Liberator Spotlight: Latreva Herndon Washington Empowers New Generations Through Education
Texas-native, Latreva Herndon Washington is a multi-hyphenate when it comes to community. She is an educator, currently teaching 5th grade Reading and Social Studies, voice for the Queer community, and visionary with a mission. As the founder of Self Actualized Inc. and soon to be graduate of Project Liberate, Latreva is on a quest to further empower young women of color, providing them with the tools they need to navigate life with confidence and self-worth.
Growing up in challenging circumstances and facing the loss of her mother at a young age, Latreva knows firsthand the difficulties of navigating life’s challenges without proper support systems, especially for young women and women of color. Her experiences drove her to create Self Actualized Inc., a beacon of hope for girls facing similar circumstances. As a former teacher, Latreva understands the importance of education, with a career spanning over fifteen years, in empowering young minds. Through Self Actualized Inc., she aims to equip girls with essential life skills, instilling in them a sense of self-love, self-worth, and self-confidence. By incorporating storytelling and public speaking into her programs, Latreva prepares girls to navigate the challenges of adulthood with grace and resilience.
Latreva’s path to success was not without its hurdles. Imposter syndrome and self-doubt threatened to derail her dreams until she discovered Project Liberate. This transformative program provided her with the guidance, support, and validation she needed to turn her vision into reality.
“Project Liberate’s validation was the biggest gift that they could have given me; letting me know that this dream is real,” said Latreva on her experience. “I believe that these programs are important, because otherwise many of us would not have the opportunity to get the funding, to get the knowledge, to get the access, to get networking opportunities, or to get the exposure to this experience.”
Latreva’s vision extends beyond the borders of her community. Through initiatives like the Black Dolls Project, she seeks to make a tangible difference in the lives of girls around the world. By collecting and distributing black dolls to underserved communities, Latreva hopes to inspire young girls to embrace their identities and dream big.
To aspiring entrepreneurs and changemakers, Latreva has a simple message: “Do it. Even if you feel like you don’t know anything, don’t let that hold you back.”
Follow Latreva Herndon Washington on Instagram and listen to her podcast, Mrs and Mrs: The Podcast here.
