Inspiring Conversations with Shalonda Harris of Tailored Made Youth Mentorship

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shalonda Harris.

Hi Shalonda, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself. 
My name is Shalonda Harris, and I am the founder/CEO of two great mentor organizations called Ladies of Tomorrow and Designed W/A Purpose mentorship programs. I am a mother of 3 wonderful young men who I thrive for every day. I obtain an associate degree in Computer Informational Technology in December 2005 and a Phlebotomy degree February 2002. As a single mother, I have always dedicated my life to show my 3 boys that anything you put your mind to is possible. As part of my journey, I was taught by the older generation about values that seems obsolete. During my 15 years in the medical field, 3 years in corporate America, 7 years in education, and 21 years as a parent, I have learned it takes a village to raise 1 child but a community to raise more than 1. 

Growing up in a 3-bedroom house with 2 adults and 7 children, you can imagine the stories that could be told. I am the middle child of our blended family that never was afraid of taking risks and has always never stop reaching for a better life. I didn’t discover what I want to do until April 2010, which became the birth of Ladies of Tomorrow. It was like my eyes God opened my eyes to my purpose of life that I have been praying for. Once I saw not only do young ladies struggle with identity, self-esteem, being loved, and showing love, God showed me they are a reflection of what I have or had struggled with until the age of 35 years old. During my teaching years back In January 2018, my young men of students asked me what about them because they struggle within our culture as well. They were taught showing emotions is something they were taught not to do because it shows weakness. They also expressed they need a safe space like the one I provided for them to be vulnerable and shown as too. At that moment, Designed W/A Purpose was confirmed but only on paper. 

DWAP wasn’t fully birth until late August 2018. Both mentorship programs focus on financial literacy and entrepreneurship, which helps develop self-esteem, create or change character for the better, and show them it’s always better give than receive. We also help them to find their gifts and know the difference between their hobby and their gifts. I’m a true believer in “writing the VISION and making it plain so others follow.” 

We are a program that is dedicated to giving our youth options in life. I have spent time in the classroom settings and engaging with our students. They have expressed reasons for college and reasons for not going to college. We show and guide them on their choices and elaborate on entrepreneurship as another route to go. We start with their character by identifying what can be changed by them and what cannot be changed and how to use it to their advantage. I currently became a substitute after leaving the classroom in June 2018 because I wanted to be more effective. Our plan within the next couple of years is to have a “House of Hope” within the program. House of Hope will be a secondary program that will assist young adults with jobs or becoming their own boss, educating in financial literacy, networking resources for other entrepreneurs to gather together to build the community. Our end goal is to provide a place such as a community center that holds business classes for those who cannot afford to attend college, financial literacy, self-development classes, and so much more. Even though we cater ages 15-26 years of age, and they are approached differently in 2 categories the goal is still the same. Objective is to assure the correct knowledge is provided for our upcoming generation. As I have shown the statistics listed above of the hope or lack of. Ladies of Tomorrow and Designed W/A Purpose are here to change those numbers. We are currently holding groups at the historical Little Rock Central High School in their Wellness Center. Ladies of Tomorrow as well as our combined young girls and boys group called “Tailored Made,” meet every Tuesday. Both groups have 9th through 12th-grade students. Ladies of Tomorrow and Designed W/A Purpose mentorship program is also at Estem High School which is a charter school that has 10th through 12th grade students located on University of Arkansas Little Rock every. 

While continuing our program in Arkansas, I felt my program is needed in so many other states. Since my oldest is gone off to live his life in Minnesota, my middle son is enrolled in Henderson State University, and I only have my 11-year-old son at home it was time to branch out. I started packing and praying 6 months before I moved. I asked for 3 confirmations, and God showed me San Diego, California. Of course, every time I asked him is he sure because that is a big jump for this lil ole country girl, and every time God said yes. So that’s how I ended up running 2 programs, online Melanin baby boutique, and still have my clients I write contracts for while starting over in a much bigger state. I’ve been here a little over a year and have met and connected with some great people. I have only done a few things since I’ve been here with my organizations, but looking forward to planting my mark with my DBA Tailored Made Youth Mentorship Program. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
This transition has definitely not been smooth nor easy. I’m thousand miles away from everything I know, adjusting to the culture outside of my own and meeting the right people to connect with to help grow and give much-needed information back to our youth, especially within my own community. I have found it is not a lot of black communities here that I assumed it would be. Just learning how things are done here is very different than where I come from. I struggle with marketing here as well as just being able to learn who is for you or who just want something from you that doesn’t come from a nice place. Balancing my finances out here because of the ridiculous taxes that forces you to work for someone else and harder to work for yourself. I struggle going back to work because I haven’t worked for anyone since 2018. It was definitely an adjustment not just for me but for my son and my boyfriend which travels a lot in between California and Arkansas. He’s an upcoming comedian that has 2 flag shows that he is currently growing in other states as well as being booked as a comedian as well. But because of the love we have for one another, we are working it out. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Tailored Made Youth Mentorship?
Tailored Made Youth Program incorporates financial literacy, character development, and entrepreneurship education is designed to equip young individuals with the knowledge, skills, and mindset necessary for success in today’s complex and competitive world. We equip them with the “Youth Empowerment and Financial Success (YEFS).” 

Before we start with any teaching of finances, we want to get their minds open first by teaching character development. Character Development goal is to foster qualities like responsibility, integrity, resilience, and leadership, which are essential for personal growth and success in both professional and personal spheres. Once I am comfortable with knowing they are ready to receive the financial part, then we go into the financial literacy section. Financial Literacy helps educating young participants about financial concepts, including budgeting, saving, investing, and managing debt, empowering them to make informed financial decisions throughout their lives. After going into in-depth and being honest about how we manage our finances and come up with a better plan. The last part of the program is for those who are interested in becoming a business owner. Entrepreneurship helps introduce participants to the entrepreneurial mindset, teaching them how to identify opportunities, develop business ideas, and understand the basics of starting and running a business. In this section, we teach from start to finish of a start-up business. We don’t give them a product or service we take what their interest are and show them how to incorporate it into a business. 

We are known for our community engagements with the youth community in Arkansas and trying to do the same in San Diego, CA, and its surrounding areas. We had fundraisers for the last 4 years, doing “Would You Be Mine” Dating auction, Back To School Drive servicing over 300 backpacks, and holiday giveaways. 

Our youth program is set apart from other organizations because we aim to be a one-stop shop for our youth and young adults. Most programs I’ve come across only provide financial literacy education. They need to be more equipped than just showing how money works, but they need to be taught the mental responsibilities before financial responsibilities. If not, then they will just still be living paycheck to paycheck as adults. Also, by the end of our program, each youth will have a business plan that they can take the secretary of state and become a business owner. We also prove the payment to incorporate their business name. 

I am proud of the impact of our name that has influenced others to get involved. We have network of black-owned business who know and understands us that is committed to any event I asked them to sponsor or participate in. Our name carries weight in AR, and looking forward to doing the same in the state of CA. We have relationship as well with one of the most popular stations in Little Rock, AR 96.5 FM, The Box. 

I want your readers to know that we are an organization and an advocate for our youth, especially our culture. We are opened to partnering with other business owners or organizations with the same objectives. Our children in our culture should be given as much as the opportunity for a better life than any other. We are not here to be in competition but join the movement for them. 

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc.?
Our program base is based on two resources we teach from. Both are written by myself. “Limitless Destiny” you can find on Barnes and Noble website, and “Who are you?” on Amazon. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ladiesoftomorrowmentorship.org

Image Credits
Raw Photography