Her Story
About Leah
Leah Black has spent the last 11 years, since 2015, contributing to the nonprofit Youth and Senior Service Center in St. Louis, Missouri. In her role, she supports the Transportation Department by regulating routes and ensuring clients have proper documentation for medical and other appointments. She also assists with senior activities such as bingo and field trips, health information sessions, and case management for both youth and seniors, often navigating state-regulated programs and partnering with other organizations when needed. Black earned her degree in interdisciplinary studies focused on sociology, education, and English from Sarasota State University. She is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Authority Incorporated and mentors youth ages 13 to 25 to help them establish self-identity. She attributes her success to resiliency in the face of challenges, including a recent tornado that affected her community, and she is developing her own small nonprofit called Souls Helping Other Souls to further support the community.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Leah
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would say the resiliency, to just kind of see how problems arise, and then being able to move forward. Within the community that I'm working in, it's very unserviced. As I've been through the tragedies that's happened over the last year or so, because we had a tornado in our area, it's just helped me just kind of keep going.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Hold on to their sense of security, because as they go to help other people, they'll see how their other foundations may not be as solid. Being able to hold on to their belief of, I can help, I am not in their situation, but I do empathize, and I do see what I can help provide. As the young women get into the social work area, it pulls on your heartstrings, so being able to hold on to I am not in this, but I am with this person.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges include communicating with the different changes of what the children need and what's actually accessible to them, as well as the seniors, with just being able to make sure all things are available to them because of red tape. Opportunities include exposure to people who want to help as the organization expands, partnering with politicians and other nonprofits to provide services to the community.
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