LaToyia Dennis is the founder of A Chance to Learn, a nonprofit created to combat the issue of children entering kindergarten a step behind. AC2L focuses on building skills that are important for children from birth to 5 years old, as well as comprehensive programs that promote high-quality school readiness and improve children’s chances of achieving future educational success and becoming productive members of society.
Rolling out recently spoke with the dynamic and savvy wife and mother to discuss her climb to the top and her breakthrough moment in which she discovered her life’s purpose.
Walk us through your journey to success. How did you get to this point?
Despite my best efforts not to sound cliché, I must say that I made it to this point through good old-fashioned hard work and by God’s grace. However, it wasn’t until I became a mom that I tapped into my true purpose.
My son had just turned 2, and one day he sat down in my lap and began to tell me that one of his cousins could not read. I tried to explain to him that every 2-year-old isn’t able to read and that he was exposed to reading through early childhood education. Of course he was a little confused so I had to get real and tell him that daycare and preschool are very expensive and that everyone could not afford it. He looked me in my eyes and said, “You and Daddy should pay for all kids to go to school to learn to read because if they can’t read, then they can’t read their Bible.” And it was in that moment that I knew that I had a responsibility to ensure that I not only help to advance early childhood learning, but also expose more children that did not have the access to educational opportunities. That is how A Chance to Learn was born: a simple conversation in 2011 was birthed into my life’s mission. My goal is to ensure that children are ready for kindergarten and that parents understand the importance of parental engagement in our schools.
What do you do to stay on top of your game?
I stay on top of my game by investing in myself, facing my fears and surrounding myself with people who encourage and support me. I also believe the best way to stay on top of your game is to stay true to yourself. You are your most valuable resource and so are your relationships.
How do you balance your personal life with your professional?
Finding balance is truly a decision. It is so easy to get caught up on your to do list, or what someone else would like you to do. Technology makes it even harder with 24-hr access to emails and texts. Before you know it, you’ve missed dinner and the wonderful stories about what happened that day. I find it easier to balance my personal and professional life when I honor my priorities. It’s not just about my husband, son and business…..it’s my relationship with Christ, my commitment to myself, and my desire to serve others.
What advice would you give to a budding entrepreneur or career woman?
I have found that passion makes complacency uncomfortable. Do what you love. Be passionate. I am talking about the kind of passion explained in Webster’s dictionary, “a powerful emotion with boundless enthusiasm.” I would also encourage them to find positive people that truly support them and their dreams.
What does being a BOSS mean to you?
My definition of a BOSS is someone that strives to fulfill personal goals while encouraging others to do the same.
For more information about LaToyia Denns, please visit www.www.www.achancetolearn.com or follow her on Twitter at @AChancetoLearn
The BOSS Network is a community of career and entrepreneurial women who support each other through conversation, online and event-based networking. Their mission is to promote and encourage the small business spirit and professional development of women. For more information on The BOSS Network, please visit www.thebossnetwork.org.
