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Dr. LaRhonda is a certified Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging instructor, EQi-2.0 Coach, and a Licensed Professional School Counselor. Her resilience, honed through overcoming formidable challenges, includes assuming custody of her younger siblings at the age of nineteen. She not only raised and cared for them but also navigated through personal hardships with grace and determination.
A distinguished alumna of Tennessee State University, Dr. LaRhonda holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Nonprofit Management and Leadership. Subsequently, she earned a Master’s in Professional School Counseling and a Doctorate of Education in Leadership and Professional Practices. Her dissertation, “Teacher Expectations and Perceptions of the School Counselor’s Role,” underscores her dedication to advancing the field.
Dr. LaRhonda’s contributions extend to various publications, where her insights enrich discussions on topics ranging from the experiences of Black women to the effectiveness of group counseling among children of parents with mental illness.
Recognized for her impactful work, Dr. LaRhonda has served as a keynote speaker at numerous events and received accolades such as the “Step It Up Award” and the prestigious “40 under 40 Award” in 2021. Her dedication to public education and commitment to empowering women and youth are exemplars of her resiliency.
In both her personal and professional life, Dr. LaRhonda has three children—Lydia, Lorenzo (a cherished memory), and Rubin Jr. Beyond her professional pursuits, Dr. LaRhonda finds solace in exploring diverse cultures and cuisines, writing, enjoying music and movies, and relishing outdoor activities. Her journey underscores a profound belief: despite upbringing and circumstances, she did not allow her past to define or discourage her. Dr. LaRhonda views her earlier seasons as necessary preparation for the fulfilling life she now embraces, and she remains resolute in her dedication to empowering women and youth to persevere and envision beyond their immediate circumstances.
Dr. LaRhonda graduated from Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN, with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Nonprofit Management and Leadership. She then continued to receive a Master’s in Professional School Counseling and a Doctorate of Education in Leadership and Professional Practices. Her dissertation titled “Teacher Expectations and Perceptions of the School Counselor’s Role” examined teacher perceptions and expectations about the role of school counselors in various school districts. Dr. LaRhonda participated in several publications, including “Truth Be Told: Narratives from the Souls of Black Women,” “Teacher Perceptions and Expectations of Professional School Counselors,” to which she was awarded the winner of the 14th Annual Psychology Department Research Symposium, “Lessons Before the Blessing,” “A.S.V.A.B.: Helping Students Make A Choice,” and “Effectiveness of Group Counseling Among Children of Parents with Mental Illness.”
In 2016, Dr. LaRhonda was the keynote speaker for the Powered Up Youth Rally and Seminar, Her Testimony, Raising Young Queens, and B.E.S.T. graduation, a program dedicated to revitalizing women who were serving time in Tennessee Women’s Prison. That same year, Dr. LaRhonda received the “Step It Up Award” for stepping up and volunteering her time and resources with youth in the Juvenile Justice Detention Center. In 2018, she was the keynote speaker for Y.A.N.A Women’s Empowerment Brunch, and in 2021, she was the keynote speaker for the annual Mother and Daughter Experience Brunch. In 2021, Dr. LaRhonda received the “40 under 40 Award” and a blog post recognition from Metro Nashville Public Schools, showcasing her dedication to the public school system.
Dr. LaRhonda has been known for her resiliency and relentless work in public education and the Tennessee Women’s Prison and Juvenile Justice Center. She has three beautiful children, Lydia, Lorenzo (angel baby), and Rubin jr. In 2022, Dr. LaRhonda suffered a term stillborn with her second child, her first son, Lorenzo. Dr. LaRhonda is in the beginning stages of creating a nonprofit to remember and honor her son, Lorenzo, and creating a platform to provide support, resources, and a space for Black women to discuss their birthing stories openly. In her free time, Dr. LaRhonda enjoys exploring new cultures and food, writing, listening to music, watching movies, outdoors, and spending time with her children.
Dr. LaRhonda believes despite her upbringing and circumstances. She didn’t allow those experiences to define or discourage her. Dr. LaRhonda believes those seasons were preparation for the future that she is currently living.
Therefore, she is committed to empowering women and youth to seek beyond what they see and continue to persevere.
Trusting ourselves can be a difficult journey, but it’s one that is worth taking. When we learn to trust ourselves, we gain a sense of empowerment and confidence that can help us navigate life’s challenges with more ease and grace. Through my own journey of self-discovery, I have learned the importance of listening to my inner voice and trusting my intuition. It hasn’t always been easy, but the rewards have been immeasurable. I now feel more grounded and centered in who I am and what I want out of life. I encourage others to take the leap of faith and trust themselves, as it can lead to a more fulfilling and authentic life.
