HRM Queen Shanta Lana Hereford shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Shanta Lana, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
Truth is… I’m definitely walking a path.
But every now and then, I do wander—not because I’m lost, but because I like to explore what else is out there.
I don’t believe in being so tunnel-visioned that I miss the beauty, the lessons, or the unexpected blessings along the way.
Wandering keeps me open, aware, and in tune with more than just one way forward.
So yes, I’m on a path.
But I’m also wise enough to know that sometimes, wandering is part of the walk.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
First of all, I want to thank VoyageATL for the follow-up interviews and interest in my work. Since our last interview, much has changed, yet many things are the same. My title has now changed to Her Royal Majesty Queen Shanta Lana Hereford, and I proudly serve as the Matriarchal Monarch of the Nation of Cherut—a free and independent global community with a shared purpose and vision founded on the pillars of Spirituality, Self-Determination, Self-Care, Sustainability, and Solidarity.
As the founder of Shanta Lana LLC, I am still a global business development strategist helping small to medium enterprises (SMEs) with formation, branding, marketing, and global expansion. Although I am still very hands-on with the Center for Truth and Healing (CFTH), a 501c3 nonprofit based here in Georgia, we recently appointed a new Executive Director, Ms. DeNiece Freeman, to spearhead our programs and services. I am still at The HYPE Magazine and still one of the Managing Partners of Maverick Global Distribution.
What makes my work unique is that it bridges both ancestral wisdom and vision—combining global enterprise with cultural sovereignty and spiritual leadership. Whether I’m supporting grassroots startups such as La Chaise Innovations and Shalam Transport and Logistics Company through investment, curating empowering local community events for underserved communities, or connecting the dots to build our global community, my focus is always on restoring power and purpose back to our people.
Right now, I’m working on several exciting initiatives, including The Power of 33—a new anthology book featuring 33 changemakers from around the world sharing their stories to teach readers that where there’s a will, there’s a way! I’m also preparing for the premiere of our documentary, A Taste of East Memorial Drive, co-produced by Hush Vision Films and hosted by Brinca the Equalyer, which highlights the cuisine, culture, and community in one of the most popular corridors in DeKalb County, Georgia. At the heart of everything I do is a commitment to justice, peaceful living, and generational impact. Through partnerships with leaders and organizations like the Black Achievement Fund, The Black Chambers, the National Alliance for Black Business, The Brantley Foundation,The African Diaspora Collective, SeedLife Foundation, the Reves African Youth and Children Development Foundation, DeKalb Community Resource Network, and many others, I’m honored to help build a global movement for Black excellence, education, and enterprise.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that has served its purpose is the hard shell I once carried—the part that felt like I had to always be strong, guarded, and resilient just to survive. That hardness protected me, shaped me, and helped me build what I’ve built. But now, I’m choosing to release it.
I no longer need to lead from defense. I am learning to live more softly, to lead from a place of peace, alignment, and spiritual wholeness. I trust that I am divinely protected—and that softness is not weakness, but a deeper kind of strength.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that’s held me back the most is showing up fully as my authentic self on social media. As someone who’s built a strong professional reputation, I’ve sometimes felt torn between the need to maintain a polished public image and the desire to be more open, more real, more raw, more me.
There’s a part of me that wonders—will people respect the full version of who I am? Will it confuse them to see both the leader and the woman behind the title? But I’ve come to realize that authenticity is power. And the more I lean into that truth, the more I find freedom. I’ do my best to just show up as I am, not just for others—but for myself.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
One important truth that many people tend to disagree with me on is that both major political parties—Democrats and Republicans—are ultimately not what’s best for the American people or the world. I believe they are two wings of the same bird, often working together to maintain power rather than truly solve the issues that affect everyday people.
I’ve always felt that politics should be about the people, not the parties. Real leadership should focus on what truly matters: education, healthcare, employment, economics, agriculture and food security, environmental protection, and climate resilience. These are universal needs—regardless of race, age, gender, or political affiliation.
My views may challenge the mainstream narrative, but I believe that once we take off the party labels and focus on the issues, we’ll see we have more in common than we’re led to believe.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I believe the part of my legacy that may be most misunderstood is my role as the Queen of the Nation of Cherut. In North America—especially within modern Western frameworks—the idea of a woman serving as a sovereign monarch isn’t widely accepted or easily understood. But throughout history, across every continent, women have ruled nations, led empires, and guided their people with both strength and wisdom.
From Queen Nzinga of Angola, to the Queen of Sheba in ancient Ethiopia, to Clan Mothers of the Iroquois Confederacy who helped shape governance and law, to powerful women rulers in Asia like Empress Wu Zetian of China—herstory is rich with examples of divine feminine leadership.
I know that people may not always fully grasp the spiritual, cultural, and ancestral significance of what I’ve been chosen to do. But I also know that women make phenomenal leaders. We lead with compassion, vision, and intuition. And in this season—one marked by global unrest, transition, and transformation—we need more women to rise up and take their rightful place in leadership.
My legacy may challenge convention, but it is grounded in ancient truth. I stand in full awareness of who I am and what I’ve been chosen to build.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nationofcherut.org
- Instagram: @shantalana
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/shantalana
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/nationofcherut
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@NationofCherut
