Today we’d like to introduce you to LaQuana L.APINK Alexander.
LaQuana Alexander (A.K.A. LA Pink) is a community advocate, mentor, and activist based in Atlanta. She began her journey in humanitarian work through her very own personal experiences of homelessness in Atlanta. While homeless herself she began feeding and clothing her neighbors and developed a deep passion for seeing lives restored. She saw firsthand the material, emotional, and spiritual needs of people caught in the cycle of homelessness and prayed that one day she could implement a support system for those facing such challenges. In 2016, LA Pink started Unity in Our Community ATL, a support system comprised of over 15 organizations with one common goal: to bring restoration to men, women, and children in need.
In the process, discerning a lack of high-quality, fashionable clothing for families and individuals seeking to better themselves but without the financial means to purchase such items, she soon founded the Community Boutique with LA Pink. Thousands of low-income Atlantans have been served annually through this aid organization, which, in addition to providing clothing, has expanded to include food distribution, mental health, education, personal grooming, hygiene, and housing assistance. The Community Boutique now has locations throughout the city, including Frederick Douglass High School and Fountain of Hope food bank. Her custom jewelry line, LA’s Creative Creations LLC, has become an integral part of this nonprofit work, with both the proceeds and the jewelry itself being given back to those in need through the Community Boutique. The Community Boutique with LA Pink—whose motto is “Empowering Dignity Through Fashion”—became a nonprofit 501(c)(3) in July 2020. If you would like to partner with LA Pink by donating or volunteering please contact her at info@thecommunityboutique.com or visit www.thecommunityboutique.com.
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?
I began my journey in humanitarian work through my very own personal experiences, obedience, and service to others. As a result of traveling this path, I have been inspired by and blessed with the gift of creativity; and I am the founder and CEO of L.A.’s Creative Creations. In my travels, I have witnessed the many needs of the homeless and disenfranchised individuals and families; the supportive needs longed for by me and far too many others. Through my own personal experiences, I intuitively knew that one day I would implement a support system for individuals and families in need; the homeless, hungry, and those just without the bare necessities and essentials to moderately function in life. Based on my journey, in June 2020, I filed my Articles of Incorporation for a nonprofit corporation, “The Community Boutique With LA PINK, Inc.”, (TCBWLAPI) was approved in the State of Georgia and I submitted my IRS application for nonprofit 501 (c) (3).
TCBWLAPI is a newly formed corporation and we envision strategically designing and developing afterschool educational resources, programs, services, and activities to identify and address gaps that will create successful outcomes for needy, and low income, marginalized individuals, families, children and youth. TCBWLAPI will outline a framework for coordinated and effective programs and services into a seamless continuum of care; cultivate resources, assist our target population in overcoming obstacles, and position them to achieve stability and become self-sufficient, productive, and contributing members of society. The mission of THE COMMUNITY BOUTIQUE WITH LAPINK, INC. is “To transform and restore lives for all individuals and families from birth to the elderly who are caught in the cycle of homelessness, no income/low income poverty, food/clothing/housing insecurities, other economic hardships, and despair, regardless of their color, culture, class, or age; and to serve with love, inspiration, and purpose; thereby, instilling hope and confidence for their futures improvement.”
Our specific focus and purposes are to: 1. Restore dignity to individuals stricken by poverty, in need, and facing numerous physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges by providing education, shelter, meals, clothing, personal grooming, toiletries, support, and systems of support; 2. Bring awareness to the community about the needs though corporate/business support systems to offer the unserved/underserved members of society the finest in quality fashion/attire through quality donated products and excellent service, and; 3. Any other activities that may surface to meet the development needs and comes within the perimeters of public and charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (C) 3 Internal Revenue Code. I graciously ask that you partner with me and join in to help fulfill our mission as the need is great.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
We teach, train, equip and empower individuals to function using the keys of the Kingdom of God. We give hand up not a hand out. We meet them where their at but we take them where were going to the top we’re too far from the bottom and the bottom is entirely too crowded. We Collectively come together to serve one purpose for God.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@thecommunityboutique.com
- Website: www.thecommunityboutique.com
- Instagram: @tcbwithlapink
- Facebook: the community Boutique with L.APINK
- Youtube: the community Boutique with L.APINK
- Phone: 678-984-9241
Image Credits
Fountain of hope CEO Pastor Martin Potratz Cort Hayes Don- Jodie Williams Brian Goldstone/Journalists Chief Magistrate judge Cassandra Kirk Frederick Douglass high school Sakia Franklin Jones/STEAM Restore Life/Danny Iverson Commissioner Larry Johnson of Dekalb County
