Latesha S. Walker

I was a single mom early in life, and I was met with a few obstacles that really shaped how I viewed poverty, world structure, and disenfranchised people. I had to look at systems early on to figure out what those power structures really meant for a woman of color like myself. I think it really pushed me into the areas that I went into. Those early experiences of navigating systems as a single mother gave me the perspective and drive to pursue social justice work, particularly for young black and brown folk who haven't always seen the side of social justice we wanted to see, and helping them realize brighter, more sustainable futures through community progress.

The best advice I've ever received was to think about my purpose and make sure it aligns with my life work. I was told not to be afraid to go for it, not to be afraid to be myself, not to be afraid to stand out, and not to be afraid to say no sometimes if it doesn't align. Making sure that it's always about purpose and living out your life's work through your purpose is what makes my work so organic, genuine, and authentic. To be my authentic self is the highest purpose. I just talked about this in my speech a month ago - this is my life's work, and that's what makes it so organic, because it's genuine and authentic.

I want them to go for it, have audacity, believe in their skills and their worth, and know that they're prepared just by essentially being who they are. It helps to train and pick up skills, but you also need to find an advisor, not just a mentor. Mentors are cool, but you need an advisor who will show you the ropes, especially if they've gone through those channels. Just kick the doors open and don't be afraid. Whatever obstacle you might face, whether someone told you you're not good enough or whatever it might be, overcome your fears and go forward. If I can do it, you can do it.

Public office opens up a world of public service, and when you pursue social justice, whether it's social justice in education, healthcare, or social justice reform in incarceration and carceral systems, the bottom line for me is all about democracy and fighting for the rights of the people. I think that the next opportunities will be looking at how to keep pushing democracy and allowing the people to be represented by the people. We've got to go to the heart of it, and that's protecting our democracy. We just gotta keep pushing democracy, and whatever door opens up to that extent, that's what we'll see if it aligns.

Upholding integrity and being a person of my word is most important to me. Being where I say I'm gonna be, doing what I say I'm gonna do, and following it through until it's completed. Folks hear what you say, but they also watch what you do, so it's important to really live that out. Don't just talk about it, really be about it. Let the work really show what you mean and who you are in life. You can do anything, but what you do well is who you are. What you do every day is who you are.