mold them into someone else’s idea of success. For me, it’s about being holistic, seeing the whole girl, and empowering her to become her best self. That includes working closely with parents—I always start with a free consultation with both the parents and the daughter, then meet with the girl alone, so I can truly understand her world and how we can all support her together.
I’ve created tools to support this work, like a an 80-page teen workbook that I self published titled “The Glow Up Guide: Discovering the Real You”. The workbook guides girls through everything from goal setting and personality exploration to study habits, friendships, and planning for life after high school. It’s incredible to see them open it up, share what they’ve worked on, and see that spark of excitement in their eyes during our weekly coaching sessions. Those moments—watching girls transform and grow—are what fill my heart.
What sets Legacy of Light apart is the personal, individualized approach. I don’t just deliver a program; I pour into each girl, fine-tuning, enhancing, and showing her possibilities she may not have even realized. I want her to feel seen, heard, and capable of chasing her dreams. That’s the essence of what I do—passing on light. The name itself, Legacy of Light, reflects this idea: when someone pours into you, you share it forward. That’s the legacy I want to leave for my daughter, for the girls I mentor, and for the community.
I know how vital mentorship is because I was that teen who needed someone to talk to who wasn’t my mom, sister, or auntie. I was lucky enough to have a few mentors, and even today, I still have mentors because growth never stops. I want my mentees to understand that too—you are always learning, always evolving, and it’s okay to have guides along the way.
Teen girls today face pressures we didn’t even have—social media, cyber bullying, societal expectations about looks, fashion, and success. Confidence and morale can take a hit fast, and that’s why spaces like Legacy of Light are so crucial. I’m proud of the work I’ve created, and my dream is to transform the lives of thousands of girls, helping them feel empowered, supported, and ready to shine. This is more than a program—it’s a movement of love, guidance, and lasting impact.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve had to unlearn is that I can’t be everybody’s hero. Coming from a background as a teacher and an educator, I was used to wanting to help every student, to solve every problem, to show every young person the way forward. Compassion is in my DNA—I want to lift people up—but over time, I realized that no matter how much I want to help, there’s only so much I can do if someone isn’t ready to meet me halfway.
In the beginning, it was hard. I would pour so much into a mentee, trying to show them the light, guide them, help them grow—and sometimes, it just wouldn’t stick. Personalities would clash, emotions would run high, and there were moments when I had to make a tough choice: either continue pushing, or step back. That’s the hardest part—walking away. But I had to accept that it’s okay if a mentee isn’t ready yet. It doesn’t mean I failed. It doesn’t mean they failed. It just means the timing isn’t right.
I’ve also had to learn how to communicate this to parents. Some expect me to work magic or “fix” everything for their child, but the reality is that the mentee has to want to help themselves first. My role is to open doors, to guide, to empower—but if someone isn’t ready to walk through those doors, there’s only so much I can do.
Legacy of Light Mentoring reflects this philosophy perfectly—my porch light is always on. Whenever a mentee is ready and willing, the door is open. And that has been one of the most important lessons of my journey: you can’t save everyone, but you can be ready, patient, and unwavering for those who are ready to receive the light.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
A major pivot in my life came in 2023 when I became a mom. Teaching has always been my passion—I taught high school English to about 150 students—but I’ve always known that being an educator isn’t just a nine-to-five job. Teachers constantly have to carry their work home, answering emails, grading papers, planning lessons, making calls to parents. Even during summers, if you teach summer school, the work never really stops. And yet, society often undervalues the dedication and energy teachers pour into their students.
When my daughter was born, I knew I had to make a choice. I couldn’t fully pour into 150 students while also giving my daughter the attention, love, and guidance she deserved. Stepping away from the classroom was emotional and difficult. I loved my students and the work I was doing, but I realized that my family needed me in a different way—and I needed to show up for them fully.
At the same time, I discovered a new calling. The birth of my daughter gave me the push to step into entrepreneurship and focus on something I had always been passionate about: mentoring teen girls. Legacy of Light Mentoring became that space where I could pour my energy into guiding, supporting, and empowering young women—while still being fully present for my daughter.
That pivot taught me a lot about timing, priorities, and listening to life’s calling. Leaving the classroom wasn’t stepping away from my purpose; it was redirecting it. If I hadn’t taken that leap, I don’t think I would have had the courage to pursue my dream of entrepreneurship or create the mentoring program that has become my heart and my mission.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.legacyoflightmentoring.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachsmithmentors?igsh=MWFiOHg2OWlweDljcg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicqwa-wright-smith-m-s-ed-42bba1344?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios
Image Credits
Headshot done by Ira Carmichael Photography