A Beacon of Perseverance, Empowerment, and Resilience

In a world where adversity can be overwhelming, La Toya Barrington stands as a shining example of perseverance, strength, and determination. As a Black woman and a single mother, she has faced a multitude of challenges, but her spirit has allowed her to rise above them and inspire those around her.

La Toya's journey began in the school corridors where she endured bullying and racism from kindergarten to grade 12. Being one of the few, if not the only, Black students in her school made her a target, but she refused to let these experiences define her. Instead, she used her creativity to combat prejudice. In 2006, she wrote and produced a play titled "I Have a Dream," shedding light on the challenges faced by individuals with melanin-rich skin. Her remarkable talent earned her two awards for creative writing at the Jr. Black Achievement Awards, a testament to her ability to inspire through storytelling.

Not content with being confined to any single role, La Toya briefly ventured into the world of runway modeling, challenging stereotypes and showcasing her beauty and confidence to the world.

As a young mother with three beautiful children by the age of 24, La Toya's journey took a challenging turn. Financially unprepared, La Toya decided to leave an abusive relationship which, when coupled with the responsibilities of motherhood, posed insurmountable challenges. At the same time, La Toya lost her employment and finding work that accommodated her needs as a single mother was a struggle. She found herself on welfare, teetering on the edge of homelessness, facing utility cutoffs and empty cupboards. Through it all, she grappled with depression, anxiety, ADHD, and Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD), all untreated at the time, compounding her hardships. 

Despite these daunting circumstances, La Toya refused to be a statistic. She embarked on a journey of resilience, beginning with odd jobs and chores for friends, family, and her community. Over time, she became the go-to person for help, building a reputation for her work ethic and determination. This journey was not without its setbacks, as in 2022, La Toya was she struck by Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), a debilitating long-term illness that left her bedridden for nearly a year, due to having had a bad reaction to a Covid infection. She currently still battles with ME.

Today, La Toya has single-handedly built a successful business from scratch, growing it to an impressive quarter-million-dollar enterprise. After battling 2 decades of domestic abuse, she is a vocal advocate for domestic abuse awareness, working to support both men and women affected by this issue. Her community knows her not only for her professional success but also for her empathy and generosity. La Toya makes it her mission to give back to the community that has supported her throughout her journey, offering stable employment and hope to individuals facing similar challenges as she once did.