A native of St. Lucia, Latoya is an author, song writer, motivational speaker, mentor, pastor, chaplain, entrepreneur, and more... Learning from both the positive and negative experiences of her life, the insight and wisdom she gained, and her compassion for the disenfranchised, she shifted her life’s work to helping others. Her goal in life is to make a difference in every life which she comes across and leave a legacy of positive works for her children.

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​Latoya has worked in the media industry as a radio personality, sound engineer, producer, and administrator for “WDJZ Radio 1530AM" in Bridgeport, Connecticut and has managed communications and video/media departments for faith entities. By assignment of a therapist Latoya discovered a hidden generational gift in photography and this led to her establishing her media/photography company called Yandia Designs and Photography covering from web design to photography to other graphic and media needs. 

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On the devastating heels of hurricane Tomas in 2010, she founded the non-profit organization H.E.L.E.N (Helping Every Lucian Empowering a Nation) serving victims across continents with needs and services. That year she went back to St. Lucia to deliver the goods and items collected for the victims. She has also partnered with government agencies and works tirelessly to help her community and with iServe, a youth focused community service movement.

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She became an advocate for abuse victims and started a ministry on abuse awareness and suicide awareness writing devotionals and launched a website called Related Healing. This propelled her to work with women and girls as a mentor and guide. Latoya is an empowerment facilitator with 4RWI, Inc since 2012 and has since used her talents to co-facilitate workshops on dealing with divorce and separation and written for the Empowerment 4 Real Women Magazine. One of her most humbling experiences is her time at Blue Mountain Academy, a christian boarding high school where she served in many capacities including supervisor and assistant Chaplain.

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She holds degrees in Criminal Justice and Divinity, an Ecclesiastical Endorsement in Campus Ministry by the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventist, Adventist Chaplaincy Ministry (ACM) and certifications by:

• ACS Nonprofit Leadership Certification Program

• Youth Mental Health First Aid America

• ACS Emotional and Spiritual Care, Group Crisis Intervention Training

• Urban Mission and Ministry Training

• NAD LGBTQ+ Training, and more…

Latoya is currently completing her healthcare Chaplaincy program, and is a Doctoral student at Andrews Doctor of Ministry Program with a concentration in Preaching.

She has written devotions for Praizeblogs, articles for the Andrews Seminary Magazine and she is currently a blogger for Outlook Magazine at the Mid-America Union, a writer for Message Magazine at the North Americas Division of Seventh-day Adventists, and has written for other publications in the subjects of faith, family, and healing. She is also the producer and host of Life Talks TV, a YouTube series of talks on everything pertaining to life and pathways to healing.

Latoya is the author of multiple books including the prayer guide, “I Will Rescue You,” and the soon to be released 180 Degrees: Life Lessons and Principles to Help Change Our Mindset, Volume 1. Our Mindset by Way of Our Value in God: Release the Negative Self Talk!,""Water My Soul Devotional,""Good Grief,” and “My Little Butterfly,” a true story of the life saving miracle of Victoria, her daughter, and “Safe House-Teen Devotional.”

*Her Mission from God - Aligning spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental health principles by being led by God with trust, thoughtfulness and care to help build trauma informed faith institutions and communities with the goal of caring for, restoring and increasing resilience in individuals throughout their journey of healing from crisis and trauma especially in the body of Christ. 

*Her Vision - “A Trauma Informed Church” and “Resilient Communities.” 

As a child of God she recognizes her talents and opportunities as a gift from above, and uses them to inspire others. She is a proud mom of three young adults, Sierra, Nigel, and Victoria and serves as Communications Pastor with Lead Pastor, Hyveth Williams at The Grace Place in South Bend, Indiana.