Speaker Profile
Ms. Laketa M. Smith

A daughter of New Orleans and graduate of Loyola University New Orleans (Bachelor of Art in Criminal Justice, Minor in Sociology) Laketa, Executive Director-Founder of A Bella LaFemme Society, CEO & Senior Editor of Educated Bella Publishing, LLC, National Author of “The Healing Deck,” Regional Disaster Response & Relief Specialist is planting seeds of empowerment and resilience globally by captivating audiences across platforms through virtual/hybrid engagements. Laketa works diligently as an active member with organizations, VOTE, The Promise of Justice Initiative, Black Voters Matter, The Clean Slate Coalition, East Baton Rouge Parish Prison Reform Coalition, The Power Coalition, Junior League of Baton Rouge, Leaders of Color, She Leads and more to put an end to The New Jim Crow Laws across the State of Louisiana.

 

As a Statewide Policy Organizer, Laketa also advocates for mental wellness throughout her multi facets of community engagements locally and internationally. Laketa's latest accolades includes; A Proclamation given by Governor John Bel Edwards in recognition of her disaster response and relief efforts she led during Hurricane Ida, which resulted in over 8,000 families being served. She served as Vice President of The Friends of Capitol Park Museum's Board of Directors. Past Chairwoman of Civic Engagement for Urban League's Young Professionals of Louisiana. In response of the increased violence in New Orleans, Laketa was appointed by Mayor LaToya Cantrell's Office of Youth and Families as the Faciltator of The Mayor's Youth Advisory Council. In a recent tragedy involving gun violence, Laketa loss her lifelong friend, Charlene Jarreau. She is inspired by turning her pain into purpose by advocating for CVI and gun control. Laketa proudly wears many crowns, she is a Coalition Leader with The Plessy & Ferguson Initiative, RAI Board Member, LA Dept of Health, and FSS Board Member for the East Baton Rouge Parish Housing Authority. She is the recipient of many awards statewide and nationally. In sparetime, she enjoys spending time with her family traveling, candle crafting, meditating, reading, writing, attending second lines and empowering others.