Meet Radio Personality, Entrepreneur, and Life Coach, Latoya Dawson

Latoya Dawson is a Marketing Manager at NJPAC in Newark, NJ. Her career accolades span over a decade working with several large firms, including Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Bristol Meyers-Squibb, and most recently Nonstop Show Group, where she is a Production Coordinator for film. 

Born and raised in Plainfield, NJ, she always had an unprecedented sense of hard work and dedication. A successful entrepreneur, talented actress, mentor, and life coach, she uses her voice at BKS1 Radio in Plainfield, NJ, to advance positive changes in the community as well as the upliftment of women on the popular award-winning show Outstanding Women Who Help Heal (O.W.W.H.H ), which airs nationwide on multiple platforms.

One of her largest events, The First Annual 2018 Women’s Empowerment Conference, took place on Saturday, February 3, 2018, in Newark, NJ. The conference’s goal was to assist women in removing the mask and insecurities that often form from economic, social, and cultural dysfunction. The successful event aimed to assist women in creating new and healthy opportunities for the future. “By taking just one step to heal one another, we can make significant strides at healing relationships, families, and our communities,” Latoya says.

When Dawson isn’t working hard in her career, she is knee-deep into her love for Philanthropy, boasting an impressive list of charitable services and devoting her free time to meaningful causes. 

The Queen Code Mentoring Group was created to assist teen girls and most recently partnered with Principal Akbar Cook of Westside High School for his Lights On program in Newark, NJ. The OWWHH Show Giveback to Homefirst Interfaith Housing for Women and The Youth work to fight childhood obesity with the Plainfield Boxing Academy.

Dawson understands that sometimes it’s our own life choices that lead us into unfavorable predicaments. Having become a mother at 17, she knows the struggles of finding yourself and overcoming obstacles while being treated as a statistic. However, Latoya triumphed by attending Rutgers University, marrying (later divorcing) her high school sweetheart, and raising her two children Edward and Ethan. “Out of darkness comes light” Dawson used this mantra to begin her work as a certified life coach, where she pulls from personal experience to assist others in achieving their goals.

 

Christina: What is your SwagHer? What makes Latoya, Latoya?

Latoya: I believe my SwagHer is the ability to reinvent myself, recreate, understand the past and the present and use it all to move forward. What makes me Latoya is my resilience, attitude, and faith.

Christina: Tell us a little bit about The Queen Code Mentoring Group. 

Latoya: Queen Code was a group started by myself and a radio show partner geared toward mentoring young ladies between the ages of 13-18 in education, self-assessment, and ability and present adolescent issues.

Christina: How did you get into radio? 

Latoya: Crazy story. I actually went to the radio station one day with a friend who was a guest on a show. A young lady was missing from the panel that evening, and the owner asked if I had any experience, and I said yes. ( I really didn’t.) It seems it all worked out, though.

Christina: You became a mother at 17. How did that inspire you to do everything that you’ve done?

Latoya: Becoming a mother while a child inspired me in multiple ways. First, I knew I had to succeed to take care of my children and be a good mother to them, but secondly, I felt like I had something to prove to everyone that told me I ruined my life by becoming a mother young. All those that doubted me. That no longer plagues me at this time, but it once did.

Christina: Tell us a little about Outstanding Women Who Help Heal. Why did you start it?

 Latoya: OWWHH was not originally my brainchild, but as I grew on the show, it became my own, and now I Host and Produce it and all of the events associated with it. I changed the acronym from Only Women Where High Heels (because that isn’t true) to Outstanding Women Who Help Heal. The show now aims to heal African Americans as a people in all facets of life through true and transparent dialogue.

Christina: How was the 2018 Women’s Empowerment Conference? Was it everything you thought it would be?

Latoya: The conference was everything I thought it would be and more. The speakers, vendors, and healing that occurred from each woman and your lady was precisely how I pictured it.

Christina: What do you do to practice self-care? 

Latoya: Pray, demand alone quiet time, get massages, drink wine occasionally, meditate, listen to motivational messages. Shop maybe, spend time with the girls if I need to, etc.

Christina: Do you have any upcoming events or projects you would like our readers to know about?

Latoya: Yes, I’m in the process of creating another podcast entitled Manifest Destiny that will focus on life coaching advice and getting back into the studio with a lineup of interviews.

Christina: Is there anything else you would like to share? 

Latoya: Just a word of positivity and kindness. If you’re still here, God has a purpose for your life. It’s your job to know that and make it your mission to figure out what it is. Also, remember that we have multiple purposes in life, so don’t put yourself in a box.

 

Connect with Latoya below:

Instagram: @latoyashanelle1

Facebook: LatoyaDawson