Latonia Wilkins

Being a mom. Everything goes back to being a mom. I was a foster child raised by my grandmother, and being a mom has instilled so much in me because it was so important for me to give my kids what I didn't have - not material-wise, but that support, to be there, to not leave them orphans. That prompted me to work harder on my health, be on top of my health. I wanted to make sure I saw my daughter walk across the stage at graduation. Last month at her graduation, I lost my ever-loving mind because I did it! With all the health challenges, setbacks in life, being unhoused, going without a car, bill collectors, working for bosses that didn't appreciate me - I've been a mom since I was 19, and I'll be 54 next week. I look at my kids and realize a lot of things I didn't have, things that were never shared with me. Had they been shared with me, I would have made better decisions or at least informed decisions. I'm working hard to ensure they have a different type of agency over their being, and I think for the most part, I have been successful with them.

Trust yourself. I grew up in an environment where I wasn't so sure of myself, which led me to just go along with what was happening. But in my mind, I'd have an idea that I know would work, but wouldn't trust myself. I was working at a group home for young girls, and I was sharing with my mentor something that was happening, and I said I know this could make a difference. She asked me, 'Do you ever trust yourself?' I said, well, yeah, if somebody gives me a chance to do it, I could do it. She said, no, no, no - do you trust yourself? Do you trust that voice in your head telling you to do something one way or another? That has stuck with me, because whenever I get in that imposter syndrome mode, I have to remind myself that I have overcome a lot of things. I was graduating from college in my 40s, making the provost and dean's list as a non-traditional college student. Anything that I have set my mind to, I can do it if I just have the space and the tools to do it. And sometimes I don't even have to have the tools - I build my own tools. I've learned to trust myself.

I'm going to regurgitate the advice that I was given: trust yourself. I think that we all have that inner voice, and a lot of us are scared to take a chance on ourselves. We're so used to having somebody else navigate our trajectory, whereas if we would trust ourselves, we would be on the path that was destined for us.

One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is maintaining hope, trust, and engagement within the communities we serve. Community members are experiencing constant change—whether it's shifts in healthcare access, public policy, funding, economic pressures, or social issues—and many of the systems and institutions they once trusted are being questioned or dismantled in real time.

As a community health advocate, much of my work depends on building relationships and trust. Today, that work is becoming increasingly difficult because many people feel overwhelmed, discouraged, and uncertain about the future. When communities repeatedly experience broken promises, changing policies, and barriers to accessing resources, it can create skepticism and make it harder to engage people in programs, services, and opportunities that are designed to support them.

My challenge is not only connecting people to resources but also helping them remain hopeful and motivated enough to believe that change is possible. This requires meeting people where they are, listening without judgment, being transparent about challenges, and consistently showing up even when trust has been damaged.

I believe that rebuilding trust starts with authenticity, accountability, and ensuring that community members have a meaningful voice in the decisions that affect their lives. Even during uncertain times, I remain committed to helping communities recognize their power, advocate for their needs, and create solutions that are driven by the people most impacted.

The values that guide both my professional and personal life are service, authenticity, equity, compassion, and community empowerment.

I believe in meeting people where they are and treating everyone with dignity and respect, regardless of their background, circumstances, or life experiences. Much of my work is rooted in service—helping individuals access resources, navigate systems, and find opportunities that improve their health and quality of life.

Authenticity is equally important to me. I believe trust is built through honesty, transparency, and a willingness to share both professional expertise and lived experience. Whether I am facilitating a community conversation, advocating for policy change, or supporting an individual one-on-one, I strive to show up as my genuine self.

I am deeply committed to equity and ensuring that communities most impacted by health disparities have a meaningful voice in the decisions that affect them. Rather than speaking for communities, I believe in creating opportunities for communities to speak for themselves and lead solutions.

Compassion drives how I engage with others, especially during times of uncertainty and change. People are often navigating challenges that are invisible to those around them, and I believe empathy is essential to building strong relationships and healthy communities.

Above all, I value empowerment. My goal is not simply to provide support, but to help people recognize their own strengths, advocate for themselves, and create lasting change within their communities.