Meet Latoya Hopwood | CEO, Founder, & Global Chief Cultural Officer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Latoya Hopwood and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Latoya, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

Believing that creativity is life, I dived into the A in STEAM at an early age. I’ve always loved acting, singing, writing, and reading. Loving these things allowed for a smooth transition into a career of training, coaching, consulting, literacy, data collecting, and a strong passion for creating optimal learning environments. As my life and career progressed, so did a pressing desire to increase the collaboration of purveyor and intermediary organizations. I know first-hand that it isn’t easy for colleges, universities, or companies to practice in communities that rightfully lack trust. That’s where I come in. As CLC’s Global Chief Cultural Officer, I support the merger and collaboration by acting as a bridge to companies who care and communities who desire their support. Putting people at ease and gaining their trust comes uniquely easy for me. With that, I’ve learned to capture the essence of my uniqueness and share what I do so others can bring people together as well. Training and coaching CLC Cultural Brokers on how to successfully unite people, including building and sustaining partnerships and trust, bring me joy. I encourage everyone to be their unique self. The world needs you and they need you to be who you are genuinely called to be. Who knows? Your passion may lead to your next career!

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

Honestly, I wouldn’t say this is one of the most challenging things, but I would say it is something to note. Watching people turn their cameras off is both challenging and rewarding. It’s challenging because if we were all in a room doing this racial equity, diversity, and inclusion work, there would be no place to go; we would all have to grow in it. So, in some cases, keep your camera on. I want to see who’s struggling with this so I can know who’s in the room. I want to call on you. I want to hear what you have to say. I want to understand. On the other hand, it’s rewarding because we can turn off our cameras, step away, cry, walk around our homes and look at pictures of our loved ones. Looking at those pictures we are reminded of happier times and once we regroup, we can turn our cameras back on, ready with prioritized thinking and a mindset that is now available to support others.

I’m very proud of what we do at CLC.

Our services include the following:
Racial Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Training, Consultation & Coaching
Our training and coaching focus on racial equity, diversity, and inclusion implementation and sustainability.

Community Development & Sustainability Partnerships
Our community development & sustainability partnerships service focuses on strengthening the collaborative relationships between willing entities and their shared objectives.

Books & Materials
One of the materials we offer is CLC’s Àkwà mmiri – That’s Igbo for Bridge! – Bridge is a culturally empowering PreK-3rd grade STEAM and SEW curriculum with an emphasis on African representation. This curriculum proudly includes diverse stories for us and by us. Including joyful poems and inspiring bios about incomparable leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X.

If you’re looking to partner with an organization that provides services with dignity and free of harm, reach out to us.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well, I’m a foodie who went vegan about 10 months ago and I have to say this journey began a little rough, especially since I am Jamaican and Puerto Rican. Honestly, outside of Slutty Vegan in ATL and SAM a.m. in Jersey City, both of which I love, I had no idea where to eat. Good thing my besties Melody and Martel are foodies as well, and although they are of the carnivore persuasion, they love delicious food, vegan or not. So, after many trials by tasting and being the true foodie I am, I was able to find some excellent vegan places in South Florida worth a visit. One of the places is Leafy Vietnamese Restaurant in Pembroke Pines, Fl. Their vegan udon soup and vegan stir fry pho are weekly items in my home. Another place to visit is Parlour Bakery in Plantation, Fl. They have the most delicious vegan desserts. Try the trifle! It’s amazing! Speaking of desserts, when at Vegandale Miami, Martel and I tried Cleveland’s Old Fashion Ice Cream and it was great. They are in Miramar, Fl. Also, if one of my besties is interested in Indian food – Arun’s Indian and Taco Masala in Sunrise, Fl, is the place. I love the chana masala tacos, vegan or not, they are good! If they were in the mood for a messy and good burger, the fakin bacon cheeseburger at Burgerhive’s located in Davie, Fl., would do the trick. The last place I would take my besties is Vegan Delight in Miramar, Fl. Whether you are vegan or not, you will return again and again for their “beef” pastry- pastelitos de “carne”. It’s worth the visit. And I would be remiss not to mention Starbucks! Order a grande or venti chai tea latte with oat milk and two pumps of brown sugar aka the Teddy Graham. Vegans and meat eaters go nuts when I purchase this for them. My son Brian got this drink for me about three months ago and it’s so good, I completely walked away from coffee and haven’t had it since. He describes it as Christmas in a cup! I describe it as a miracle!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Oprah! Oprah did this to me. Shoutout to her. – Who knew my firm’s racial equity, diversity, and inclusion journey would begin with the ICON Oprah Winfrey, but it did! I remember watching an episode of The Oprah Show and not being able to unhear what I just heard. It was illegal for Black People to read? In the 90s, I couldn’t pause the tv and rewind, or I would have. I wanted to make sure I heard her correctly. Thankfully, I soon realized I didn’t have to. Oprah’s words for some reason came out real slow and I couldn’t hear what she said before that sentence or after, purposed to focus on it. I remember allowing my mind to question and wonder. Good God, I was thinking…something my ancestors weren’t supposed to do! I envisioned my ancestors and pioneers of the movement glowing in such beautiful light and garnishing the most welcoming faces. Faces that also read, “It’s time you knew.” A fire was ignited! At first, I was infuriated! I wanted to know why and then I wanted to read everything! So, I did! I learned about all of it! I learned about them, us, then, now, together, separated, we…I learned about me! And I read so well, I teach others to read. I am determined to always learn and support others as they learn. It is pure fire driving me and no matter how hard people try, no matter the clever and evil forms of extinguishing or unimaginable types of dousing, my passion for racial equity and justice won’t stop burning. It will never stop burning!

Website: www.clcscience.com

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Other: LatoyaMichelleHopwood.com – Author, Singer & Songwriter, Editor-in-Chief, Christian Blogger, & Christian Coach