Today we’d like to introduce you to La Toya Grow.
Hi La Toya, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I first fell in love with writing as a high school student. From there, in college I was a part of the Maroon & White Newspaper. It was the campus newspaper for Alabama A&M University. Up to that point, I had only written poetry, essays, interviews and articles. My junior year of college, I became pregnant and had to leave school to work full-time. After becoming a mom, I turned my attention towards God and decided I would be more intentional about serving in my church home. That was the start of me learning to write stage plays. I joined our then newly formed drama ministry, first as an actor, but as faith and knowledge in God’s word grew, so did my ability to write grew. After serving under three drama leaders over the course of about five years, I took over the ministry and in that position, God nourished my gift. For nearly ten years, I wrote and produced monthly plays for service that ranged from 4-10 minutes. Serving God in this way was my refuge through the toughest years of my life. Single motherhood kicked my ass often! My situation was textbook toxic. Despite the years passed, the continual efforts to remain unproblematic, dysfunctional co-parenting was the failure that held me bound for years. I didn’t let it keep me down though! The life I have now was definitely fought for. I fought to prove to myself that my purpose didn’t consist of being a stereotype, nor did my circumstances define me. I finished school and set my sights on becoming an accomplished author.
My church season ended, but God was not finished using my writing. In 2015 wrote the stage play that became my first full production. It was the first time in years that my writing was not religious. I was scared and unsure, but it was a great success. I believe God needed me to trust the range of my writing in preparing me for what I believe is likely the most important and necessary writing I will do. After the play, I went on to publish my first two children’s books and a book of gospel plays. Then in 2021, I published my first memoir, “Raising My Manchild; Confronting the Taboo of Baby Mama Drama”. This season of my story is a milestone! I have an important purpose to be a light in this world, specifically in the market of single mothers and women who struggle or have struggled to bloom into their fullest self.
As an author, I’m committed to being a voice for those who sometimes find it challenging to project their own. I am unapologetically holding up space in a way that encourages and inspires. I’m an example that when you are self-aware and own your presence, you give yourself creative control over your storyline and how it plays out.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been anything but easy! It took me ten years to finish earning my undergraduate degree. I was almost 3o when I finally started my professional career. Not to mention the obstacles of raising my son in the absence of his sperm donor and all the trauma that came along with that. Nope, easy wasn’t a part of my testimony. However, I respect everything I had to go through to get to this place in life.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an Author and Playwright. My first published book, “True Witness”, is a compilation of short gospel plays from my time as Director of True Witness Drama Ministry, a ministry I lead at church. In 2016, I published my first stage play, Awaken the Glory. In 2017, I released “Luci the Love Bug” and “Alice Leaves the Palace”, my first two children’s books. Both are moral-based stories of imagination that teach kids lessons about being good humans in this world. “Raising My Manchild, Confronting the Taboo of Baby Mama Drama”, my fourth title and first memoir, is a testament to my resilience and an ode to positive single mothers fighting to champion their own stories. Following up to Raising My Manchild, I birthed “You Grow Girl”, an extension to my brand that includes a therapy-based workbook for single moms, a statement tee, greeting cards to encourage your home girl and affirmation wristbands.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
In therapy just this week, my counselor asked me “what’s the hardest part of making a change that would benefit you?” My answer was “the actual act of changing.” Action can definitely be an obstacle. My brand hasn’t been exposed to nearly as many people as it should because I often battle with imposter syndrome and fear of healthy shamelessness. However, I do give myself credit for doing “it” scared. Though my pace sometimes feels like a slow crawl, I have a definite refusal to give up because I know I have insight and influence that specific people in this world need. You also have something that someone else needs. So make up your mind to show up for yourself in a way that applies action. Do it, even if you have to do it slow and/or scared. You are not the only one doing it that way!
Pricing:
- Raising My Manchild 17.95
- You Grow Girl Journal 14.99
- You Grow Girl T-Shirt 19.99
- You Grow Girl Greeting Card 5.00
- Affirmation Wristband 3.00
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tdotgrow.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/authortdotgrow
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/authortdotgrow1
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/authortdotgrow
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/authortdotgrow
Image Credits
Headshot photo of T. Grow by Dokk Savage Photography
