WHY.

Our mission is to promote mental wellness through advocacy and holistic approaches. The Healing Deck was created to invite you to join our communal healing journeys. This is a companion object to empower and inspire you as you begin physically, mentally and spiritually shifting your focus towards positive thoughts. Everyone is battling with something(s) that is preventing us from living our best lives. Today, I ask you to commit to shifting towards your healing.

— Laketa M. Smith

A New Orleans native and graduate of Loyola University New Orleans, Laketa serves as the Executive Director-Founder of A Bella LaFemme Society, Senior Editor & CEO of Educated Bella Publishing, LLC, & Regional Disaster Relief Specialist. She is planting seeds globally by pivoting to virtual/hybrid engagements. Laketa works diligently as an active member with organizations, VOTE, The Promise of Justice Initiative, Black Voters Matter, The New Endings & Opportunities Coalition , East Baton Rouge Parish Prison Reform Coalition, The Power Coalition, She Leads Alumni and more to put an end to The New Jim Crow Laws across the State of Louisiana. As a Statewide Organizer, Laketa also advocates for mental wellness throughout her multi facets of community engagements locally and internationally.

Laketa's latest appointments includes the honor of serving as a National Alumni Board Member for Leaders of Color, Vice President of The Friends of Capitol Park Museum Board of Directors, Junior League of Baton Rouge, HOLLYDAYS Solicitation Chair, East Baton Rouge Parish Housing Authority Family Self Sufficiency Program Coordinating Committee, The Louisiana Department of Health Review, Advise, and Inform Board (RAIB). Immediate 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 Cantrell's Office of Youth and Families as the Faciltator of The Mayor's Youth Advisory Council. This Council will focus on youth gun violence reduction and youth related issues. 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 and empowering others.

WHO.

Facilitation.

A professional framework that can be applied to any group of individuals to enhance clarity, evaluating choices, breakdown communication barriers, efficiently build strategies and increase engagement. This service is offered in intimate settings, large conferences, locally or internationally.

Rates varies according to program development.

Consultation.

Editing.

This process involves a Trifold approach to ensure project assessments are effectively reviewed and free of all errors. This includes, developmental, copy and proofreading edits. All manuscripts less than 200 pages in any genre are now being accepted. Standard review turnarounds are usually between 7-14 days. Rates begin at $200 an hour. All submissions require a minimum of an hour consultation prior to submission.

A professional methodology that uses a 3-Point Approach: Diagnostics • Plan Development • Post Evaluation • This approach can be utilized in any project phase of any sector. Rates begin at $175.00 an hour.