Founder Mikkita Moore
"I am reliving my truth"
Mikkita Moore, an author, International motivational speaker and mother of five, starting at the very young age of 14, from the South Side of Chicago. Mikkita is a retired, master stylist and cosmetology instructor. She has owned two successful hair salons over a period of 13 years and an event-planning company, Symply Plyzurez Eventz since 2004. She is now the Author of The Letter, From the Invisible Daughter as well as the Founder of The Art of Transparency Tour and The Art of Transparency, NFP Organization. The first book was published June of 2016 and the Tour started shortly thereafter in September of 2016. Mikkita also hosts an Internet Radio Show on Saturday afternoon, entitled The Art of Transparency Radio Show on the tabernacleradio.org station.
“The first book was started because I was in a very dark and negative place in my life. I knew I needed to release that hurt, pain and anger, however I didn’t want my life stories to be lost in a journal in a basement. I wanted my life stories to be something my children’s, children’s children could find and read for years to come. I wrote my book in my truth. We are constantly taught structure writing; everyday but I am not teaching structure with my book, I am talking about my life, I am reliving my truth. “
With my books I also wanted to reach my audience on a level that’s different from the rest. I needed to reach an audience that hasn’t heard about the Black girl from the south side of Chicago that wasn’t poor and not knowing where her next meal would come from. The girl that her mother wasn’t a drug addict, father wasn’t a drug pusher. I got tired of the stereo types that I had to be from this family or that kind of family because I had my children at 14 years old. My all-time favorite was the one that says teenage moms can’t raise their children affectively or the one that says teenage moms are all high school drop outs. That has never been a part of MY story.
My books are not about the average poor Black girl living in poverty. My books are about my life, from a perspective of a teenage mom that didn’t struggle, that didn’t drop out of high school but in fact graduated high school a year ahead of time with honors. My books are my life from a perspective that thought about suicide, went through domestic violence, emotionally mentally and physically. My books talk from a perspective of not feeling the love of a father searching for that type of love from boys/men that either couldn’t give it or just didn’t know how to give.
My books comes from real life situations that happens in our community far too often and completely over looked because it’s not society’s “norm” or is it the norm which is why no one is talking about it…..
After my first book I started a “book” tour entitled The Art of Transparency Tour. The tour gives other Authors, Speakers, “People” the platform to tell their stories to an audience of all kinds. The Art of Transparency mission is to provide a positive platform of personal testimony, we are healing ONE person, ONE city, ONE state, ONE nation at a time through The Art of Transparency!!! Needless to say it is no longer “Just” a book tour..… It’s a Healing Tour!!
While on tour, we would go into a shelter to simply share our testimony and give back to them in gifts. With each city we touched we left our presence in a shelter. Some of those shelters needed our help far beyond just coming in to talk and leave a care package. We never want to just be about talk….
Out of The Art of Transparency Tour birthed “The Art of Transparency, NFP. The organization will adopt a shelter per city we will help find funding, help by donating for funding, and of course go share love with them more than just the once a year that the tour is in that city.
The shelters that we have stepped into are Domestic Violence Survivors, Sex Trafficking Survivors, Homeless Families, Homeless Young Adults, etc… They need to know that we are there for them in any way that we can be.
The Art of Transparency prides itself on leadership and testimony. There are ladies on this team that has experienced each and every story of those in the shelters we visit. Our stories are to be told to help them realize that “this” is only temporary, and they too can make it out successfully.
Every dime of our donations goes to shelters we have visited or will visit. We purchase care packages, give monetary donations as well as contact state and city officials to help them with their funding needs.
I, Mikkita Moore as the CEO and Founder of The Art of Transparency, NFP Organization as well as The Art of Transparency Tour, for me being Transparent is the key to healthy living. I have learned that the story God gave each of us to live is only the testimony to help the next person behind us know that they too can make it….
Habakkuk 2:2-4- 2 Then the LORD answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. 4 “Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.
2023 Committee Leaders
Luberta Lytle- 2023 Tour Vice President
Latonya Willett- 2023 Tour Spiritual Leader & Community Program Coordinator #2
Latonya Willett- 2023 Tour Spiritual Leader & Community Program Coordinator #2
Luberta Lytle is a Christian Certified Life Coach and the owner/proprietor of L.L. Life Coaching Company. She is also the founder and executive director of Dorothy Johnson My Biggest Fan, NFP. In addition to her career as a life coach, she recently retired from working with the Illinois State Government after 32 years. She is currently se
Luberta Lytle is a Christian Certified Life Coach and the owner/proprietor of L.L. Life Coaching Company. She is also the founder and executive director of Dorothy Johnson My Biggest Fan, NFP. In addition to her career as a life coach, she recently retired from working with the Illinois State Government after 32 years. She is currently serving on the Board of Directors for the SAFE and CASA of Marion County Organization. She is also serving as an Ambassador for the Centralia Chamber of Commerce.
Before anything else, Ms. Lytle is a mother of three, grandmother of eleven, and just recently became a great-grandmother. Luberta lives in Centralia, IL.
She is an avid reader and enjoys taking walks in her spare time and her heart is fueled by a passion for inspiring and motivating women.
Luberta has proven her qualifications as a life coach
as she has reached several successes over the past
30+ years of her career and life with her family. She
has an MBA from Lindenwood University, a B.S. in Organizational Leadership from Greenville College, and a Practical Nursing Certification from Kaskaskia College.
Luberta is an author and co-author of several books. Just in case you hadn’t read, she just recently obtained another Amazon Best-Selling book title, plus an Amazon Best-Selling International book for her chapter in As For Me and My House. She became a 1st-time author after her first solo project called, Heal the Hurt.
During her writing career, Luberta penned a chapter in the Jabez Readers’ Choice Award-winning book, Millionaire M.O.M.: Living Dreams, Transforming Lives, and Defying the Odds of Teen Motherhood and co-wrote The She-Preneur Journey, and penned a chapter in the Amazon Best-Selling book #BossMoms.
Deservingly so, Ms. Lytle has recently accepted the role of Vice-President for AFSCME 31 Retiree Sub-Chapter. She received the BPW of Marion County Distinguished Women of the Year award and is currently traveling with and featured as one of the speakers with the Art of Transparency, NFP organization.
She lovingly shares her stories of overcoming, the various obstacles throughout her life. Her contribution to helping women change the trajectory of their life’s plans and goals has had enough impact to where everyone she encourages has made the first steps for change: obtaining a positive mindset.
Contact information:
www.lubertalytle.com | https://www.facebook.com/CoachBerta/ | 618-237-4130
Latonya Willett- 2023 Tour Spiritual Leader & Community Program Coordinator #2
Latonya Willett- 2023 Tour Spiritual Leader & Community Program Coordinator #2
Latonya Willett- 2023 Tour Spiritual Leader & Community Program Coordinator #2
Latonya Brown Willett, a Chicago native, born on the Westside of Chicago, is known to the reading and writing world as an 8-time author. She co-authored books that offers life lessons and motivation to women all over the world. Two of the 8 books co-authored are entitled, Because I Am More Than Just My Skin and The Birth to My Purpose.
In
Latonya Brown Willett, a Chicago native, born on the Westside of Chicago, is known to the reading and writing world as an 8-time author. She co-authored books that offers life lessons and motivation to women all over the world. Two of the 8 books co-authored are entitled, Because I Am More Than Just My Skin and The Birth to My Purpose.
In the the financial world, Latonya is known as The Money Lady. Her experience as a Financial Analyst has shaped and served her well with entrepreneurship. The Money Lady analyzes and presents budget plans, investment ideas, as well as provide insurance options.
Her 20 years of expertise in the financial industry and her previous background in nursing and sciences has been life-changing for her clients; so much so that she has won awards for her efforts and successes. Being recognized as one of the “100 Black Queen’s of Chicago” is not only a result of her hard work and dedication, but she is humbled with the opportunity to be a part of such an elite group of professional women!
Mrs. Willett did not just arrive at such an epitome of service through happenstance. Next to the youngest of 4 children, even with several siblings, she still wanted to give to others. As young as 4 years old, Latonya always had a caring heart for others. Because she wanted others to feel as much love and care as possible, she chose what worked; giving of her time, money she was given for birthdays and holidays, toys, and anything else she was able to offer.
As Latonya grew more mature, she continued a caring spirit, but had to conquer life along the way. By the age of 14, she had her first child and by the time she was 17 she had her second child. While struggling to keep up her grades and take care of 2 children with the support of only her older sister, her second child would eventually die at the age of 4 months old on Mother’s Day from SIDS. Only by the grace of God did
Latonya navigate her way through depression, suicide attempts, and still have a heart for those in need.
Four months after the death of her son, she met the man that would later become her husband. They have 2 sons together and 2 grandsons, one from the oldest and 1 from the middle son.
Latonya is the Outreach Director of her church as well as an ordained Evangelist, has her own Non Profit called Blessings From Heaven. She also helps her 22-year-old son run both of his businesses: Dance Characters and BopKing Larry Entertainment. The 2 of them travel to schools teaching the children about how money works and how they can become a business owner themselves.
Latonya, the real Comeback Queen, has grown to obtain a wealth of knowledge about life’s hardships, overcoming obstacles, business, wealth creation, and legacy building.
Contact:
Latonya Willett | LatonyaWillett@yahoo.com
Timothia Reid- 2023 Tour Secretary & Event Coordinator #1
Latonya Willett- 2023 Tour Spiritual Leader & Community Program Coordinator #2
Antoinette Seawood- 2023 Tour Member Liaison & Event Coordinator #2
Educator, book lover, and new author Timothia Reid is passionate about pretty much anything in print and improving the quality of life of children in her community. She has over 10 years of experience in the education field where she has worn many hats; such as teacher’s aide, substitute teacher, Title 1 aide, and classroom teacher. She h
Educator, book lover, and new author Timothia Reid is passionate about pretty much anything in print and improving the quality of life of children in her community. She has over 10 years of experience in the education field where she has worn many hats; such as teacher’s aide, substitute teacher, Title 1 aide, and classroom teacher. She has an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and a Master’s degree in Education with a concentration in Reading Literacy. Timothia is a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) in her county where she helps check in on children and families within the foster care system. She is on the Black Advisory Board and the 4th Grade Scholastic News Magazine Advisory Board for Scholastic where she shares her passion for books by providing teachers and students with resources that will improve the quality of literacy in classrooms.
She is also a speaker on the Art of Transparency Tour where she shares her story with those who are willing to listen and learn. Timothia currently lives in Illinois with her two children and in her free time she loves to spend time with them, read books, and enjoy life to the fullest. She has even ventured into acting in plays recently.
Antoinette Seawood- 2023 Tour Member Liaison & Event Coordinator #2
Latonya Willett- 2023 Tour Spiritual Leader & Community Program Coordinator #2
Antoinette Seawood- 2023 Tour Member Liaison & Event Coordinator #2
Antionette Seawood, a female entrepreneur & CEO of Naturally U'Nique LLC, U'Nique Getaways LLC & Be U'Nique Too Lashes. Such an innovator! Ms. Seawood aspires to become an international speaker, non-profit owner, and world traveler as a fashion stylist, worldwide.
Ms. Seawood, a former leader in manufacturing and logistics now speaks to t
Antionette Seawood, a female entrepreneur & CEO of Naturally U'Nique LLC, U'Nique Getaways LLC & Be U'Nique Too Lashes. Such an innovator! Ms. Seawood aspires to become an international speaker, non-profit owner, and world traveler as a fashion stylist, worldwide.
Ms. Seawood, a former leader in manufacturing and logistics now speaks to the world through her brand while uplifting and encouraging those to step out of their comfort zone into their destiny. She believes that what you’ve been through can cause stagnation, but perseverance leads to freedom. Do you dare to be different?
This thought process was the first step toward Ms. Seawood getting out of her own way. Now she is an international author, the owner of 2 LLC's, a designer, a motivator, a speaker, a mental health advocate, and a kid at heart.
She speaks the following words while teaching others: Find SERENITY and be who you were DESTINED to be! Be as TRANQUIL as the SEA, Rise, HOLD your HEAD High, grab ahold of those OBSTACLES & shine as bright as the SUN!! But in the midst of it all, Be U'Nique, Be YOU!
As a leader in her entrepreneurial space, it brings her joy knowing that she is able to help change the lives of others who may be consumed with issues and fears they have so that they can move toward success. This passion ignited as she overcame her own life traumas which tried to destroy her. However, she survived. She currently chooses to use her life experiences to support others.
Lastly, Ms. Seawood speaks personal affirmations daily and encourages others to do the same. A few more are: Life isn't over, but it's what we make of it! Look in the mirror and stare yourself dead in the eyes and say, those past traumas and heartbreaks will NOT break me! My time is NOW!So, I say to YOU Find SERENITY, keep pressing your way but, stay focused and DON’T forget to Be U’Nique and Getaway! And Until Next Time, continue being the creator of your dreams and the main character of your success story.
2023 Committee Leaders And Speakers
Keisha Heard- White- 2023 Tour Speaker
Keisha Heard- White- 2023 Tour Speaker
Keisha Heard- White- 2023 Tour Speaker
Keisha Heard- White.... Baking and corporate America was her life, but she knew her calling was more. She has always known her calling was more. Always being compassionate for people, specifically hurting and broken people. Always willing to help others despite her own pain and struggles. She always knew something was bigger in store for
Keisha Heard- White.... Baking and corporate America was her life, but she knew her calling was more. She has always known her calling was more. Always being compassionate for people, specifically hurting and broken people. Always willing to help others despite her own pain and struggles. She always knew something was bigger in store for her but never knew what the destination was or even the process it was going to take to become that person. Completing culinary arts school in 2010 and then completing her certification in management in 2014. She was determined to take the corporate world by storm. But even in climbing through different organizations and companies she still felt unfulfilled. Losing her husband on March 29, 2019 from alcoholism forged her into using all the compassion and needing to help people and learning how to put it to use. A fire lit inside of her to help people who were struggling with addiction. She became motivated to help people who struggled with identity issues as well. Who were not sure why they were created or what their next is? She shows people how to navigate through the most painful times in their lives and helps them find purpose. Turn pain into power. She has also had her struggles with infertility, loosing 2 kids at a early age. And losing her husband on the day she was supposed to start IVF, also inspired her to help other women who have dealt with infertility and let them know there is hope at the end of the rainbow. She intends to bring hope to millions of women and men and inspire change. To be a road map for someone else's healing.
Shumekia Pettiford- 2023 Tour Speaker
Keisha Heard- White- 2023 Tour Speaker
Keisha Heard- White- 2023 Tour Speaker
Shumekia “Meka” Pettiford is the CEO of NFP DivinityGemz and Owner/Operator of Shumek’ Enterprise, Inc. A profound advocate for Lymphoma Awareness, Multi-Centric Castleman’s Disease, Terminal Illness and mental health awareness. Shumekia started DivinityGemz in 2015, where she reaches out to women and families in or survived Domestic Viol
Shumekia “Meka” Pettiford is the CEO of NFP DivinityGemz and Owner/Operator of Shumek’ Enterprise, Inc. A profound advocate for Lymphoma Awareness, Multi-Centric Castleman’s Disease, Terminal Illness and mental health awareness. Shumekia started DivinityGemz in 2015, where she reaches out to women and families in or survived Domestic Violence. As herself, at one moment in life was riddled by a great deal of violence and unimaginable abuse. She managed to muscle up the courage to face this and
survive to be able to live to tell her story of making it out. Helping those that can’t find their way out through DivinityGemz. Meka is also a Plant Engineer at United Parcel Service (UPS), where she been for 9 years.
Shumekia is a single mother of three. She is a resident of Lansing IL. Naturally a writer of anything, a talent she recognized she had at a very early age writing poetry. Her writing talents won her a publication of a poem she wrote in 1999 for her brother. Who passed away at ten years old and she was 15 at the time of this tragic loss of really her only friend. She found Writing and music to be an outlet for her emptiness. Those two became a deep passion for her, an escape from the world.
She lives to be an inspiration and impact on someone, anyone. Shumekia carries a story of survival. Believing that she was given an assignment to deliver a testimony to those that living is more than just existing is embedded in the desires of this woman’s big heart.
In the business world, Shumekia is known for being the “Jack of all trades”. Ask her almost anything, she will tell you how to figure it out. So many entities under that umbrella of Shumek’ Enterprise, Inc.
Twenty-one years of service in the tax world, starting right after high school. Served over 120 clients a season. Helping people is what she loves to do. She wears so many hats. The eyebrow Queen, the cook, the travel agent, the scientist, the bartender, the engineer and her greatest position, her kids mother.
Raising them to know that they are not their story. She believes her story is theirs as well. They also had to live out that story to along with her.
Also, she will soon be an first time author of her own book that she named “The Birth, The Fall and The Redemption”.
In all, Ms. Shumekia is the one to be introduced to if you’re looking for a bright light to shine on your story. A gut wrenching story she holds of Abandonment, Domestic violence, unimaginable pain, abuse; Sickness and seeing death to close to bare. Would definitely give you hope that you can make it. A story that’ll teach you that there is a God that sits high and looks low.
Now, with her voice that was once taken from her many years ago, has found her again to be able to say it all. Today, she speaks, she laughs loud, tells jokes, even her being serious is hilarious. I believe she missed her beat in the comedy world. Even in her silent moments, her energy speaks volumes.
Shumekia is the nothing short of a miracle and blossomed into something that she never believed she would live long enough to see. Proudly living everyday with her health, her strength and that confidence she had to resurrect from the dirt and build again. In the words of Ms. Shumekia “Meka” Pettiford, the world’s greatest Hashtag that she knows is #GODISABLE….
