Today we’d like to introduce you to Larita Rice-Barnes.
Hi Larita, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
This question in so many ways feels so loaded. I say this because where I am today is greatly contributed to my mother and grandmother. I was raised in the home with two strong, Black women. Women who I saw give to others through their time, talent and monetary treasures every day. My grandmother who I affectionately called Gramma was one of the grandmothers that fed and clothed so many families in our neighborhood and beyond. These two women were just pure and kind-hearted individuals. These traits were some of the ones that begin to shape my life at a very early age. These traits still today guide me in my everyday decisions. My mother was a very dedicated mother as a little girl and still is today. She loves deeply and very intently.
My grandmother was no different. My grandmother passed away in 2003. Losing the Matriarch of the family definitely shifted us in a way that forced many of us into deeper levels of maturity. We most certainly developed a greater appreciation for life. One of the sayings that the Holy Spirit gave me several years ago is “I Woke Up To Purpose”. What that means to me is that no matter how loud the world around me may be screaming for me to do this or that, I am reminded that I have specific work to do. There is a call and assignment on my life that is unique and ordained by God and I must stay focused. Every day I get up I am intentional about Living my life to the fullest and with purpose.
My journey has been filled with many transitions. There were many roads that led me to the place I am today. I am grateful for my faith in God. Faith has been a sustainer. With Faith, I believe all things are possible. This belief allows me to get up every day with a new determination.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road by all means have not been smooth. As I mentioned previously, I grew up in a single-family home with my mother and grandmother. I was born and raised in urban community in a city called E. St. Louis, Illinois. The community was a decline growing up in the 70s and still is disenfranchised and under-resourced.
We didn’t have much money. I’m not even sure that we fell in the class of the working poor. However, our basic needs were always met. My grandmother was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver. The doctors had given up on her and was expecting her to die at any time. This was a very scary moment for our family. I remember us calling for one of the local preachers to come and pray for her.
My mom and I were her primary caregivers. Through the power of prayer, love, and nurturing, we watched my grandmother be restored back to perfect health. The doctors were amazed. Her liver was miraculously restored and she lived about 18 years longer. Somewhere during this time, my mother fell victim to the war on drugs in our community. She became addicted to crack. The addiction lasted throughout my junior high school years up until I was in my 30s.
It was a very challenging time during these years for our family. As I’ve grown older, I know that systemic oppression played a major part in the deprivation of our community, the lack of jobs and resources and the plague of the “crack epidemic”. My mother was delivered from drugs. My grandmother passed away without ever seeing the fullness of the manifestation of her prayers. She prayed that my mother would be delivered and she was. Today my mother is a prayer, intercessor and mother figure to many both young and old.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
To many, I am known as a gatekeeper, a prayer warrior, an activist and a change agent. I believe some of this is made apparent by living my calling out loud. Living out loud no matter if it calls me to the board room, the city council meetings, the boarders where many are denied access to basic necessities or to the courtroom standing with those who have fell victim to the criminal justice. My charge in life is to provoke people into their destinies. It is my duty and calls to be impactful and a catalyst for change.
One of my proudest moments is being a mom, now a wife and a grandmother. I am a first generational high school and college graduate. I am proud of how my family have evolved. I am also proud of my latest book My Pink Stilettos. It was released in the middle of the declared global pandemic COVID-19 in October 2020, The book Commemorates Breast Cancer Awareness Month. My Pink Stilettos features my powerful story of overcoming and the harrowing tales of how 17 women came together from across the globe during a global pandemic to pen this masterpiece.
We are a diverse group of women representing 5 Continents. Africa, Europe, Asia, South America, and North America. Each one of us brings our own unique style and flavor. We have different ways of dressing. We have accents and different styles of writing and spelling, but our messages are unified.
I think some of the things that set me apart is my ability to be diverse and radically creative. I’m not necessarily married to any man-made rules, however, I love structure. I don’t like to live inside of a box. I would like to believe I’m a break the box and create a circle kind of girl. In most cases, I can be super spontaneous but yet rigid when I need to be. I cross racial and religious divides. I’m working on ecumenical work a global perspective. I’m doing this through a faith-based organizing lens.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I don’t believe in luck. I believe preparation plus opportunity equals success. More importantly, I believe in divine providence.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.resetyourlife2.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laritarocksrice/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larita.rice
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larita-rice-barnes-786b9944
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/LaritaRice?fbclid=IwAR1HnmcBWOMxdp3Mlv6ucbk-AysZY-KQfIarlJfLAO1sIs2Lczg4zJitbaY
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsFmqYPxOgOuTyK7m5b6diA?view_as=subscriber
Image Credits
Larita
