Lateefat, the Social Advocate!

Lateefat’s lived experiences of bullying in the academic community, where she served as a lecturer during her early work career, is one of her motivations to stand at the forefront of any kind of injustice for young females in and outside of academia. As a young lecturer, her situation broadly defined her as “never give up” notwithstanding her gender status. She continues to use her position as a thought leader in providing soft skills and tools of empowerment in liberating people going through oppression, discrimination, coercive control, and abuse. As a Pan-Africanist, Lateefat casts a niche in Africa’s transformation pathway by founding One Young African, a storytelling company established to enhance literacy and promote Indigenous education through stories, African oral traditions, and culture.

She is a member of the National Organization for Arts in Health, United States Green Building Council of California, YOUNGO UNFCC, Society of Community Research and Action Division 27 of the American Psychological Association, and Co-Chair of African American Business Resource Group at Atlantic Health System, New Jersey.

She pioneered a moonlight storytelling initiative using African Oral Tradition and Folktales to promote community care, collective healing, holistic wellness, and engagement. This was the first of its kind! She resonated with Africa’s renaissance through her work by deploying creative processes rather than the usual “freedom fighting” approach. She loves to see Africa thrive and not struggle. She is one of Africa’s most influential scholar-activist and public interventionist.