SwagHer Spotlight: LaCora Stephens

LaCora Stephens is a friendly and familiar face that is frequently gracing us on the red carpet scene and local television. Having hosted exclusive interviews, on-set visits, and popular events with major networks such as  OWN, FOX, Sony, Oxygen, and BET,  all which led to her appearance as host and executive producer on Arroyo Channel 32, The YES! Show: Young, Entertaining & Saved! As a young Christian single, LaCora is proving that positive images and conversation can still make good for television. Raised in the sunshine state of Florida, this southern girl with a big smile and a personality to match holds a degree in theatre education with seven years of professional teaching experience. She currently is a graduate student enhancing her communication skills for international ventures.

 

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

LaCora: This is so hard to answer. My first thoughts were my confidence, tenacity, endurance, fairness, curiosity…the “love yous” from my parents and family, the jokes with my sisters, my grandma’s smile, and my nana’s laugh. But then, I was like…I don’t know if that sounds right, so my mind went to the green grass and hoods of Duval county. Mosquitoes, green trees, flying roaches, and railroad tracks in my down-south living made me down to earth. My experience at FAMU gave me moxie. And God, well, He didn’t bless me with the ability to sing, solely to keep me humble. Teehee!

Christina: You have hosted exclusive interviews, on-set visits, and popular events. How were those experiences for you?

LaCora: The experience is always so different, so I go intending to do my job and to learn. As a former educator, I look to evolve and grow constantly. I’m reminded that celebrities are “people” just like you and me. One time, Jenifer Lewis ran to my microphone with full energy saying, “YES!!!! The YES! Show!!! YES! Darling, Talk to Me!” We laughed, and then she began to tell me how she suffered from bi-polar and shared her story and testimony, I was reminded of their humanity. They sit so high sometimes; we forget that we experience some of the same struggles. Or sometimes the experience is peer focused. My fellow journalists make the experience so wonderful at times, especially when the celebs aren’t so nice. The Jasmine Brand once taught me on a red carpet, that media is just as important as the talent and that our time is valuable. All carpets aren’t suitable for your yes. I learned from Eric J. Chambers of The Cut Network that media may be invited, but it doesn’t always mean we’re welcomed. The etiquette skills and techniques he has should be trademarked! Zon D’Amour taught me technical skills for my camera. Danielle Young taught sheer kindness and joy to our fellow reporters go a long way! Many people are always interested in celebrities, but the real stars are sometimes the ones asking the questions.  

Christina: How do you like working as a host and executive producer? Is it hard? Do you sometimes get overwhelmed?

LaCora: I love being a host and a producer! Imagine creating an idea and developing it from the ground up or talking to some of your lifetime heroes and sheroes. Hours can get long sometimes, events and celebs can be exhausting, but it’s nothing like seeing the fruit of your labor. Because I see all parts of content creation and development for my projects like The YES! Show or Relationship DEEP DIVE, I can stay up until 5 am sometimes editing, writing, or scouting and I get so angry sometimes because I’m hungry and tired, but I keep doing it. I keep going. Yes, I need a reminder sometimes, so I glance at a handwritten card I keep next to my laptop, “Fall in love with the journey.” It can be overwhelming for sure, but the destination is so worth it!

Christina: As a host, I’m sure you’ve been around several celebrities. Who was the nicest star you’ve met? 

LaCora: Great question! Everyone always wants to know who was the meanest, which, I’ll share that list after the interview, lol. I’m kidding. Only my family, friends, and red carpet hosts know those names but, I digress. The nicest stars I’ve met have been Cece Winans, Taraji P. Henson, DeVon Franklin, Cedric the Entertainer, and Yvette Nicole Brown. I’ll never forget how Taraji’s people were trying to whisk her away because she was needed on stage, but she said, “No, she hasn’t asked her question yet. Go ahead, sis.” Then smiled at me! Y’all! Do you know how that made me feel? This is not normal on carpets at all. She will forever be cool in my eyes. But you know what? Each and everyone I mentioned just was as friendly, kept the convo going, complimented my skills, and/or have shared and reposted my coverage. They weren’t pretentious, arrogant, rude, or act like I haven’t interviewed them “fifty-leven” times. Just awesome, friendly, and nice people.

Christina: You have a degree in Theatre Education. What persuaded you to go that route?  

LaCora: Picture it, (no, not Sicily), but you see where I’m going with the Golden Girl reference. It was a perfect evening in Tallahassee on Florida A & M’s campus. The theatre department is known as “The Essential Theatre” put on “Dearly Departed.” Talented young actors graced the stage with comedic chops that SNL couldn’t touch. The lead actor, Charles Wesley Lattimore Jr, was such a natural. I hung on to his every word. Before I knew it, I whispered to myself, “I can do this.” After the standing ovation, I told him how great he was. He asked me my name and major and suggested that I talk to the director, Luther Wells, about my major options. So, I did. Mr. Wells set an appointment with me and realized I expressed interest in my initial college application. He said Theatre Performance, Theatre Business, Theatre Education, and Technical Theatre were my options. I went with education for the security of employment, to be honest. But working with children grows on you; these little rascals are pretty awesome., so education is a huge part of me now.

Christina: You label yourself as a Christian single. Have you had any problems in the dating world because of that?

LaCora: Being a Christian single is hard, and maybe not for the reasons you’re thinking. Many fake Christians will come out the woodwork disguising themselves as holy to get in your graces. Some will even go to the extent of marrying you just to have a “good” woman in their life for the facade of others. It’s sick. A lot of wolves are in the congregation and sometimes in the pulpit. And then some Believers are too sanctified and holy for their own good. I’m a girl from the hood that’s educated, opinionated, a little loud during movies, and I like fitted skirts. Everything about what I just mentioned may be too much for a holy roller, so they spend most of their time in the relationship trying to teach you to speak in tongues. It’s team too much at times, which will most likely be written in some form of entertainment as I did with my short film “Dating & Waiting” and new series “Relationship DEEP DIVE.” And just keep me in prayer, child. 

Christina: What advice would you give young, single, Christian women in today’s dating world? 

LaCora: My biggest advice for any young single woman is to be YOU. Forget the facade, the etiquette, and God forbid the desperation. Know who you are and what you want before you go out painting the town red with these jokers. Remember what I told you earlier, there are wolves among us, sis. Don’t waste your time on them. Okay? As you date, don’t rush, and please ask God for discernment and not to be fooled. Ask God to reveal his heart to you, and whatever you do, don’t seek a man. Nope, simply put yourself in his presence, while you’re feeling your best and most comfortable. And ladies, don’t just ask God for a husband, no ma’am, we don’t do that anymore. Ask God specifically for what you want. For example, I told God that whoever I marry will be a reflection of Ephesians 5:25-27. 

Christina: Who or What inspires you?

LaCora: Beautiful Black people inspire me. We are different, special, and unique. The resilience, creativity, emotions, humor, swag, kindness, loudness, and faith is always inspirational. Have you seen us? Look at your mother, daddy, siblings, your crazy uncle, and nana—nothing like us. I think of my mom sometimes, and I get emotional. She’s been through so much, but her big smile, energy, laughter, is never-fading. Never. I wish we were treated better, but as we move, our people are always cheering each other on in the back with an “Ayyyyeeeee!!!!!” I love my people! N-o-t-h-i-n-g-L-i-k-e-U-S. 

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

LaCora: I have two projects. One is a short film, which I may turn into a feature. It’s a little different from my other projects because it’s a drama covering family and molestation issues. We’ve seen it, lived it, and done not much of anything about it. We even sit with the piece of trash during Thanksgiving and act like nothing ever happened, That needs to stop. Hopefully, my film will create a dialogue that inspires change. Another project I’m working on is a unique series entitled #BlackMenTalk. It’s an all-black men panel speaking candidly on religion, race, and social justice. The first phase has received great feedback, so I’m currently in pre-production for phase two with hopes of it growing with various backgrounds, races, religions, etc. The series is now available for viewing on www.LaCoraStephens.com/blog.

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

LaCora: As a southern woman, I honor a beautiful sister that left us with some searing words.  “If you are silent about your pain, they will kill you and say you enjoyed it.” -Zora Neale Hurston. We all have a story that isn’t as shiny as a polished penny, and that’s okay. Whatever it is, use it for your good. God tells us that all things work together for our good. Find it; it’s there. 

 

Connect with LaCora below:

Website: https://www.lacorastephens.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/TheYesShow

Instagram: @lacorastephens

Facebook: theYESshow

LinkedIn: lacorastephens