Meet Lea Hortman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lea Hortman.

Hi Lea, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am from Milwaukee, WI, one of the worst cities for black/brown children to be raised. Here I am born and raised and blooming. I’m from the North Side, where the themes of poverty, low self-esteem, and violence greet the doorsteps of black and brown girls each day. Growing up, God has shown me I had a sphere of influence with girls my age. They would ask me for advice, want to hear my perspective, or call me to pray! At 15, I gave my life to God, and he has been taking off ever since. My mentorship journey started at 18 in World Outreach Bible Training Center, where I served as youth assistant and peer mentor, showing youth my age how to have crazy faith. I grew older and seen different gaps in my community of leaders who would stand as pillars for young women my age and younger. I founded Under My Wing, Inc. Mentoring Nonprofit 2015, which served as a safe space for young girls to be developed in their character, relationships, and life-skills.

Over the years, through this nonprofit, I have been able to serve at-risk youth who have had adverse childhood experiences (abuse, severe bullying, poverty-stricken homes, etc.). Being once that same little girl, God gave me the anointing that I had when I was little and positioned me to be the trail-blazing mentor I am today. Serving over 200+ girls, 10+ schools, and two conferences, we are now expanding beyond Wisconsin virtually we’ve connected with girls in New York, Mississippi, and Florida. As I began to grow and develop my personal brand, I was able to see the gifts I have in writing, speaking, and teaching and evolved from there. It has been a blessing to use my spoken word as a tool to heal and to connect to people through my transparency and faith, where I published my first book! (No Edits, a journey of transparency/transformation). I started hosting events, and safe spaces for women to heal, be inspired, and begin to start walking a purpose-filled life, just creating exactly what God told me to do all while working, in school, and running a nonprofit.

In 2019 I was restless from working job to job and trying to figure it all out. I had just completed my undergraduate degree, a few internships, and going on my fourth year of being a case manager. I told God I wanted more, and he has shown me how to transfer all of my case-management, social-work, and creative skills to help activate the entrepreneur’s faith, purpose, and brand. In a pandemic, I birthed a new dimension of purpose to teach women strategy around their faith, to fuel their purpose and build a limitless brand, I launched League 28. League 28 serves as a firm where female entrepreneurs can make history with their brands. Through group coaching, branding services, and a history-making community, a movement is being birthed. I recently relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina, to see God activate my purpose in a new land. I am here to connect with women who want to follow their purpose, walk-in unstoppable faith, and make history with their brand. This is a piece of my journey and I am excited to continue to be creative and connect with others. Thank you for letting me share pieces of me! I am that hood girl who is going GLOBAL! Thank you for allowing my story to become our story!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The obstacles and challenges I have faced were people putting me in a box! People not trusting the God I serve. Some people know your past and can’t see you beyond what you have been through. Some of the struggles have been turning down the noise of people watching and turning up the voice of God who has been instructing me. Other struggles have been finances or finding a solid team. I think as I grow and learn more about where God is taking me these things become easier and easier. Especially in the beginning, it was hard to find people to hear the vision and walk with me as I cast it. One of the major obstacles that I had to learn was it was within me. I had to learn how to stop looking at other people for a blueprint of what God told me to do and know that God gave these thoughts to me to be the blueprint to be for other people. So things are becoming smooth.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I transform mindsets, build brands, and provide business strategies for women in purpose and on the road to making history with their brands! I specialize in teaching women how to obtain limitless faith, pushing them to purposeful birth brands, and live an intentional life. I’m called to serve young girls to build character & build faith! I am known for crazy faith, inspiring my community and mentoring #herfavoritementor was birthed from mentoring girls and women in my community. My village knows you can find me pre covid-19 ministering transparency poetry at your local open mic! Using my storytelling to heal and connect with other people. I am most proud of enjoying the process of growth. As Philippians 4:11-13 says Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. I believe what sets me apart from others is radical faith, most people think crazy, I believe crazy.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
My solid rock is my mother! Her seed of showing me how to love and be in a relationship with God has truly played a huge part in my life’s journey. She is a huge piece of who I am today. I am grateful for her sacrifice and the love she has shown my family. When I was younger, I had a mentor Erin Breen, for a few years, who shortly passed after entering my life. She once was my guardian angel on earth, but now she is my guardian angel in heaven; this is how my Nonprofit was born. Under My Wing, Inc. I’m so ever thankful for the ministry of Pastor Skip and Melva Henderson World Outreach Bible Training Center, which became a safe haven for me and my cousins and whoever else I could bring to church growing up; we were all in the TRAP headed to see about Jesus.

As I transitioned into adulthood, I have had some beautiful mentors Quianna Mcgee, Erica-Hood- Vincent, and my current pastor, Doctor Robert Randolph of Kingdom Faith Fellowship Church. Each of these individuals has been a significant support system in my spiritual development, from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset and more. Last but not least, I can’t forget my tribe of brothers Ajamou Butler, Marquan Woodly, Eric Neal, and my all-time favorite Christopher Hortman. My oldest Brother has been the true example of perseverance for me growing up. As we faced adversity all of our lives, and even continue to face adversity Chris, is such a Game Player, literally. He has shown me how to overcome, how to press forward, and how to do what l love to do! I can’t name everyone, but my village is strong and I am grateful for them all.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: leavpoetry.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/leavpoetry
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeaVPoetry

Image Credits:
Orange Fluffy Picture: Taken By Jamie Robarge Photography